The Challenge
The atrium at City Warren Hall in Warren, Michigan, is a bright and spacious open-concept area. Despite its potential, the space remained underutilized due to the absence of furniture. Envisioned as a dynamic community hub, the atrium required functional and inviting furnishings to foster engagement and support a range of activities, including work, study, collaboration, and social gatherings.
Design Solutions
Enhancing Usability: The goal was to transform the atrium into a welcoming, multi-functional environment suitable for diverse community needs.
Flexible & Adaptable Solutions: Since the space would serve multiple purposes, the furniture needed to be easily movable and reconfigurable to support different events and layouts.
Variety in Seating & Postures: Given the unpredictable nature of how the community would use the space, the design incorporated a mix of seating options to support various postures and group sizes.
Technology Integration: To support work and learning needs, power access was integrated into the furniture for convenience.
Maximizing Natural Light: Seating and tables were strategically placed along the windows to take advantage of daylight and create an inviting atmosphere.
Durability & Maintenance: Since this was a public space, material selection focused on durability and ease of cleaning to ensure long-term use and upkeep.
Through strategic design and furniture selection, the City of Warren Atrium is now a dynamic, versatile community space. By leveraging natural light and prioritizing durability, the atrium fosters engagement, collaboration, and functionality for all users.
“The transformation of the Warren City Hall atrium into a vibrant and functional space has had a truly positive impact on the community. For nearly 15 years, the atrium sat underutilized, but thanks to the efforts of Mayor Lori Stone and her staff working with ISCG, the space has been given new life.
The Haworth furniture has not only enhanced the aesthetics but also created a practical, welcoming environment for a variety of activities, from reading and business meetings to serving as a backdrop for local television stories. It’s heartening to see how residents and businesses have embraced the change, and it’s clear that ISCG’s team was instrumental in bringing this vision to life, working within our budget and needs.
The mix of Haworth's cabana-style couches and modern tables with chairs featuring power receptacles was a brilliant design choice. The cabana-style couches add a relaxed, inviting atmosphere, while the modern tables and chairs offer a functional, contemporary touch. The inclusion of power receptacles is especially smart, providing a practical solution for people who need to charge their devices while working, waiting, or simply relaxing in the space.
This combination of comfort, versatility, and utility ensures that the atrium serves multiple needs for our residents. It has become a welcoming and dynamic space for both work and leisure.
It’s a great example of how thoughtful design and community-focused leadership can turn a neglected space into a thriving public asset. We couldn’t be happier with ISCG and the fantastic furniture Haworth provided. Our atrium is once again an inviting public space, and we are thrilled to see it being used by everyone in our community.”
- David Muzzarelli, Public Service Director, City of Warren
Photography: REDbyMorgan