The University of Chicago Booth School of Business Roman Family Center for Decision Research

The one of a kind 2,500 sq. ft. space is free and open to the public, and features both a working laboratory that invites people to participate in studies that examine the science of judgment and decision making.

Leveraging the atrium became an important design consideration that KSP and Pentagram used to shape Mindworks’ new space. The architecture is conceived as a series of cubes, which contain testing and interview rooms, within an open gallery to allow for clear views when entering from Michigan Avenue. The tops of the cubes are kept low to allow the high ceiled gallery to flow around and above. In conjunction with daylight cast above the cubes, simple materials of dark terrazzo flooring and blond wood were selected for ease of care and visual clarity that complement the interactive exhibition elements.

The interactive exhibits allow the public to explore, in a hands-on way, a range of foundational theories and discoveries from behavioral science. The marquee exhibit features two main parts: first is an infographic mural explaining the ideas of Choice Architecture and “Nudges,” and the second exhibit illustrates Prospect Theory.