By: Mandeep Jawanda
My username on delicious.com is @msjawand, webpage: Link to my Delicious account
Introduction
For this assignment I investigated and analyzed biophilic architectural design. In particular, I was interested in how office space design shapes and influences the behaviour of employees in their working environment. My research led me to Google (Inc.); I chose this organization because they have shown a strong propensity to be leaders and innovators of incorporating biophilic design. My primary focus for this assignment was to look at Google’s main headquarters, and how the organization incorporates biophilia into the design elements of this building. Nature through a holistic approach is a key element in the way Google facilitated the footprint of their building, with a strong emphasis placed on the well being of their employees. What was determined through my literature review and video research is that people are at the centre of how the office space is configured at Google, with almost an equal emphasis placed on bringing the open environment back into every facet of their facility.
First and Second Text Sources Combined
My first text source looked at two academic journals located through the University of Alberta databases. My findings from these articles can be found in the paragraphs below. I linked these journal articles in the online bookmark manager delicious.com through my SkyDrive. My second text source looked at two different YouTube videos in which they explore the Google headquarters main facility, with a particular emphasis placed on the design elements. These videos highlight and demonstrate the interactions they occur between the people at Google, and the way in which they operate in their working environment. Additionally, these videos bring a visual element to the theory presented in the journal articles.
Google’s unique approach to their office structure design can be attributed to many different factors, such as their unorthodox methods of conducting business. The organization in essence has taken a biological approach rather than a mechanical stance. This was iterated by Turner and Myerson (2000), “The materials, space plans, equipment, and environmental controls that make up the complex picture of workplace design need to be turned to the changing needs of the organization and the people who work in it,” (p.45).
Ergonomics can play a pivotal role in the architectural design of a building. The physical space of an organization is just as important as the type of management methodology that is being implemented by the organization. “The culture of the organization within which we work determines to a significant extent how effective, successful, and fulfilled we are in our professional lives,” (Turner & Myerson, 2000, p.45). The ecology of an organization can have a direct affect on the morale of the employees within the organization. However, many senior managers do not see the value or significance of their physical environment. Instead many top mangers focus their time and energy towards employee management only. “In many cases senior mangers seem content to leave office facilities departments to maintain standards of decoration and tidiness appropriate to the general corporate image, without seeming to be aware of the wider change-management issues related to the office environment,” (Turner & Myerson, 2000, p.45).
As per Turner and Myerson (2000), many organizations have continued to adopt a masculine style to their office space that is reminiscent of the industrial age. These organizations have continued to adopt an old methodology of scientific management. As a result maintaining control of the working environment is critical for their success, and thus the office space under this philosophy should not be comfortable. If the work setting becomes too informal then the employees may adopt a lackadaisical mindset to their business commitments. Google contradicts this belief my taking a holistic identity relating to corporate culture that can be seen directly in their unique office design, “Google’s Mountain View, CA headquarters, presents something of a shock. The cool blond wood and carefully recessed lighting which have marked the power of industrial firms for decades have disappeared. In their place, plain white walls are posted with some two dozen unframed photographs of giant sculptures set out in a flat, white desert and of fireworks exploding over the head of a giant neon stick figure,” (Turner, 2009, p.74). This paradigm shift is a reflection of the changing social dynamics that are occurring throughout various organizations, as more attention is placed on the importance of the working environment.
Third Text Source
In terms of the future, what will biophilic design look like, what could be some of the elements we incorporate into our office spaces in the years to come? Furthermore, how will work-life balance function in these evolving organizational design dynamics? These are some of the basic fundamental questions that need to be answered in order to take the next step in the proliferation of the traditional office space design.
To provide greater insight into this issue, I present the class with a video found on Vimeo in which Philip Beesley presents his ideas on the future of design. Philip Beesley is an associate professor at the University of Waterloo within the Architecture department. His work is considered at the forefront of the quickly expanding responsive architecture that incorporates technology. His projects feature interactive kinetic systems that use a wide selection of sensors, actuator and microprocessors systems precisely placed within lightweight structures. These environments pursue dispersed emotional awareness within artificial and near-living systems. During the interview, Beesley explains how architecture of the future could be active in some ways.
Conclusion
Biophilic architectural designs are used throughout various industries and to varying capacities. Google is one organization that has adopted these principles into their organizational plan, and has shown tremendous success. The potential growth and impact that biophilic principles can have on industry practices and people cannot be understated, and with visionaries like Philip Beesley the future is bright.
References for Text Source 1
Turner, F. (2009). Burning man at google: A cultural infrastructure for new media production. New Media & Society, 11(1/2), 73-94.
Link to "Burning Man" Journal Article
Turner, G., & Myerson, J. (2000). By the book: new workspace, new culture. Journal For Quality & Participation, 23(5), 45.
Link to "By the Book" Journal Article
References for Text Source 2
This video was created by the Travel and Living Channel. It was aired on a television program called “Extreme Work Places.” The video was uploaded and posted to YouTube by CG RAMP on July 6, 2012.
Video retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQO3xK9g_CE
Link to "Working at Google (Tour of Google)" YouTube Video
This video was created by Google Inc. The video was uploaded and published to YouTube by Google on June 4, 2013.
Video retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9No-FiEInLA
Link to "Google interns' first week" YouTube Video
Reference for Text Source 3
Video Title: “Philip Beesley: Hylozoic Ground”
Location and Date of Interview: The Canadian Pavilion at the 12th International Architecture Exhibition, Venice, Italy, August 27/28, 2010
Video Producers: G. Gilmore, H. Schmidt
Video retrieved from http://vimeo.com/14979991
Link to "Philip Beesley: Hylozoic Ground" Vimeo Video
My username on delicious.com is @msjawand, webpage: Link to my Delicious account
Introduction
For this assignment I investigated and analyzed biophilic architectural design. In particular, I was interested in how office space design shapes and influences the behaviour of employees in their working environment. My research led me to Google (Inc.); I chose this organization because they have shown a strong propensity to be leaders and innovators of incorporating biophilic design. My primary focus for this assignment was to look at Google’s main headquarters, and how the organization incorporates biophilia into the design elements of this building. Nature through a holistic approach is a key element in the way Google facilitated the footprint of their building, with a strong emphasis placed on the well being of their employees. What was determined through my literature review and video research is that people are at the centre of how the office space is configured at Google, with almost an equal emphasis placed on bringing the open environment back into every facet of their facility.
First and Second Text Sources Combined
My first text source looked at two academic journals located through the University of Alberta databases. My findings from these articles can be found in the paragraphs below. I linked these journal articles in the online bookmark manager delicious.com through my SkyDrive. My second text source looked at two different YouTube videos in which they explore the Google headquarters main facility, with a particular emphasis placed on the design elements. These videos highlight and demonstrate the interactions they occur between the people at Google, and the way in which they operate in their working environment. Additionally, these videos bring a visual element to the theory presented in the journal articles.
Google’s unique approach to their office structure design can be attributed to many different factors, such as their unorthodox methods of conducting business. The organization in essence has taken a biological approach rather than a mechanical stance. This was iterated by Turner and Myerson (2000), “The materials, space plans, equipment, and environmental controls that make up the complex picture of workplace design need to be turned to the changing needs of the organization and the people who work in it,” (p.45).
Ergonomics can play a pivotal role in the architectural design of a building. The physical space of an organization is just as important as the type of management methodology that is being implemented by the organization. “The culture of the organization within which we work determines to a significant extent how effective, successful, and fulfilled we are in our professional lives,” (Turner & Myerson, 2000, p.45). The ecology of an organization can have a direct affect on the morale of the employees within the organization. However, many senior managers do not see the value or significance of their physical environment. Instead many top mangers focus their time and energy towards employee management only. “In many cases senior mangers seem content to leave office facilities departments to maintain standards of decoration and tidiness appropriate to the general corporate image, without seeming to be aware of the wider change-management issues related to the office environment,” (Turner & Myerson, 2000, p.45).
As per Turner and Myerson (2000), many organizations have continued to adopt a masculine style to their office space that is reminiscent of the industrial age. These organizations have continued to adopt an old methodology of scientific management. As a result maintaining control of the working environment is critical for their success, and thus the office space under this philosophy should not be comfortable. If the work setting becomes too informal then the employees may adopt a lackadaisical mindset to their business commitments. Google contradicts this belief my taking a holistic identity relating to corporate culture that can be seen directly in their unique office design, “Google’s Mountain View, CA headquarters, presents something of a shock. The cool blond wood and carefully recessed lighting which have marked the power of industrial firms for decades have disappeared. In their place, plain white walls are posted with some two dozen unframed photographs of giant sculptures set out in a flat, white desert and of fireworks exploding over the head of a giant neon stick figure,” (Turner, 2009, p.74). This paradigm shift is a reflection of the changing social dynamics that are occurring throughout various organizations, as more attention is placed on the importance of the working environment.
Third Text Source
In terms of the future, what will biophilic design look like, what could be some of the elements we incorporate into our office spaces in the years to come? Furthermore, how will work-life balance function in these evolving organizational design dynamics? These are some of the basic fundamental questions that need to be answered in order to take the next step in the proliferation of the traditional office space design.
To provide greater insight into this issue, I present the class with a video found on Vimeo in which Philip Beesley presents his ideas on the future of design. Philip Beesley is an associate professor at the University of Waterloo within the Architecture department. His work is considered at the forefront of the quickly expanding responsive architecture that incorporates technology. His projects feature interactive kinetic systems that use a wide selection of sensors, actuator and microprocessors systems precisely placed within lightweight structures. These environments pursue dispersed emotional awareness within artificial and near-living systems. During the interview, Beesley explains how architecture of the future could be active in some ways.
Conclusion
Biophilic architectural designs are used throughout various industries and to varying capacities. Google is one organization that has adopted these principles into their organizational plan, and has shown tremendous success. The potential growth and impact that biophilic principles can have on industry practices and people cannot be understated, and with visionaries like Philip Beesley the future is bright.
References for Text Source 1
Turner, F. (2009). Burning man at google: A cultural infrastructure for new media production. New Media & Society, 11(1/2), 73-94.
Link to "Burning Man" Journal Article
Turner, G., & Myerson, J. (2000). By the book: new workspace, new culture. Journal For Quality & Participation, 23(5), 45.
Link to "By the Book" Journal Article
References for Text Source 2
This video was created by the Travel and Living Channel. It was aired on a television program called “Extreme Work Places.” The video was uploaded and posted to YouTube by CG RAMP on July 6, 2012.
Video retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQO3xK9g_CE
Link to "Working at Google (Tour of Google)" YouTube Video
This video was created by Google Inc. The video was uploaded and published to YouTube by Google on June 4, 2013.
Video retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9No-FiEInLA
Link to "Google interns' first week" YouTube Video
Reference for Text Source 3
Video Title: “Philip Beesley: Hylozoic Ground”
Location and Date of Interview: The Canadian Pavilion at the 12th International Architecture Exhibition, Venice, Italy, August 27/28, 2010
Video Producers: G. Gilmore, H. Schmidt
Video retrieved from http://vimeo.com/14979991
Link to "Philip Beesley: Hylozoic Ground" Vimeo Video
I think this is a really interesting topic - Biophilic architectural design – and I agree that workplace design can have a huge effect on employee well being and productivity. Thanks for sharing the Beesley video too - fascinating that architecture of the future could include movement/activity.
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