Design Research (store)

Design Research

In 2009, Design Research was briefly brought back as a publicly visible exhibition
Trade name	D/R
Founded	1953 (1953) in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Founder	Ben Thompson
Defunct	1978 (1978)
Fate	Bankruptcy; Brand rights jointly acquired by Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn

Design Research—known by its trademark D/R—was established in 1953 by Ben Thompson in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was a pioneer in developing the concept of the lifestyle store. By the 1970s, after changing hands, the business grew into a network of about twelve stores across the United States before declaring bankruptcy in 1979. Thompson’s vision was to create "a place where people could buy everything they needed for contemporary living," with a strong emphasis on modern European furniture, particularly Scandinavian design.

Although it ceased operations more than twenty years prior, D/R continued to hold significant esteem within the design community; a 2000 survey recognized it as the most influential design retailer. Its legacy influenced prominent companies such as Crate & Barrel, Design Within Reach, Pottery Barn, and Conran's, shaping their retail approaches and strategic directions.

Selection of products

Design Research curated a diverse assortment of items—from furniture and apparel to toys and kitchenware—offered at multiple price levels, embodying the lifestyle store model. The inventory included pieces by distinguished designers like Marcel Breuer, Hans Wegner, Alvar Aalto, and Joe Cesare Colombo.

Between 1959 and 1976, D/R held exclusive rights to distribute Finnish brand Marimekko textiles and garments in the United States. A notable cultural moment occurred when Jacqueline Kennedy donned a Marimekko dress purchased at D/R on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1960, underscoring the brand’s impact on both culture and commerce.

Stores

The inaugural Design Research outlet was situated in a 19th-century mansard-style residence at 57 Brattle Street within Harvard Square, Cambridge. The company later expanded with locations in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts; New York City’s Lexington Avenue (1961) and East 57th Street (1964); as well as San Francisco’s Ghirardelli Square (1965).

In 1969, founder Benjamin Thompson moved the Cambridge store to an innovative new building at 48 Brattle Street designed by his firm Benjamin Thompson and Associates. This five-story edifice featured flat concrete slabs supported by internal columns combined with frameless tempered glass walls, producing an almost "architecture-less" transparent facade. This architectural approach received widespread praise for enhancing urban design and garnered several awards including:

• 1970: New England AIA Honor Award
• 1971: Harleston Parker Medal for Outstanding Architecture
• 1971: National Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects
• 2003: AIA Twenty-five Year Award recognizing lasting architectural importance

Initially concentrating on urban settings, D/R’s new management from 1969 pursued expansion into suburban shopping centers such as South Shore Plaza (Braintree, MA) and South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa, CA) in 1972, followed by The Mall at Chestnut Hill (Newton, MA) in 1974—directions that contrasted with Thompson’s original concept. Additional urban outlets opened later at San Francisco’s Embarcadero Center (1973) and Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square (1975).

Subsequent occupants of the Brattle Street location

Following the closure of D/R in 1979, the Brattle Street property in Cambridge became home to a Crate & Barrel outlet, which operated there from 1979 until January 2009.

Between October 2009 and April 2010, the empty Brattle Street storefront featured a temporary exhibit showcasing D/R merchandise, visible from the street.

Later, from August 2010 through January 2025, the building accommodated an Anthropologie retail store.

Company background

Design Research was established in 1953 by architect Ben Thompson. Early in the 1950s, furniture designer Spencer Field joined as an equal partner. By 1966, due to insufficient funding for Thompson’s growth ambitions, the company sought external investors. It underwent restructuring and recapitalization in 1967, and in February 1968, entrepreneur Peter J. Sprague—chairman of National Semiconductor—acquired Field’s stake and assumed the role of chairman.

In 1969, Sprague removed Thompson from his position as director, although Thompson retained shareholder status. Under various presidents who followed, D/R expanded its store network but gradually lost its unique design identity. Business performance deteriorated by 1976, culminating in bankruptcy proceedings in 1979. The trademarks "Design Research" and "D/R" were subsequently purchased jointly by Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn.

Bibliography

• Janet Levy, "Design Research: Marketing 'Good design' in the 50s, 60s, and 70s", Master of Arts thesis at Parsons The New School for Design, 2004.
• Walter J. Salmon, "Design Research, Inc.", Harvard Business School Case 578-203
• Jane Thompson and Alexandra Lange, Design Research: the store that brought modern living to American homes, Chronicle Books, 2010.
• Andrew Wagner, "Partners in Design", Dwell October/November 2005
• "Ben Thompson", ArchitectureBoston, Spring 2011 issue, Boston Society of Architects.

Additional resources

• Sullivan, Charles M., "Harvard Square History and Development", Cambridge Historical Commission. Refer to Part 4 for information on Design Research in Harvard Square.

External links

• Design Research Headquarters at Great Buildings: includes images, architectural plans, and bibliography courtesy of ArchitectureWeek.
• Design Research Headquarters on the Archiplanet wiki, provided by ArchitectureWeek.