{"id":886794,"date":"2026-06-15T11:53:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T15:53:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/?p=886794"},"modified":"2026-06-26T00:09:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T04:09:07","slug":"chicago-design-week-workplaces-that-help-people-think-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/research\/articles\/topics\/collaboration\/chicago-design-week-workplaces-that-help-people-think-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Design Week: Workplaces That Help People Think Better"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago Design Week brought together thousands of people from across the world to explore new ideas shaping the future of work \u2013 and this year, Steelcase and its community of brands were recognized with several industry awards for design excellence. The energy extended across Design Week at Fulton Market Design Days and the Merchandise Mart, where Steelcase and partner brand showrooms created a connected experience that showcased how thoughtful design can help people think better.<\/p>\n

Steelcase offered solutions to a challenge many organizations are quietly struggling with: people are overwhelmed. The pace of work, constant digital stimulation and the rapid adoption of AI tools are reshaping how people think, focus and connect. But the workplace hasn\u2019t kept up in supporting what people need to do their best thinking. Cognitive overload is no longer a personal issue. It\u2019s a business issue. And it\u2019s changing what people need from the places where work happens.<\/p>\n

A new lens on workplace performance<\/h2>\n

As part of Design Days, Steelcase introduced new ideas and solutions that offer \u201cergonomics for the brain.\u201d Visitors to the Steelcase showroom could move through a variety of spaces that support different needs our brains have throughout the day, such as the ability to sustain attention and do deep-focus work, to create social connections that help people manage stress, places to move that help boost creative collaboration, or areas to take a \u201cbrain break\u201d and reenergize.<\/p>\n

When people have inviting places to gather or pause, connection happens naturally \u2013 and those human moments are essential to our health and wellbeing. For instance, the modular lounge collection Viccarbe Missiva uses a mix of sofas, chairs and poufs to fit any space and support the quick resets and social interactions that help people think more clearly throughout the day. Spaces like these are essential for human interaction.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Missiva earned a HiP Award in the Workplace: Lounge Collection category, underscoring its role in supporting restorative, social moments.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why brain health matters now more than ever<\/h2>\n

The complexity of modern work is stretching people\u2019s cognitive capacity. Screens dominate our days. Notifications compete for attention. AI tools accelerate decision\u2011making. In this environment, community isn\u2019t a \u201cnice to have,\u201d it\u2019s a stabilizing force for the organization.<\/p>\n

Throughout Design Week at Fulton Market Design Days, Steelcase and its community of brands showcased environments designed to reduce cognitive load and support the full spectrum of work. Several products were recognized for their contributions to better thinking and better work. HALCON Vesper earned three Best of NeoCon Gold Awards \u2014 in casegoods\/desk, storage and height\u2011adjustable tables \u2014 and HALCON Ferra received an Innovation Award. Designtex Amble was also honored with a HiP Award in the Health + Wellness: Fabric + Wall Coverings category. Together, these recognitions highlight the breadth of innovation across the Steelcase family and the shared commitment to creating workplaces that support people\u2019s cognitive wellbeing.<\/p>\n\"\"

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When small rooms make it hard for people to feel connected, hybrid meetings can drain cognitive energy fast. Ocular\u2122 Shift is designed to change that. This compact, purpose\u2011built desk brings the right tech and positioning into tight spaces so conversations feel clearer, more natural, more human and more supportive.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t

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When people can see and hear each other clearly, hybrid meetings stop feeling like a struggle and start supporting real cognitive wellbeing. Ocular\u2122 Frame helps make that possible by bringing screens, cameras and meeting tech together in one place. That reduces mental load so teams can focus on each other, not the equipment.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n

As organizations continue to navigate uncertainty, the workplace has a renewed role to play. Not as a mandate, but as a meaningful resource. The workplace can be a place designed to help people do their best thinking, build relationships and find clarity amid complexity.<\/p>\n

Designing for cognitive performance is emerging as one of the most powerful ways to support wellbeing and performance. And at Chicago Design Week, Steelcase demonstrated what that future can look like.<\/p>\n

For more Work Better articles centered around Steelcase research, insights and design ideas, subscribe to the Work Better Weekly<\/a> newsletter today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

At Chicago Design Week 2026, Steelcase showcased community-based design solutions to address the challenge of cognitive overload at work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37261,"featured_media":886843,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"topic":[47676],"class_list":["post-886794","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","topic-collaboration"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSolving Office Design Challenges at Chicago Design Week | Steelcase<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"At Chicago Design Week 2026, Steelcase showcased community-based design solutions to address the challenge of cognitive overload at work. 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