Past Event

Paris, France

Our first WOD event in Paris sparked a lively conversation around a thought-provoking question: “Are we still designing spaces for people to work rather than to belong?” – together with APE Grupo and Futurea, we explored their latest New Habitat research through four key themes: experience and belonging, the future of the workplace, technology and the human, and turning design intentions into meaningful change.

Across the four discussions, Harsha Kotak (WOD), Amber Brett Carson (M Moser Associates), Naomi Sakamoto and Laura Gelso (Gensler), and May Fawzy (European Council of Interior Architects, ECIA) brought a wealth of expertise, diverse perspectives and real-world experience.

One message emerged clearly: human-centric design must remain at the heart of everything we do. Naomi Sakamoto shared an example of how technology is becoming increasingly embedded in workplace design—from meeting rooms that can listen and take notes to the equally important need for spaces where people can step away from technology altogether. Finding the right balance through design is essential.

Held in English, the event welcomed an engaged audience whose questions and perspectives enriched the discussion and made the evening a truly shared exchange.

A warm thank you to ACTIU for hosting us in their beautiful Paris showroom, and to everyone who joined us and contributed to such an open and thought-provoking conversation.