Exploring ideas that shape the places we work
Today, far too often we still are inundated with wasting time, energy, and money by having \”“people waiting for materials and work waiting for people.–
LEAN construction can organize collaboration and improve our work process efficiency. It is one step in the right direction.
In the first of our series on people in our industry, we’re introducing you to Virginia Tech’s Greg Tew.
In his own words, Greg describes how he’s working to make an impact on the next generation of designers, dreamers, and employees.
Coworking is a rapidly growing, technology-driven phenomenon and is seen as an alternative to leasing more traditional office space.
By Jennifer E. Klein, AIA, Principal, DBI Architects, Inc.
I believe that, as architects and designers, we must communicate and collaborate with our clients to understand their work style and effectively design for their culture. And throughout my experience, these three themes still resonate: (1) Cultural change needs to come from the top, (2) Form should follow function, and (3) Less is always more.
But what are your experiences telling you?
With instant-communication based technologies increasingly becoming commonplace across the planet, we are beginning to see global — rather than local, regional, or national — design aesthetics emerge. So perhaps in the near future, elements like national pride, local climate, immediate geographical factors, and regional materials will not inspire our work as commercial designers.
But what if we re-commit to intensely cultural design?
FOX Architects recently completed a project with Balfour Beatty Construction for their new offices in Fairfax, Virg., by way of the IPD process.
What is IPD, you ask? How does it benefit the project in the long run?
I had those very same questions and went straight to the sources, Nicole Antil- Sr. Project Designer and Genelle McDonald- Chief Estimator for Balfour Beatty Construction. Read on and find out what they had to say about IPD.
What is it about the word “raw” that nurtures our spirits and piques our interest?
When the recession hit, employers buckled down by rallying their troops to keep their heads down and make great things happen. As part of that resolve, it wasn’t uncommon to see perks like the office Wii gathering dust — after all, “playing” when you were lucky to have a job didn’t seem tasteful.
But now we’re seeing the re-emergence of play in the office — and, hopefully, what it’s revealing to employers is that having a release isn’t just “cool” for culture, but a real part of productivity.
If we used all five senses to design our workspaces, would this make us — as end users — happier and more productive workers?
Most designers typically create spaces with only two of our five senses; namely, sight and touch. But maybe it’s not out of the question that we could use sound, scent, and taste when tackling a design challenge.
Perhaps a cohesive approach with all our senses considered would make our spaces more creative, joyful, and experiential.
How does a firm determine the appropriate actions for a unique situation? What changes must be made, and why? Since real estate costs are a big item on the expense sheet, a company must understand both its current situation and where it needs–â€Âand wants–â€Âto be.
A holistic approach is essential.
The only way to manage it all is through increased collaboration, teams of experts, and with acceptance of a new Generation leading the way.
Have women in the workforce fundamentally influenced the way we design today’s workspaces?
