chicago cultural center design competition

Archideas was invited by Mayor Daley to participate in the competition to design a new visitor's center for the city of Chicago to be located near Millennium Park. As the underdog in the competition, we were the least well known, but as it turns out, we were apparently the most comprehensive when it came to the actual design of our competition entry. Up against some pretty big names, we were very pleasantly surprised to learn that we'd won!

Our exploration and concept development began with the study of every conceivable user to the space, and the subsequent research on how each of these potential users might obtain information so as to navigate the city and enjoy every conceivable aspect Chi-Town from bike paths and architecture to theatre and nightlife. Next, we created a massive central feature using interactive technology, that glowed at night so as to draw youth off the streets in into the space where activities would be planned in conjunction with the After School Matters program. Wanting to reuse as much of the existing building as possible, we used what had formerly been a bank tellers window as the will call window for anyone wanting to pick up pre purchased tickets to various events. In addition, we added a roof top garden to be used for any of the city's several philanthropic organizations to host fund raising receptions.

Unfortunately the New Chicago Visitor's Center has yet to be built due to a shortage of funds. But keep an eye on Archideas at www.archideas.com as I'm sure the exciting project will someday resurrect.

the mayo clinic

The mayo clinic project is by far the most fascinating project I've ever worked on. It was a very intensive one week brain storming session in conjunction with Archideas, Steelcase, IDEO and IBM to solve a problem that Mayo Clinic was having with its patient check in process. IDEO went to the clinic to observe patients and their care takers on one particular space, which we dubbed "our experimental wing." They brought back pictures and observations that were disheartening. Chairs were lined up row after row, all facing toward the front of the room, where receptionists would sit, calling on patients as the doctors were ready to see them. Most of the patients had flown in from out of state, and often times were there for days or even weeks. Many of them were older, or not feeling well and sometimes remained in the chairs for hours at a time. For their care takers, there was a lack of information and material to assist in gaining knowledge of the campus, the facilities or its amenities. The level of stress and discomfort were palpable.

The Mayo clinic wanted to recreate the entire experience, providing their guests with a more comfortable, healing environment that was resourceful and efficient. So we set forth as a team to define the users, their needs, how we could incorporate modern technology into the space and design an environment that had a comfortable, organized sense of flow that was also nurturing and informative.

We started by creating a central hub, which we coined the concierge station. From there, we created quadrants from each of the 4 corners, with isles that lead to the circular concierge desk. At the concierge station, patients and care takers were greeted with a friendly staff member who could assist them with a map of the campus, information on where to stay, where to dine, how to book additional appointments, and general clinic information. Next we set out to define each of the quadrants, we labeled Q1 thru Q4. Q1 became a lounge like area with cozy seating, a book exchange and magazines. The area was also used for mini clinics held throughout the day on topics such as health and nutrition or dealing with depression and grief. Q2 was the technical area for people who wanted to spend time on the computer researching illnesses, medications, or simply checking their e-mail. Q3 was more retail like, with a self help wall that included pamphlets, brochures and maps, in addition to tables and chairs for people who needed a place to sit down and write. The final quadrant, Q4 became the official check in area, filled with ergonomically designed chairs that were arranged to face one another. Incorporated toward the back of Q4 was the actual check in counter which we modeled after retail stores, but with the incorporation of privacy screens.

We brought IBM in to assist us with the technological aspect of our solutions. For starters, we incorporated a large LED screen of a fish tank which was used to relax and entertain patients and their visitors. Many of the patients would sit for hours in fear that they would not hear their name being called to see the doctor. Our solution was to have IBM create a hand held devise much like what is used at the EMP (Experience Music Project) in Seattle. A combination restaurant style pager, with windows capability, we wanted to make sure that people could leave to get food, use the restroom, or even fall asleep, knowing that the vibration would signal them when they were ready to be seen by their doctor. The devise also incorporated games such as brick breaker and solitaire, and books which could be listened to using headphones.

The final portion of the project was to design special patient rooms and nurse's stations, which we did in conjunction with Steelcase. The rooms were considered mini exam rooms for patients who needed a quick follow up appointment. We called them touch-down rooms, because they were primarily used to touch base on lab results or to instruct patients on how to take medications, or what to expect next in their procedure. The rooms were made to be easily dismantled and moved, yet still be acoustically private. We used movable walls and custom carts that served as both writing surfaces and storage units. The use of colors and materials throughout the entire floor created a sense of visual interest and healing, while beautiful images and noticeable signs were incorporated into the design to make way finding easy for everyone.

The Mayo Clinic Project was the epitome of team effort and problem solution critical thinking. We all felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment knowing that we had transformed the lives of patients, their care takers, and the entire staff. I wish every project could feel this gratifying.

dirtt environmental solutions

While consulting along side Mark Stenftenagle, and Drew Groeger, we set out to design the logo and website for Mogens Smed's new start up company, D.I.R.T.T. - an acronym that stands for "Doing It Right This Time."

Mogens' created DIRTT to fully realize the promise of sustainability through architectural solutions. Mogens believes that if any of his products end in a land fill, he and his company have failed. "It is time for North America to realize that we can't perpetually build gigantic workspaces and then proceed to demolish, dispose and rebuild it in perpetuity. Frankly, it is an environmental crime." A natural born leader (though he would probably deny it), Mogens is an influential man of action, who walks the walk leading by example. We subsequently chose a circle as a starting point for the logo because by Webster's very definition, a circle is an area of "action or influence." We selected a font that is bold yet friendly (like Mogens), placing the two TT's next to one another within the circle changing their color from brown to white so that they clearly stood out. In doing so, we are using the TT to representing the universal symbol for pi; a transcendental number, lasting forever and ever, as is the goal of DIRTT products. www.dirtt.net

We also used the double TT as an opportunity to brand DIRTT by establishing a campaign we called "This Time." We created a series of sentences, with powerful and sometimes contradictory images that created a pledge, or made people think twice:

This Time I will make decisions that have a safer impact on the planet.

This Time green products are beautiful.

This Time I will spend my clients money more wisely.

This Time objects in mirror may be closer than they appear.

On the back side of the business card, you'll see some concentric rings offset from the final letter "e" in the phrase "doing it right this time." The concentric circles represent the idea that one person's choice to "do it right this time" can have a significant ripple effect.

We also chose four different colors for the circle and the subsequent business cards: yellow, green, blue and orange. Yellow, green and blue are the colors of the sun, the earth, the sky and water. Orange is often associated with architects. Our original plan was to change the orange to a new color every year, to represent the company's ability to adapt to current trends and client needs continually.

For the website, our goals was to design a clean, simple site that was informative without being cluttered, and easy to navigate for designers and end users.

restaurant vie


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prudential financial


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the surf club


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private residence

bjornson / leavitt residence

haneman residence

ewings residence

sloan residence

mcclure residence