Workplace Office Makeover Finalist 1: Ecker Center for Mental Health in Elgin

Finalist 1: Ecker Center for Mental Health in Elgin

One picture is not enough to reflect the size, sadness and disrepair of our psycho-social rehabilitation room. Perhaps the greatest irony and tragedy is that this is where clients come to get better by participating in group work.

This office, room combo has long been in need of a makeover. Given the budget stalemate in Springfield and other more pressing monetary needs, we have not been able to provide a better, more hopeful setting for our clients. And we won't be unless we get some outside help from a makeover like yours. Here are problems the room faces:

• The carpet is shredded in numerous locations.

• The lights work randomly and are dim at best.

• The walls have pock holes aplenty throughout the room.

• The ceilings sag.

• The dry-erase board is stained beyond erasure.

• The furniture is '70s log cabin style.

• Our "conference" table is three roundtable pulled together over another huge gash in the carpet, so no one trips.

How an expert would make it over

This design would cost around $15,000.

Colleen Baader is creative director at Rieke Office Interiors in Elgin.

Besides the obvious carpet and furniture struggles in this room, the larger concern is how this environment can affect the rehabilitation efforts of the individuals.

Studies have shown that your environment affects your mental capacity to focus and be productive. The physical environment also can affect your mood.

The mood of this conference/ group room is one of despair and hopelessness.

Between the mismatched furniture and drab colors I cannot image that the individual's using this room walk in feeling that they can accomplish their task.

Our design objective would be to create a room that reflects hopefulness and organization. Furniture that facilities the rehabilitation efforts would be key to beginning this design.

We would suggest a mix of mobile tables and ergonomic chairs that are easily movable to accommodate different rehabilitation exercises.

Due to the size of the room we would also suggest small soft seating area for more one on one rehab exercises. Adding color to the room is an easy fix that will transform the feel of the room. We would suggest using carpet tiles for their easy of replacement in case of spills or damage. We would change all lighting to LED fixtures which would give a clean light spread and offer a utility cost savings.