Though it may sound cliché, change is constant.
In response, we’ve been exploring ways to support the evolving needs and expectations of workspaces by introducing a philosophy of “Living in Beta.” The spirit of this philosophy is we can support and accommodate the inevitable changes in work by intentionally designing with change in mind. This requires a shift from an install-and-move-on mindset to one that permits reexamining, reimagining, and responding to needs of the space.
Investing in Hackable Spaces, a Furniture Kit of Parts, and a Spatial Kit of Parts can support Living in Beta..
• Hackable Spaces – Designs that allow users to reconfigure furniture components to meet their needs.
• Furniture Kit of Parts – A selection of furniture components designed to be reconfigured.
• Spatial Kit of Parts – Designing versatile solutions that fit within standard space sizes, allowing for multiple applications to be implemented easily.
Accepting that change is continual and designing to allow and foster modification may offer confidence to move forward in decision-making. We can also consider that designing for change can support sustainability initiatives.
Fear of making incorrect design decisions or misjudging future uses of the space may lead to someone investing in a “fast” or “temporary” solution. It is understandable to opt for a temporary, inexpensive solution when long-term plans are uncertain. However, this direction is potentially flawed in two ways:
1) It is likely that ‘long-term directions’ are non-existent in the quickly evolving workplaces and
2) investment in a “good-enough” solution is likely to have unintended harmful impacts on the environment.
Investment in Living in Beta supports sustainability by reducing waste, being carbon-conscious, and enhancing occupant experience.
Less Waste.
Inexpensive or less-durable furniture solutions have a significantly shorter life span than quality furniture. Moving and repurposing ‘fast furniture’ can reduce life span even more. This could result in disposal of products for each design shift in the space, and often these less expensive solutions cannot be recycled or repurposed, meaning they are headed to landfills.
Furniture and systems that are designed to be moved, reconfigured, and redeployed in multiple applications have been tested to endure change, meaning it stays looking great and functioning well for much longer.
Lower Carbon Footprint.
Workplace solutions that adapt to change can translate to a lower carbon footprint. Studies show that a building remodel’s total embodied carbon can contribute roughly 50% to furniture. Without a plan in place, furniture easily ends up in the landfill rather than being redeployed within the setting. Furniture is built to last longer than lease cycles that now average less than 7 years. Consider a day 2 application at initial install and plan for reallocation of furniture which may include reupholstery or other subtle updates to the physical product itself.
Implementing change management methodologies can facilitate this transition by promoting employee ownership and aligning them with the company’s overarching sustainability goals.
Empowering People.
Employees want to feel supported and productive in the places they work. Many of us go to work with an intentional purpose, and we anticipate that our environments will promote those purposes. By allowing users to ‘hack’ and adapt their spaces, Living in Beta considerations foster autonomy and promote usability. Underutilization of space may start to dissipate as spaces evolve to meet needs. Empowering individuals in their workspace to collaborate, focus, socialize, learn, innovate, and mentor can make real estate investments more meaningful and support productivity.
Living in Beta means that products stay in use and stay relevant within the design. It also means that waste is reduced – wasted product, wasted time, wasted anxiety. In this way, Living in Beta considerations can support small-scale circularity by reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions, and addressing human needs. And small-scale efforts can add up to something big.