Studio Talks: How Can We Better Understand the Evolving Role of Architectural Design?
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Within the last 10 months, our team has continued to see an increase in awareness for the wellness quality of interior environments.
In conversing on the quality of our spaces, and how people should interact and feel within their work environments, we can reflect on the integral role a healthy work environment plays in promoting productivity, creativity, and less sick “down time” for its employees.
Creativity with new materials goes a long way and does not have to blow the budget. Whether it is never seen imaginative elements such as hanging felt flowers for sound control, or interior offices that resemble shipping containers for a shipping transport company, our “fun” designs are some of our most successful ones.
Bill Herchakowski, R.A., Project Architect
At the forefront of these healthy work environments are premium tools and technology such as sensory systems used to drive many of our comfort zones and conveniences. When we prioritize lighting and lighting controls, we are able to experience and execute projects with a quality of light that has been linked to positive impact on performance and allows for significant quality of space.
I think our practice prioritizes engagement and user interaction in the workplace by framing a very pragmatic solution to drive our designed solution. This strategy allows us to manage budget while taking advantage of as many modern conveniences at our disposal.
Will Nunez, Project Architect
Yet despite the benefits of integrating modern tech tools with architecture, not all projects can afford such solution. With this, many times the budget has a way of leading restriction and presenting economic challenge that drives design development unequal to the quality of space at hand.
As an architectural designer, this can be both an inspiring problem or frustrating challenge. Contextually on the one hand, we have autonomous vehicles, flights to outer space, A.I., smart materials, and extraordinary advances in sustainability – an ever-increasing limitless playing field but not without a premium cost. On the other hand, we have architecture – the primitive hut, with its same built walls, on a concrete slab and the ceiling tiles to keep the birds out of our snack trays.
So how do we move forward and mitigate this gap?
Instead of developing a project to experience design, perhaps our evolving role in architecture should lead the design of the experience. By framing the intention of our work towards designing the experience, we continue to focus on connectivity, both human and tech, as a way to push forward the optimization of our spaces.
Will Nunez, Project Architect