Making Magic:
The Importance of Play Spaces
In this stressful age of extreme multi-tasking, for many Americans the idea of ‘play’ has become a luxury instead of a bare necessity. Today the college prep track (complete with test prep and standardized testing) can begin as early as pre-school. Many parents create jam-packed activity schedules for their kids, planning organized crafting dates, music lessons, and dance classes that can be instructional and fun, but still lack the learning opportunities that free play presents. Unstructured playtime allows kids to let their imaginations run wild, make up their own games, color outside the lines, and encounter the world on their own terms. Recently the American Academy of Pediatrics released a study warning of the dangers of skimping on free play opportunities, citing evidence that lack of adequate free play time impairs cognitive skills, decreases the ability to socialize, diminishes creative ability, produces stress and inability to focus, and even impacts parent-child bonding.
Luckily, this is one of the rare times when the solution to the problem is both simple and joyous – play! Indeed, if the recent upsurge in dedicated indoor play spaces is any indication, it would seem that adults are getting the message and getting back into the game. Play spaces are popping up across the nation in a variety of guises, from family-centric cafés to residential playroom areas.
MCA has designed and installed several of the latter for Toll City Living in the New York area, each one addressing the unique needs of the demographic it services. While designed primarily for the kids who will use the space to learn and grow, these spaces are also great sales tools. At Maxwell Place on the Hudson, a potential buyer experiencing our playroom for the first time exclaimed that it was ‘magical’, and that she couldn’t wait to bring her little girl there to play. The brilliantly colored room features ample opportunities for kids to take the reins and reinvent themselves, and kids there love doodling on the chalk boards and cooking up a storm in the play kitchen. Also of great importance to busy working parents is the opportunity to use the playroom as a place to let the kids get a little messy, keeping the housework (and headaches) at a minimum.
The playroom at Northside Piers had more spatial constraints and presented some unique challenges, but is an excellent example of how even smaller spaces can be repurposed for a great cause. The room features vibrant colors, great geometric patterns and interesting textures in rough and tumble fabrics suitable for the long haul. From the ever-popular dress up station to the cheerily colored play kitchen and sturdy toy bins, the playroom offers lots of opportunities for kids to explore and grow.
Famed playwright George Bernard Shaw said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” In a world fraught with stresses, sometimes the best choice to make is to let go and live in the moment. Kids know this instinctively, and if given the chance will make the most of their opportunities to enjoy life. It’s time for parents to reclaim the vitality that free play allows – both for the kids and for us all. Play spaces are a fantastic first step in finding a solution to this issue, and we hope to have the opportunity to design more of these very special places.
GREEN SPACE
Proving our Eco Smarts
It’s good to be Green. By now everyone knows the importance of biking to work, buying local and organic, and choosing digital over paper. There’s still a long way to go, however, and Mary Cook & Associates is proud to be part of the solution. We recently partnered with Fitzgerald Associates Architects and Axios Construction to design and build the Eco Smart House, a LEED Platinum Certified house that we hope to see become the prototype for new single family construction in Chicago. The house, customizable to fit any typical Chicago lot, will feature affordable and sustainable design, including moveable walls, naturally sourced light and climate control, and locally sourced interior design elements. Stay tuned in the coming months, as we prepare to break ground and make history.
Project Spotlight:
Angels & Kings Chicago
With four locations and more in the works, Pete Wentz’ Angels & Kings concept has been an overwhelming success. In late 2010, it was decided to relocate the bar’s Chicago location to the Hard Rock Hotel, combining two of the largest names in rock n’ roll hospitality. MCA was delighted to be selected for this important redesign.
Since the project involved melding two distinctive brands, much energy was devoted to creating a design that stayed true to Angels & Kings’ tough vintage vibe while working seamlessly with Hard Rock’s sleek, modern approach. We did this with a rich color palette, sumptuous fabrics, and industrial finishes, creating a look that stayed true to AK’s rock star reputation while echoing the upscale flavor of the hotel public spaces. The lounge features plentiful booth and bar seating, an intimate stage for live performances and AK’s trademark mug shot wall, all of which came in handy during January’s wildly successful
Grand Re-Opening.
Staff profile
Briana Steele
Assistant Project Designer
The newest member of the MCA team, Briana Steele has quickly become a key ingredient of our recent successes. Since her arrival in December 2010, she has assisted in designing interiors for several projects, including Angels & Kings Chicago and currently, the Eco Smart House.
Briana holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Retail Merchandising from Lindenwood University, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Harrington College of Design, where she graduated with honors. She is currently pursuing NCIDQ certification as well as LEED-GA accreditation. Before coming to Mary Cook & Associates, she served as an Interior Designer at theorie, as well as the Director of Design for SMH Development.
A travel enthusiast, she recently spent three months in Europe, and cites her experiences there as a great influence on her design inspiration. Briana volunteers with Basket Brigade Chicago, Alternatives, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Girls on the Run, and will be spending the summer as a docent at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond.
Upcoming Events:
- Harnessing ROE: Increase Revenue with Smart Design, June 1st, Webinar presented by Kate Brennan. More info...
- Lightfare International, May 15th through 19th, Philadelphia, PA
- ULI Spring Council Forum, May 18th through 20th, Phoenix, AZ
- NeoCon, June 13th through 15th, Chicago, IL
mary’s wishlist:
God Grant Me Authenticity!
On a recent road trip through Florida, Design Director Tim Schwarz and I faced a dilemma. After a long day of meetings, and with the promise of barren Alligator Alley stretching out before us, we were in desperate need of a good meal. We pulled over at the last possible stop, a tiny crossroads called Yeehaw Junction, and my heart sank as I realized that the only dining options were Stuckey’s or a gas station. As I mentally prepared myself for a lunch of almonds and water, Tim brought my attention to a flashing neon sign in the distance that stated simply “Desert Inn Motel - Good Food - Bar.” Throwing caution to the wind, we decided to give it a try, and twenty minutes later I enjoying one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve ever eaten.
Stalwart and unpretentious, the Desert Inn has been the cornerstone of Yeehaw Junction before there even was a Yeehaw Junction, when the area was simply known as Crossroads. It started off as a trading post and way station in the 1880s, and though the menu might be broader and the rooms boast color televisions, the inn has changed little over the last 130 years. True, some things about Desert Inn are a little theatrical (like the full-scale Seminole Indian family sitting at a table in the corner), but overall it is the very basis of what I mean when I speak with clients about the importance of authenticity.
Authenticity is defined as remaining true to one’s personality, spirit, or character. People are naturally drawn to places that offer up something of themselves – places that celebrate their own unique histories and surroundings. This hasn’t escaped the view of professionals in the building and golf industries, where one of the hottest topics of the moment is that ‘Exclusive’ is out, and ‘Inclusive’ is in. People yearn for casual, relaxed atmospheres, paired with authentic details in design, décor, and even food and entertainment. One of the things that sets MCA apart from our peers is our attention to details that make a place more authentic, from incorporating local artwork to acknowledging important regional styles in architectural detail, furniture design, and even use of color. There are countless ways to celebrate the unique personality of a place and the people who love it. While not everyone can make a cheeseburger like Desert Inn, with a little effort, every interior can ring with authentic details that keep people coming back for more.