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
For there to be segregation, there usually has to be some communication of segregation. This communication is often, based on its message, damaging to relationships and therefore damaging to freedom and collaboration – two very important ingredients for creativity. Unfortunately, segregation can occur from very subtle factors. This is because segregation is a term that … Continue reading On How Easily Segregation Can Occur
Establishing a high level of trust among your peers and workmates is important for developing an environment where creativity can flourish. Trust is essential for removing boundaries of fear (which is a common block to creativity). Trust will also help in developing fast and flexible organisational structures that can cope with and capture ideas and … Continue reading 6 Ideas on Building Trust
There is an interesting article here by Jeff Guo at the Washington Post that describes how people around you can influence your thoughts and actions. The article describes recent research that shows that during a flight, if the person sitting next to you buys something, you are 30% more likely to buy something yourself. This … Continue reading Are Your Co-workers Blocking Your Creativity?
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
Many businesses that offer design products and services have a close relationship with creativity. This could include businesses that engage in graphic design, industrial and furniture design, architecture, web design, interior design and many others. The proliferation of these types of businesses has caused design to be crystalised into a process that can be managed, … Continue reading How to fit Creativity in the Design Process
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?
For all the management skills and beautiful spaces you can provide for teams, sometimes where you sit them can make a huge difference to the type of work and creativity they produce. In this post, I’ll examine a few of the more common types you might hear discussed these days, along with what characteristics they … Continue reading Office Seating Arrangements and What They Mean
producing creativity 