What is this thing we call architecture? Historically, architects have focused on the building as an object.

Think the Parthenon. The Pantheon. Chartres Cathedral. Or the Tempietto in Rome.

The truth is that all buildings do and have served a greater purpose than the iconic representation of style. Buildings make our society more humane and shape the human experience. Architects, in turn, shape our society through the creative processes they lead.

Leaders in today’s multi-disciplinary architecture firms focus beyond the formal characteristics of buildings. They design the physical manifestation of organizational strategies and brands. This includes logos, graphics, and the full range of three-dimensional physical reality, including the adaptation of existing buildings, additions, interiors, and sites. The highest concern for these leaders is how they shape the physical world we occupy. Ultimately, the goal is to create positive experiences for occupants which connect them to a richer human experience.

The next architecture is one where boundaries are clear, and occupants recognize they are part of a connected society. Design is the connective tissue between individuals. The architect’s ethical obligation is to look at how they can help people relate to each other and encourage them to explore their relationships.

This topic is one of the biggest conversations that we, as a society, are actively discussing in a variety of facets:

We are collectively struggling our way out of a global pandemic. It seems like the pandemic has alerted us to be hyper-focused on our relationship to one another. Previously, we didn’t think twice about how we greeted or interfaced. Now, on the heels and in the active midst of a pandemic, there is a lot of focus on how we choose to interact. A broad spectrum of rules and protocols that are being explored and discussed…and debated.

The tragic deaths of George Floyd and countless other persons of color and the marches to bring awareness have reminded us of the imbalanced systemic structures on which our country was formed. We know that there is a long history of neighborhood exclusion for certain groups. Our planners, zoning regulations, and the covenants that are attached to land planning and developments have carved up our cities to limit, promote, discourage, or encourage accessibility to land use for various demographics or groups including socio-economic classes and ethnic groups.

Technology and generational preferences for how we harness technology in our daily lives have modified our collective patience. We are much more impatient. People expect to be connected, desire more transparency, and eschew linear processes – wanting everything to happen NOW. Boundaries are becoming blurred. This is forcing us as architects to reconsider how we define building perimeters and envelopes, how transparent, welcoming, and accessible are our buildings, and how do we grow to be more intentional about the cues we offer to those who occupy or wish to occupy our built environment. Because, if the architecture does not support the need for connectivity and accessibility, they will certainly not be successful.

Post-pandemic, we don’t really know how things will evolve.

This is a topic that our firm is exploring. Early in the pandemic, we developed a webinar on what we’ve coined as the FLEX model for workplace design. We see the workplace becoming more and more diverse and reinvented as a corporate headquarters, your home, and many different types of “third spaces”.

We need to create boundaries or frameworks for activity, not barriers. Boundaries help us grow and co-exist with our neighbors while barriers create isolation and prevent mutual growth. When paired with edges and thresholds, boundaries support and celebrate a culture of difference and diversity that will provide us with reasons to want to connect with one other.

Our issues with boundaries are the fundamental problems of society. If we keep this conversation in the realm of the physical, it has to do with boundaries, demarcation, precincts, and areas. But, if we extend this conversation to the realm of the metaphysical, it has to do with the connective tissue that nourishes society.

And we all play a role in bringing nutrients to our neighbors.

FLEX isn’t an original idea, but it’s a powerful one that can transform company culture, create efficiencies, increase productivity, and save money.
Let’s get out of the pinball game of home to work, work to home, and back again. Let’s start to think about the 3rd place in our lives that helps us focus less on where we do work and more on doing it.
Truly FLEXible work arrangements can save companies up to 30% over five years on leases, renovations, and depreciating assets.
Truly FLEXible work arrangements improve employee satisfaction and job retention.
Truly FLEXible work arrangements increase productivity and provide optimal work/life balance.

We’ve heard too much about the future of work.
We’re ready to talk about the future of productivity.

Are you?

LET’S GET IN TOUCH.

Culture Shift

With Millennials making up the majority of today’s workforce and Gen Z making their entrance, tomorrow’s workforce is demanding flexibility, support, and transparency from their employers.

In 2020, we experienced a rapid change in workplace extremes — 100% in the office to 100% working from home. As companies look to regain their balance, our designers have analyzed how to optimize for future flexibility, health and safety, productivity, employee satisfaction, and overall cost savings.

As architects, we are acutely attuned to how culture drives change. As an organization, company culture encompasses our environment, standards, relationships and communication. Because it touches every part of a business, company culture drives a business’s bottom line.

Typologies Explode

What we know for certain: the old typology of everyone working from one singular hub has been disrupted.

Each workplace, whether it’s your home office or a Class-A building downtown, is a design challenge. But, by focusing on the work, we can reinvent the workplaces of our lives — flexible solutions that work for an individual’s needs, not the needs of a faceless and generic “worker.”

The future of work requires all spaces to flex and function together as a comprehensive unit.

With more than 50 years of designing innovative, functional workspaces, recently recognized in WorkDesign Magazine’s 2021 Next Work Environment Competition, our team has the expertise to guide our clients into a bright, productive future.

HQ

The FLEX model transforms a typical headquarters into a destination space that supports collaboration and provides access to specialty technology and equipment.

OVERALL REDUCED FOOTPRINT

With remote and 3rd spaces as permanent additions, the quantity of private offices and assigned workstations can be greatly reduced. Organizations can save on real estate costs by leaning on external workplaces to supplement the HQ.

REALLOCATION OF SPACE

Since most will utilize their home office for focused, heads-down work, HQ should feature an efficient hoteling model and plenty of collaboration space to allow teams to connect in-person temporarily when needed. It is also important that HQ be able to flex with mobile furniture, space and technology for functions that require large gatherings, such as All-Hands meetings or holiday parties.

WFH

This remote workspace can be customized to each individual’s preference and personal workflow. While working from home, employees may pursue a more flexible schedule and improved work-life balance. From considerations such as personality type, religious practices, and medical needs, WFH allows the ability to meet both personal and professional goals. These benefits increase employee retention and job satisfaction.

With reduced real estate costs allocated to HQ, business may provide a stipend to help employees create the perfect WFH space.

3rd Spaces

The future of working, learning, and living are intertwined. Organizations will begin to expand their borders and connect to new markets by renting spaces in various locations.

SATELLITE OFFICES

Companies may opt out to utilize a variety of smaller, specialized office locations throughout the same city. In addition to affordable real estate, these locations are more accessible for employees in suburban neighborhoods.

COWORKING SPACES

These spaces offer flexibility, reduced risk, and benefits such as childcare, dining, entertainment, community, and more.

RETAIL, COMMUNITY, & EDUCATION SPACES

Coffee shops, libraries, and parks provide public workspaces and resources without cost to employers. Public-private partnerships may be another mutually-beneficial channel to pursue.

As we create new environments for the workforce, we must address health & safety, technology, and communication in each space to harness the benefits of each into a cohesive, flexible solution. Our teams are ready to chat about what this means for you.

“… Sounds Expensive”

Let’s let the numbers talk.

With the cost savings from downsizing headquarters, a reduced turnover rate and higher productivity output by accommodating employee needs, companies can save up to 30% over five years.

Transitioning to a FLEX model is not only attainable but integral to retaining a motivated workforce and remaining at the forefront of your industry.

Still, we know every company is unique and we are not a one-size-fits-all type of firm. As partners, we will learn your company culture, lay out your current assets, and walk through how the FLEX model can work for you.

Month: May 2022

Place is a Human Topic

You Deserve (a flexible) Environment that Works