The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) recently took the wraps off its relocated international headquarters in an iconic Mies van der Rohe tower in the heart of downtown Chicago. The 17,000-square-foot space, with extensive views of the city and the Chicago River, puts human potential at the forefront. Doors officially opened on June 12, showcasing the project’s essential design intent: that place, people, culture, and brand matter in the workplace.
“IIDA leads commercial design excellence across the globe and advocates on behalf of its network of practitioners who consistently seek to elevate the profession,” said Cheryl S. Durst, IIDA executive vice president and CEO, Hon. FIIDA, LEED AP. “We have a deep understanding of how design impacts lives. Our new headquarters celebrates the workplace and demonstrates how purpose, function, product, and aesthetic come together to encourage productivity, health, and wellness through human-centered design.”
The new headquarters is a next-generation model of living design, providing a home base for the association’s 25 employees and for design industry professionals at large. The space features offices and conference rooms with expansive natural light, and an array of comfortable public areas for people to meet and collaborate.
Herman Miller’s innovative Living Office concept serves as the backbone of the project. A mosaic-tiled entryway opens to a clear, white area that helps showcase the location’s impressive views, providing additional charm and motivation to those inside the space. Pops of color come from surprising places, such as a resilient floor with floral design that peppers select workspaces with playful embellishments. In addition, the headquarters’ state-of-the-art IDEA Studio is a hub of social and educational activity with a variety of design-focused events planned throughout the year.
The revitalized IIDA headquarters was designed by i+s Advisory Board member Todd Heiser, IIDA, design principal and Studio Design leader for Gensler D.C. “The opportunity to create the new IIDA headquarters spoke directly to my passion to redefine design’s purpose,” he said. “I found endless inspiration from all aspects of this project: the physical space, which is stunning, and the world-class lineup of manufacturers who contributed to this high-profile and large-scale project. And, most of all, I was inspired by the driven and determined people who are the heart and soul of this visionary association.”
