Alexandra Burns

Connect, Inspire, Regroup: A workplace of 2030

Architects of future workplaces will be required to take on the social responsibility of creating spaces that are accessible, inclusive and attuned to the needs of individuals both the micro and community scale. Studies have shown that workers’ inability to control the ambient properties of their workplace environment is likely to result in increased levels of stress. This has spurred has spurred an increased focus on individually controlled microclimates.

Not only will the “mix-use” office building of the future for a community, but it will also be required to recognize the specific needs of individual workers. This means a recognition of the impact of the workplace environment on mental and physical well-being.

This project responds to this issue through the provision of health promoting elements such as access to natural light, the use of warm textural materials, spacious mixed-use breakout spaces that encourage social interaction and workstations that enable user flexibility. This project will thus cater for a diverse range of requirements in the provision of secondary spaces for loud and quiet tasks, a variety of public and private spaces and operable façade systems that allow for user automation.

In the context of a society with a growing awareness of the impact of the work environment on mental health, the office of 2030 will respond to the need for a more human aware design.