Expert Insights

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?

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--”and wants--”to 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?

Commuting to work today requires time, energy, and money. But what if all of that could change?

Companies rebuilding or modifying their work environments with an eye on the future will continue to move away from dedicated offices and workstations.

New and more efficient ways of working are being incorporated into office environments whether we design them or not.