Looking at our back catalogue of thought-provoking blog posts, I came across Chris Carr’s article on the Blue Zone idea – and its implementations in the workplace. After diving a little bit deeper, I started to realise that The Blue Zone research project and its subsequent takeaways reminded me of Christopher Alexander’s (et al.) A Pattern Language – a highly regarded exhaustive work of the ‘70s, today somewhat criticised for its post ‘60s ‘scientific idealism’ of the age (but hey, what would we be without idealism?).
The general idea is to study traditionally established building patterns that have proved to be working – be it urban planning or domestic interiors; and create a collection of patterns that suit the individual project – much like working out the common themes in the longest living / happiest populations around the globe.
The importance of space planning
In this new post-covid world I think we can all agree that space planning is planning for wellbeing – first and foremost of the community of employees, by enabling them to
- make best use of their built environment, for work and for rest
- be efficient and effective, doing their best work; not hindered by their surroundings
- feel nurtured and valued
The importance of space planning is that it provides access to an internal community – as an ideas exchange, or as support structure, or a way of relaxation, to help employees feel connected. But space planning is also important for the wellbeing of the organisation itself, by allowing it to function to its best potential, with reduced environmental impact – to a kind of ‘streamlined ideal’, where waste is minimal, be it temporal, physical or spatial.
The workplace has become so much more than before
The value of community is slowly getting recognised (micro and macro) – along with its benefits to wellbeing. Providing spaces of teamwork and collaborations strengthens bonds, the feeling of belonging and helps to develop deeper engagement. Engagement has been on our minds as designers for a while – our Next Gen members have been discussing the topic. Their conversations have also brought up the question of community, exchange and feedback.
A Pattern Language addresses the above questions with recommendations – equally workable in a small town or an office environment. Degree of publicness, providing choice, even down to quiet back zones, to allow bursts of solitary / concentrated work. Access to green, the benefits of biophilic design. Mixing of generations, sharing physical space encourages information sharing, with a variety of disciplines, which in turn leads to a network of learning.
Workplaces have to encourage and support social exchanges – enable gatherings in various sized groups, in enclosed or open / quiet or noisy spaces. To cater for the wide variety of interactions (or lack of) we as humans need to feel fulfilled and supported. We’ve written that space planning is part science, part art. It’s important that we remember that we are designing spaces for people to thrive in.
