A Conversation with Laureen, Design Lead, Agile Dezign Works

By Robert Kroon

August Berres: Thanks for taking the time to chat with me today. I'm interested in learning more about your process for creating flexible workspaces.

Laureen: My pleasure! It's a really exciting area of design right now.

August Berres: Let's start with your typical process. How do you approach a project where the goal is a flexible workspace?

Laureen: It always begins with understanding the client's needs. We dive deep into their work culture, how their teams collaborate, their current challenges with their existing space, and their future growth plans. We look at things like:

• Work styles: Do they need collaborative hubs, quiet focus areas, or a mix?

• Technology needs: How do they use technology in their work, and what infrastructure is required?

• Employee feedback: We often conduct surveys or workshops to gather input directly from the people who will be using the space.

Once we have a solid understanding of their needs, we move into the design phase. This involves:

• Space planning: Creating layouts that optimize flow and functionality.

• Furniture selection: Choosing adaptable and modular furniture that can be easily reconfigured.

• Technology integration: Ensuring seamless integration of technology to support various work styles.

• Material and finish selection: Creating an environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

August Berres: What are some of the biggest challenges you face when designing flexible workspaces?

Laureen: One of the biggest challenges is balancing the need for flexibility with the need for structure. It's important to create a space that can adapt to changing needs, but it also needs to provide a sense of order and organization. Other challenges include:

• Predicting future needs: It's difficult to anticipate how a company's needs might evolve over time.

• Managing change: Implementing a new workspace design can be disruptive for employees, so it's important to manage the change effectively.

• Budget constraints: Balancing the desire for high-quality, flexible solutions with budget limitations.

August Berres: How do you measure the success of your designs?

Laureen: We use a variety of metrics to measure success, including:

• Employee satisfaction: We conduct post-occupancy surveys to gather feedback from employees on how they are using the space and how it is impacting their work.

• Space utilization: We track how different areas of the workspace are being used to identify any underutilized or overcrowded areas.

• Productivity and collaboration: We look for improvements in productivity and collaboration as a result of the new workspace design.

August Berres: How often do clients typically request revisions during the design process, and what are the common reasons?

Laureen: Revisions are a normal part of the process. I'd say most projects have at least 2-3 rounds of revisions. Common reasons include:

• Changes in business needs: A company might experience unexpected growth or a shift in their business strategy, which requires adjustments to the workspace design.

• Feedback from stakeholders: As the design progresses, different stakeholders might provide feedback that necessitates changes.

• Budget adjustments: Sometimes clients need to adjust the scope of the project due to budget constraints.

August Berres: Finally, how do you think Agile Furniture, with its focus on modular and adaptable furniture systems, could improve your process and benefit your clients?

Laureen: Agile Furniture has a lot of potential to enhance our process and deliver better outcomes for clients. Here's how:

• Increased flexibility: Agile Furniture's modularity allows for easy reconfiguration of the workspace as needs change, which is crucial for creating truly flexible environments.

• Faster implementation: The ease of assembly and disassembly of Agile Furniture can significantly reduce installation time and minimize disruption to the client's operations.

• Cost-effectiveness: The ability to reconfigure and reuse Agile Furniture components can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to traditional fixed furniture solutions.

• Sustainability: Many Agile Furniture systems are designed with sustainability in mind, using recycled materials and minimizing waste, which aligns with the growing focus on environmentally responsible design.

By incorporating Agile Furniture into our designs, we can create workspaces that are not only flexible and functional but also more sustainable and cost-effective for our clients. It allows us to create spaces that can evolve with their needs, ensuring a long-term return on their investment.

August Berres: With the rise of AI, are clients asking for Agile Workplaces to assist with the rapid organizational changes that characterize agile leadership?

Laureen: That's a very insightful question. We are seeing a growing interest in agile workspaces, and the rise of AI and its impact on organizational structures is certainly a contributing factor. Clients recognize that their workplaces be as adaptable and responsive as their teams and processes. They need spaces that can be quickly reconfigured to support new project teams, changing workflows, and evolving business strategies. Agile Furniture, with its inherent flexibility, is a natural fit for these environments. While clients may not specifically mention "AI" in their requests, the underlying need for agility and adaptability, driven in part by the rapid changes AI is bringing, is definitely a key driver in their demand for flexible workspace solutions. They're looking for furniture and designs that can keep pace with the dynamic nature of modern business, and that's precisely what Agile Furniture offers.

August Berres: Thank you for your insights. This has been very informative.

Laureen: You're welcome! It was a pleasure.