New North Shore coworking space focuses on wellness, childcare

Dayhouse Coworking, a shared workspace rooted in connection, wellness, and social good, opened in downtown Highland Park this spring. Housed in a 6,000sf former gallery, Dayhouse features open work areas, conference rooms, and private offices, as well as spaces to nurture members' non-work needs such as a mind-body room for naps, meditation, and yoga classes, an on-site childcare program, and a sunny patio for al fresco workdays.

Founder Jen Luby saw a need for an ecosystem that supports members' careers while also valuing their caretaking duties and their desires to positively impact their communities. Community Engagement Director Jessica Erickson notes "Our members are deeply motivated professionals from a wide range of industries. It's not uncommon for a filmmaker and a management consultant to start a casual chat in the kitchen, only to discover they have so much in common. What brings our people together is not their industries, but their desire for connection in a creative, cultivating environment."

Upon entry, Dayhouse feels inspiring and serene. Design team Ellie Nottoli of elliestyled in Lake Forest and Jennie Cornell of Jennie Cornell Designs in Libertyville played off the exposed brick and beams of the circa 1930 industrial space to create beautiful interiors featuring jewel-toned soft seating, textured rugs, and colorful artwork. This month, The Art Center (TAC) of Highland Park will install a rotating micro-gallery. "We're so happy that previous tenants left the gallery rails intact. TAC's installation will be the perfect nod to the building's former life," says Erickson.

With the rise of women-only coworking spaces, Dayhouse stands out as female-driven, yet open to all. "We toyed with the idea of this being a women-only space, but so many women we talked to pointed out they have male colleagues, clients, and collaborators." Luby explains, "We think women can make great strides towards equality in the workplace when men and women work together. That said, one of our core values is supporting woman-fueled endeavors, and we definitely took women's needs into account when designing Dayhouse. It's reflected not only in the aesthetics of our space, but also in our member events and childcare programming."

Tucked in a back corner of the building is the children's zone, Smallhouse. The cheerful room is outfitted with blonde wood, paper garlands, and an array of quiet toys. "The design team and I are all Montessori moms, and we drew heavily on that shared experience when choosing materials for Smallhouse. Toys that light up and make noise were immediately nixed," explains Luby. With its own restroom and proximity to a lactation room, the team consciously intended for Smallhouse to be a separate area for children. "Just as we help our members manage their work and parenting commitments, Dayhouse itself strikes a balance between parent-friendly amenities and business-minded focus. It doesn't have to be an either/or scenario, which is the situation that many parents (particularly women), find themselves in."

Dayhouse furthers its mission for social good through a non-profit residency program, currently housing Families Helping Families Chicagoland (FHFC). "This year-long residency is springboarding us to new heights," said Amy Newman, FHFC Executive Director. "We kicked it off with a very well attended family-friendly pajama party, and are about to begin a customized business coaching program, courtesy of Dayhouse members volunteering their time with us. Dayhouse has also been so beneficial just to have a professional environment for committee work and important meetings. We absolutely love it here."

Luby explains that the coworking industry has turned a corner. "Until recently, coworking spaces had to explain why they were a better option than working from home or at a cafe. Now, people get it. They understand why you need to get away from the pile of laundry and barking dog, or the limitations of client meetings at coffee shops. We take that to another level with our services and environment. Everyone who walks in to Dayhouse comments on the energy here. It's nurturing, calming, and empowers our members to do their best work both professionally and personally. And who doesn't need more of that in their life?"

Memberships start at $125 a month, with most programming free for members, and some events open to the public for a small fee. Members also receive a discount on space rental and childcare. Dayhouse Coworking is located at 2057 Green Bay Road in Highland Park, IL. Learn more at www.dayhousecoworking.com. Follow Dayhouse on Instagram and Facebook at @dayhousecowork