image: Incase Designs | Flickr

Productivity. Collaboration. Mobility. Globalization. Socialization. Culture.

Such are the buzz-words which describe the more modern workplaces of today. But where is this all going? And why?

One thing is for sure, computers are spreading. They seem to be everywhere. They’re getting smaller, more helpful and their interfaces are getting more intuitive. It’s no wonder that the surrounding environments which inhabit them now often allow for more mobility, productivity and collaboration.

But what about creativity? It’s an important factor — and one that should be addressed head-on.

I think that fostering creativity within office cultures is both fundamental, and too often under-emphasized and overlooked. After all, it is creativity that is the glue for so many office cultures today. Just think Google.

Within Google corporate cultures you can see how having a creative work office design literally feeds the Google work culture — ultimately leading to more innovation, better employee satisfaction, retention and outreach.

Here is a quick look around the Google Chicago office so you can get a glimpse of what I’m talking about (before I go on): Read more

Does More Choice Yield Better Customization?

“Design on Demand” is becoming ever-more prevalent. With its surfacing, you and your client will be given more, and sometimes new, choice. Such customization is bound to change certain aspects of architectural design, perhaps even helping you to make your design better.

If you think about it, more customization is good when its quality and speed are high, and cost is acceptable. Since spaces would become more flexible, there would be greater variety with which to meet the needs of your occupant (particularly for those detailed levels of your building design). Thus, the added personalization would be a great way to boost happiness, health and productivity in individuals.

Corporate Culture: Paying Attention To Your Employees’ Differences

When it comes to building climate, and I mean business cultural climate here, it will be interesting to see how “Design on Demand” impacts employees. Culturally speaking, businesses could actually foster an environment where employees are encouraged to Read more

Haworth | Architectural Record

This design by Perkins + Will in Holland, Michigan said that they needed an “environment that would change their culture”, according to Architectural Record’s report. This brings up an interesting point. How can interactive architecture help with a corporation’s cultural evolution?

The culture of a place has to do with how its occupants interrelate with each other, with their clients and with their daily work. As corporations grow their cultures evolve – as do the methods used to reflect or influence that culture from architectural space. But what if architectural space can work directly with employees to help a culture evolve? What should drive that corporate cultural evolution?

Perhaps research into productivity from an employee-centered perspective would be most helpful. Client perception of the corporation may also influence how the architectural design comes together. But why stop here? With interactive architecture an office building’s architectural fabric could include interrelation between both of these perspectives, and more. As interactivity is integrated, rules and goals may provide for evolutionary milestones which may target additional objectives like employee efficiency, creativity, sales and health.