Key today is embracing designing for new types of spaces – areas to contemplate and refresh. Where do you go “to breathe” and the importance of movement, access to quiet or busy spaces are now comfort factors in the same way as access to daylight has traditionally been.
Meanwhile clients are asking for spaces where they can encourage people to gather. Designing for the entire experience has become more important than ever in how we bring people together in today’s workplace. Wanting employees to come back into the office and bringing people together can mean engendering the feeling of “being part of something bigger than yourself,” commented Simone Fenton-Jones, in the discussion that followed.
Author of the Human-Centric Workplace and Group Director of Workplace Consultancy and Transformation at Vpod Solutions, Simone outlined the importance of listening to people to help inform design decisions. But while gathering data is important, it needs acting on, and this should be a continuous cycle she put forward.
Reflecting on the consequences of decisions was also dependent on the difference between knowing what was wanted, and what is needed.
A requirement to look at people, place, process and tools is important, and Kay put forward that this applies equally to the workplace as it does to consideration of classroom settings for example. Diverse settings, spatial sequencing and sensory zoning all support a more equitable, inclusive and considered space.
With lively audience participation from all those who attended, a great evening was had by all, and was hosted by sponsor Shaw Contract in their London showroom. And a big thank you to Simone for sharing copies of her book – a highly recommended read.