Chicago-based Mary Cook Associates (MCA), a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm, today published a white paper entitled “Living It Up,” which identifies the “Five Ps” – Packages, Pets, Plug-ins, Play and Personal space/Privacy – that are recharacterizing livability in today’s multifamily and single-family interiors.

“Intentional design begins not with ideas about aesthetic, colors and materials, but instead with a deep understanding of the end user, what their needs are and how they will use the space,” said Mary Cook, president and founder of Mary Cook Associates. “It’s that what and how that inform the way we program design projects to maximize livability. But, just like every other aspect of design, there are trends and changing preferences we must take into account stemming from lifestyle factors, behavior shifts and technology advances. This white paper explores the key influences shaping function and livability today, and how that translates into innovative, yet enduring design.”

The white paper includes an overview of the “Five Ps” that Cook has identified as factors that emerged from the pandemic and accelerated into what are now mainstays for design projects. They include:

• Packages: The increase in delivery-based consumerism – a pre-COVID-19 trend that went into overdrive, with 77% of people saying they changed the way they shop during the pandemic – is directly impacting design, with spaces to accommodate packages of all shapes and sizes a new priority.
• Pets: Pet ownership climbed during the pandemic, making communities and homes with interior and exterior pet-friendly spaces and functional amenities – from dog wash areas to feeding and sleeping stations – a significant draw for pet lovers.
• Plug-ins: The evolving work-from-home (WFH) lifestyle has set new technology standards. Multifamily residents seek collaborative workspaces, strong WiFi and well-thought-out places to plug in devices, while adaptable spaces are key for supporting WFH in single-family homes.
• Play: Coping with the challenges of the pandemic amplified almost everyone’s need for play, driving demand for recreational spaces and those that promote fitness and healthy habits, including curated space that fosters activity transitions.
• Personal space/Privacy: Remote work, virtual school, more family members at home and changing quarantining restrictions have created the need for more personal space and privacy within the home, with “pocket spaces” that create mini-territories for specific activities emerging as a design solution.

The white paper is the third in a series of eight MCA is releasing, each sharing insights based on the firm’s proprietary seven fundamentals of interior design methodology and identifying opportunities for builders and developers to respond to the shifting paradigm of home with thoughtful designs and innovative spaces.

The full white paper can be viewed online or downloaded as a PDF at www.marycook.com/whitepapers/living-it-up./

For more information about Mary Cook Associates, visit www.marycook.com.

About Mary Cook Associates:

Established in 1986, Mary Cook Associates (MCA) is a fully integrated interior architecture and design firm nationally known for creating innovative interiors for leading owners and developers of real estate. The firm’s projects include multifamily, model homes, student living, senior living, clubhouses, restaurants, and hospitality environments. MCA’s work emphasizes functionality, showcases possibilities, and delivers a measurable Return on Environment (R.O.E.℠).

MCA’s team includes more than two dozen designers and architects that are strategic, imaginative and skilled at designing a wide variety of spaces that respond to demographic, geographic and lifestyle influences of target markets. Smart, functional spaces that establish immediate connections with their users and boost Living Better by Design℠, increase property value, and accelerate sales and occupancy rates are the hallmarks of the results MCA consistently achieves. Currently celebrating its 35^th anniversary, the firm continues its national presence with award-winning work that spans 36 states. www.marycook.com.

Mary Cook is president and founder of Mary Cook Associates, a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm that today published a white paper entitled “Living It Up,” which identifies the “Five Ps” that are recharacterizing livability in today’s multifamily and single-family interiors.