RESEARCH + COMPETITIONS HUNTER’S HELPER

COMPETITION : Work Design, 2022 Next Work Environment Competition, Flex-Work / Coworking category (winner)

DATE COMPLETED : 2020-2022

WEB LINK

This competition asked for submissions to examine what the Post-Covid office could look like. Named for one of our principal’s dogs, Hunter, this project uses a petfriendly workplace as a case study for choice-based office design. With choice-based design, we are focusing on advocating for end users to have many options as to how and where to work daily, with separate spaces for focus work, collaboration, and social time. This project included everything from customizable lighting, seating, temperature, and, of course, the choice to bring your dog to work. Flexibility and choice are essential in supporting workplace comfort, and providing for a diverse workplace of poeple with different work styles and needs.

While developing the concept, our team created a chart listing the assets needed to support many forms of comfort and wellness: thermal, acoustic, visual, mental, and physical, echoing the sense of well-being felt at home. Circadian rhythm lighting, air filtration, white noise solutions, and ergonomic furniture are some of the wellness assets included in the workplace. Planters, hanging greenery, and access to an exterior deck bring biophilia into the work day for humans, and give the dogs views of nature, and a park-like play environment.