This is something that is done so ubiquitously that it might seem strange to even discuss or question it. When we really think about it, however, it is clear that this common office layout technique only exists for one reason: space efficiency. While, yes, commercial office yields have been going up (depending on what part … Continue reading A Major Office Design Frustration
In 1968 Robert Propst invented what has become one of the most hated modern inventions: the cubicle. However, in 1968 it wasn’t the cubicle. It was Action Office II and it looked and functioned quite differently. It is worth pointing out that the cubicle as many of us picture it today, looks nothing like what … Continue reading Contradictions in Creativity: The Story of Cubicles
Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented the first loaf-at-a-time bread slicing machine and sliced bread was first sold commercially in 1928. Humans have been making bread for at least 10,000 years, maybe even 30,000, so the invention of commercially available sliced bread is exceptionally recent. Given the now ubiquitous nature of it, one can easily argue it as … Continue reading Why Innovation by Itself is No Good
One of the items that frequently comes up when considering shaping your environment for creativity is having a variety of distinct and defined spaces to occupy. The low-down is simple: a variety of spaces inspire a variety of modes of thinking and a variety of activities. This is about the creative process itself and it is also … Continue reading Creative Office Examples: A Variety of Spaces
I thought it would be interesting to have a look at some of the workplaces featured in popular TV shows and what they mean for creative endeavor. I’d love to get your thoughts on these or other TV offices also! Suits Jessica’s Office For the supposedly top law firm of Pearson & Whatever Season You … Continue reading Analysing the Offices of Our Favourite TV Shows
The argument is clear: to increase creativity I need to spend money on developing practices or upgrading my work-space. How do I know this will pay off? You don’t know. In business and in life, you rarely know. That is why there is a whole field called Risk Management. Many businesses – and I have … Continue reading Will Being More Creative Add Costs?
A series of articles in a recent Harvard Business Review discusses the balance between transparency and privacy in offices. This issue is of particular importance to offices in creative industries because the work process can be a lot more fragile and sometimes personal. Although not about architecture or architectural offices these articles seemed to hit … Continue reading Privacy and Creativity
There was a recent article in the Australian Financial Review where the writer described an informal tour / interview with Tyler Brulé, editor-in-chief of the Monocle publication, of the Monocle offices. The writer described Brulé’s unrelenting attention to detail and almost tyrannical control over the visual landscape of the offices – going so far as … Continue reading Is Beautiful Space Always Creative Space?
producing creativity 