MATTER
New life for a healthcare startup incubator, shaped by strategic reuse and standout design.
MATTER is a healthcare-focused startup incubator that provides office space, education, counseling, and operational support to emerging healthcare companies until they're ready to grow into independent spaces of their own. They host monthly educational events on topics ranging from AI in healthcare to wellness and lifestyle discussions.When MATTER's lease ended in 2025, they relocated to the Merchandise Mart, consolidating their footprint while keeping a strong design presence and their signature river views.
The new space needed to work hard: flexible collaboration areas and workstations, a large presentation space, and private offices, all in one multifunctional layout. To pull it off, MATTER returned to Continua and Gensler, the same team that completed their original space in the Mart about twelve years ago. Beyond furniture procurement and installation, Continua provided reuse strategy that blended cost-conscious planning with MATTER's sustainability goals.
In the collaborative spaces our team utilized the MillerKnoll OE1 collection designed for evolution in their space through discovering what works and being able to make changes when needed. These solutions included mobile work solutions such as touchdown spaces and adjustable collaborative workpoints that continue to support flexibility for work and meetings in their new, smaller space. Continua also outfitted private offices with solutions from Geiger.
Continua partnered with Gensler to create a thoughtful interior, balancing new furniture in highly visible spaces and reuse of existing furnishings in secondary areas. Their existing MillerKnoll products were durable enough to transition seamlessly into the new environment. Common-area and meeting furniture were strategically repurposed to extend product life and reduce waste promoting sustainability through longevity. Thoughtful lifecycle planning allows for the balance of sustainability, budget considerations, and performance. Continua continues to support MATTER through ongoing refinements to the installed environment, helping the space adapt to evolving user needs and workplace functions.
Services Provided: Furniture and Reuse Strategy, Installation
A+D Firm: Gensler
Year Completed: 2025
Location: Chicago, IL
Photographer: Gillian Fry