Steelcase and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport have been working together this year on the Gateway Transformation, a $45 million renovation for new business centers and work/life lounges for travelers.
Recognizing the importance of the airport's role in the community, Steelcase agreed to a 10-year sponsorship for two business centers and two work/life lounges in each concourse.Designing across generations and traveler types provided an innovative challenge for the Steelcase team as it aimed to create a positive experience tailored to each traveler. “You need to understand how and why people use a space and then create spaces to reflect clarity, simplicity and purpose,” says Cherie Johnson, Steelcase Global Design director.The goals for the new spaces included:
- Enrich the comfort, convenience and experiences of travelers and guests
- Deliver differentiated choice and control
- Create areas for respite and privacy, away from common airport chaos
- Support emotional/physical/cognitive well-being
- Address needs of all generations and passenger types
- Support technology use and provide access to power devices
The business centers for mobile workers offer a variety of settings for individual or group focus and collaboration. The work/life lounge in each concourse has multifunctional social spaces where travelers can sit or stand in a space with a variety of modes for work, waiting, interactions and privacy levels.These destinations provide space for large groups or families while also supporting privacy, quiet, concentration and creative performance. They are designed for focus and interaction as well as rest and rejuvenation.To learn more about the project, visit http://www.grr.org/construction.php.