At every Design Connections event, there’s a saying attendees will hear repeated more than once: “This is not a spectator sport!” That’s because this intimate, invitation-only event was designed to get interior designers and suppliers together to hear from industry experts on the trends influencing the industry; to meet one-on-one about the latest product solutions being offered; to discuss the challenges and insights they share as professionals during in-depth roundtable discussions; and to take part in a creative activity that benefits a local charity.
In other words, this is a hands-on experience that opens the door to meaningful partnerships that can lead to lasting change. Case in point: at a recent Design Connections, a group of healthcare interior designers discussed their projects (and what kept them up at night) and realized many were having the same issues with durable coated fabric failures in their recently completed healthcare projects.
They decided to dive deeper into the issues and to find solutions. Within the next few months, the newly formed group collaborated with fabric and furniture manufacturers, upholstery distributors, an environmental services and cleaning/disinfection expert, as well as those from several key trade associations. From these partnerships, the Durable Coated Fabric Task Group (DCF TG) was “born.” (Learn more about the DCF TG here.)
This is just one example of the positive results that can happen when great minds in design get together as they did recently at THE MART in Chicago.
Presentations That Inspire
Design Connections kicked off with a powerful and challenging keynote address by HOK’s Director of Global Workplace Kay Sargent, who explored neurodiversity and inclusivity in the design of the workplace. Sharing data from years of research HOK has conducted on the topic, Sargent said the global firm’s interest in neuroscience and design began with a simple question, “How do we accommodate neurodivergents in the workplace?”
“Neurominorities have neurocognitive functioning that diverges from dominant societal norms,” Sargent explained. “They are wired differently and often their differences can be extraordinary strengths in the workplace.”
But when individuals with impairments find themselves in spaces that don’t support them, it results in a disabling effect. Examples of this in the workplace include:
- Sensory distractions (sounds, smells, visual clutter)
- Cognitive distractions (loss of focus, discomfort)
- Loss of engagement and productivity (presenteeism, poor recall, stress, burnout, dissatisfaction)
The problem isn’t limited to a few, either. In fact, one in seven people are considered neurodiverse, yet fewer than 50% know it, Sargent noted. As such, she underscored the importance of designing workplaces—and by extension, any interior environment—with neurodivergent people in mind. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical, cognitive and social exclusion can occur at the point of interaction between the individual and an environment where there is misalignment between them.
“There is a compelling human and business case to be made for ensuring we approach the design of workplaces to help address mindfulness, health, safety, wellbeing and inclusivity,” Sargent added.
Interestingly, a survey by Stantec revealed that a majority of employees are looking forward to returning to the workplace because they miss face-to-face collaboration and social interaction, but the design of most offices hasn’t given them sufficient flexibility of choice. Key findings from the survey include:
- Employees do not envision the dramatic change to the workplace that the industry anticipates
- Employees are generally satisfied with their current workplace, but …
- They want to see the workplace change to allow for more choice
- Expectations and needs vary by industry
Discovering Solutions and Sharing Challenges
Attendees were also invited to meet with manufacturers for a series of 1:1 “speed dating” meetings that introduced them to the most recent product solutions and services they offer as well as to develop new relationships and deepen existing ones. These brief, but impactful meetings allowed designers to get up to date on what’s new as well as provide suppliers with insights into the projects their customers are working on in real time.
Attendees spent the afternoon in groups as part of a series of roundtable discussions hosted in showrooms and meeting spaces throughout THE MART. These in-depth conversations gave designers the opportunity to share their perspectives on the day-to-day challenges they face and provide valuable feedback to suppliers on their products.
Networking and a Night of Giving
Every Design Connections closes with an awards dinner and a special Night of Giving, a fun, creative and hands-on activity that benefits a local charity. During dinner, local artist Bojana Ilic, founder of Bojitt, created a striking, one-of-a-kind work of art (while providing a subtle nod to the evening’s post-dinner activities) that will be auctioned off to support Chicago-based Designs for Dignity. Ed Hanlon, project manager at Designs for Dignity, addressed the dinner crowd prior and explained how the organization helps transform nonprofit environments through pro bono design and in-kind donations to empower lives through the power of design.
It was an evening and event not soon to be forgotten, and all of it would not have been possible were it not for the support of our incredible event sponsors:
