While many of us are fortunate to be reflecting on how essential good health and relationships are during this time, I’ve also been using this period to map out some personal thoughts and observations on a newfound tool in my arsenal — a mind map. As a designer sensitive to the experience of spaces, there is a sizeable portion of this map dedicated to thoughts about its future.
Knowing the world as we know it won’t be the same, what will the future of spaces look like?
1. Moving from mono-purpose to hybrid spaces
Transition from distinct space types into fewer, overlapping categories.
In the same way that cafes have become the third-space, it’s about time we move away from constraints based on labelling spaces into neat boxes such as ‘workplace’, ‘residential’, ‘hospitality’, ‘retail’, etc. This third-space mindset can be scaled as designers, architects, developers, and policy-makers focus significantly more on the user experience in the inception/design process. By prioritising it, there could be a whole new world of hybrids that will serve us (and the planet) better.
2. Redefining sizes
Starting with an understanding of user needs, we can develop new occupancy ratios, affecting quantities needed.
As our needs shift from primarily being in traditional workplaces to spaces we would like to work in, these will translate into changes in floor plate & building size, shifting urban design & masterplanning. This year’s reset has only accelerated the decentralisation of productivity away from offices that started decades ago.
3. Balancing between local and global
Re-contextualising time and distances.
This global reset highlights changes in the volume and quality of our consumption for the planet to sustainably accommodate us, including our time. Can we use our energies to innovate more, reuse and repurpose or to think more local? See this as a chance to take advantage of locally-sourced techniques & materials, shipping shorter distances, and putting smaller towns back on the map. In addition, this is also a great time to extend our understanding of more cultures across the oceans.
4. Returning to craftsmanship as a strategy
How are life cycle and environmental mindsets reflected in budgets and policies?
Related to the point above on being kinder to the planet with our resources, we can be just as kind with our consumption. Spaces are to be designed and built to last, with room for flexibility and seasonal additions/deductions. Can we design the lighting systems with operational costs for the life of the space in mind and not just the upfront installation? As they say, consumers ‘vote’ with money. This is a challenge to choose better.
5. Redefining comfort
These are the main touch points in user experience. Amplifying qualitative aspects starts with understanding the users. Definitions of comfort vary, so we also need to seek clarity on how they would describe this during research. Furthermore, it’s in this understanding where we begin to exceed expectations and bring delight.
- Proportion : What’s the right square footage for the intended purpose? Can we create more height? Is there adequate visual relief? How will this change planning standards?
- Tactility : Will the materials evoke familiarity, emotions, pleasure, or delight? What will the user be reminded of with the use of this surface? How will sounds bounce off?
- Technology in service : Vs “in service of technology”; Are they easy to find AND easy to use?
- Inclusivity : Are we designing for people of different ages? Are the spaces built with different levels of abilities in mind?
- Ultra-hygiene : Are the spaces designed for upkeep? Are surfaces easy to clean? What’s the detail for the countertop where it meets the sink?
- Nourishment : What’s the users’ take on this? How does that affect food storage? Will there be deliveries and how are spaces accessed?
- Time and movement : What’s the sequence and journey from one space to another? Is there a path provided to “walk and talk”? Can spaces change in function between daytime and evenings?
- Psychological safety : How does desk orientation affect focus? Does the space uplift, calm, or energise?
6. Reconnecting data-drivenness with human inspiration
How else do we use artificial intelligence to advance connection with our physical space?
We’ve seen occupancy studies, building intelligence and information management widely carried out in the mainstream. Noticing how predictive modelling have been quickly put together to understand what the next few months will mean for societies, how do we just as expertly create these tools for a micro level, to enhance the human experience? Revisiting Maslow’s hierarchy and through understanding consumer aspirations alongside inspiration, how do we recreate the definition of delight within our spaces with hard data?
7. Effecting and Affecting business models
Driving desirability, feasibility, and viability.
If our lives move towards a different ratio between local and global living, there will be huge shifts in business models. How will focusing on month-long rentals change our view of space allocations? Are there solutions other than multi-use developments?
Last, but not least,
8. Redesigning education and professions
We’ve started seeing this in the past decade — there’s no better time than now to accelerate this.
If you’ve read this far, you’ll have noticed that these points are by no means exhaustive yet absolutely interconnected. I’d like to highlight a collective need for an ‘infinite’ mindset, as author Simon Sinek calls it.
There’s simply no other way to welcome the bright future ahead of us.
About the author:
Jennie has spent the past 20+ years in the full spectrum of environments creation with consultancies, Fortune 500’s and scaling startups. She thrives in innovating physical user experience inspired by diversity and evidence.
Previous article/s:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/closing-gap-between-digital-physical-experiences-jennie-n-so/
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