A New York Times article (18-07-11) Beyond the Cubicle discusses the different types of requirement for the modern day working space design. It seems that what people want and need is a focus on quality interactions in preference to the latest office furntiture concpet [be that a cubicle or not!]. This is an interesting article that explores why it's important to meet flexible working needs and effectively apply design thinking to the puzzle of work - what we do, and why and where we do it.
Nice link. I think productivity is the keyword and whatever encourages that should be partof the environment created. Interesting thoughts. Joe
Posted by: Website Design York | February 08, 2012 at 06:46 PM
I had forgotten about this article and enjoyed reading it again. I agree with you that good design can absolutely inspire creativity and collaboration but work practices matter as well. Especially in places that have such an embedded way of doing work (classrooms, hospitals, organizations, airports, and so on), which makes re-designs challenging. But can we rethink the way we practice, that is the way we use these spaces, even if the floor plan doesn't change? I think so.
Posted by: Carey | June 29, 2012 at 10:56 PM
@Carey I would absolutely agree with you here - in fact (and even speaking as an architect) I really do think that people's behaviour and activity in any space is one of the key factors in defining place.
In fact it might be quite surprising just how much our perception of space is affected by our idea of space...
Posted by: Derek Jones | July 23, 2012 at 01:06 PM