CHICAGO, IL - Chicago-based Mary Cook Associates (MCA), a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm, today published a white paper entitled “Can Good Design be Good for your Health?” The paper explores how well-designed spaces in today’s multifamily and single-family interiors can improve well-being – particularly amid the lifestyle impacts of the pandemic over the last two years.
“Beyond the direct effects of COVID-19, the pandemic has taken a toll on both physical and mental health, from aches and pains caused by long hours at makeshift home workstations to the emotional stresses of isolation, uncertainty and worry around current affairs,” said Mary Cook, president and founder of Mary Cook Associates. “While great design isn’t a cure-all, we know high-performing spaces can be very powerful in their ability to excite and energize, motivate and inspire, or even soothe and relax. As we plan interiors for the post-pandemic landscape, the most innovative and enduring designs will be those that maximize the relationship between aesthetics, function and well-being to help people feel, do and be their best.”
The white paper highlights essentials of design that dramatically impact physical and emotional well-being and allow spaces to function optimally, including:
- Proxemics: In post-pandemic design, proxemics – the study of space, how we use it and how it makes us more or less comfortable – will take into account the long-term impact of social distancing, including comfort levels with proximity to others and preferences for open or outdoor spaces.
- Ergonomics: As remote work becomes a permanent option for many, ergonomics – the process of designing or arranging workplaces, products, and systems so they fit the people who use them – will be critical in creating flexible living spaces and amenities that can double as a work area.
- Scale and Proportion: The “Holy Grail” of design, scale and proportion work together to elevate the human experience in the built environment. When everything in a room is in balance, the design – and everyone in it – feels great.
“Can Good Design be Good for your Health?” is the fourth in a series of white papers MCA is releasing, each sharing insights on the firm’s proprietary seven fundamentals of interior design methodology and identifying opportunities for builders and developers to respond to the shifting paradigm of home with thoughtful designs and innovative spaces.
The full white paper can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF at marycook.com.
About Mary Cook Associates: Established in 1986, Mary Cook Associates (MCA) is a fully integrated interior architecture and design firm nationally known for creating innovative interiors for leading owners and developers of real estate. The firm’s projects include multifamily, model homes, student living, senior living, clubhouses, restaurants, and hospitality environments. MCA’s work emphasizes functionality, showcases possibilities, and delivers a measurable Return on Environment (R.O.E.).
MCA’s team includes more than two dozen designers and architects that are strategic, imaginative and skilled at designing a wide variety of spaces that respond to demographic, geographic and lifestyle influences of target markets. Smart, functional spaces that establish immediate connections with their users and boost Living Better by Design, increase property value, and accelerate sales and occupancy rates are the hallmarks of the results MCA consistently achieves. Currently celebrating its 35th anniversary, the firm continues its national presence with award-winning work that spans 36 states.