Holly W. Samuelson’s Post

Energy is what we are and how balanced our energy centres are, indicates the flow or blocks we experience in our day to day life. As most of us spend beyond 12 hours focusing on our work, within our workplace or working from home, the design of our work area becomes critical for the balancing of our internal energy and external manifestation of success within each area of our life- physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual and social-- this article gives us a beautiful understanding of how we can build collaborative workplaces.

I love learning about ways companies are making workspaces more inclusive and neurodiverse-friendly. This article (an interview with a design firm partner) highlights a few ways this can be done—and why it's so important. Notes: - She estimates the prevalence of neurodivergence at 15-20%. Given the lack of awareness and widespread misunderstanding of what neurodivergence means—and a clear underreporting, for many, many reasons—I think this number is closer to 30% or higher. - *Every* workplace with more than one person in it is neurodiverse by default. Every brain's a little bit different. Quotes: Q: What are some of the most common needs of neurodivergent employees from a workplace design perspective?  A: Design approaches that ease sensory stimulation are key for neurodivergent employees, including ambient noise abatement, quiet areas and an attention to light levels. In fact, implementing design strategies in the workplace that support the well-being, productivity and comfort of neurodivergent staff benefits a wide range of employees. Q: And what can companies do to better accommodate neurodivergent employees? A: The good news is the recommendations for neurodivergent people are practical, effective and good for everyone. Simply put, they are human-centered interiors designed to meet the various ways people think, learn and experience the world around them. They are environments that put the user at the heart of the design process to create effective, flexible solutions catering to employees’ challenges and desires. "Not enough is being done for people with sensory and developmental disabilities who are experiencing issues with anxiety, sensory stimulation and communication. It seems if we want to see more people coming into the office, it behooves the design community to make the office workable for everyone. That’s just good design." Does your organization have human-centered interiors? Are workspaces designed with all humans in mind? Link to the full article in the comments. #neurodiversity #designforall #neurodiversityinbusiness #neurodiversityatwork

Could these facts change your opinion on communal spaces in workplace design? 🤔 It's interesting how human brain works towards change and innovation. We naturally tend to put more focus and energy towards the negatives. Even though communal areas in the workplace is very much old news to most of us, most businesses (or the decision makers) are still focusing on the fact that a few sofas and a kitchen island is a distraction for the employees rather than an investment into their company culture and employee wellbeing. And the facts here speak for themselves 👇 1/4 of the world's population feel lonely and lack a sense of community around them, which then can lead to some very dark statistics.. I think a well designed workplace can really help to improve this situation with just a few easy improvements in the design of the space itself. Need some ideas? 💡 Get in touch and let's chat more: studio@spaceforedit.com Full video with many more tips on how to improve workplace design here: https://lnkd.in/erqGFu4w

Our viewers posed some interesting questions on workplace design. And answering them was our guest Ryan Anderson. Ryan is MillerKnoll's VP of Global Research and Insights. MillerKnoll is a leader in workplace design. Viewer Bill teed up a question about ergonomic seating. And viewer CJ asked about supporting the workspace needs of neurodivergent talent on her team. Employee Experience or EX is critical to creating well functioning and harmonious workplaces. And, MillerKnoll has long been the preeminent leader of workplace design thinking that enmeshes form, function, and fun into their installations. Joining the discussion were thought-leader of future of work, workplace, and CRE on LinkedIn Francis Saele, CEO of LiquidSpace Mark Gilbreath, and WHAT'S YOUR WORK FIT? executive producer and show host Dan Smolen. Watch as Ryan answers viewer questions here. (It's like a workplace design masterclass.) Indeed, our best days lie ahead. #futureofwork #workplace #employeeexperience #EX #workfit

Learn about the latest strategies to create adaptable, employee-centric workspaces that evolve with your team's needs in the article below! #workspace #resilient #adaptable #design

"The future of work is not just about technology or policies; it’s about creating spaces that reflect our understanding of what it means to work well." It is very much possible to design work spaces where productivity, success and wellness seamlessly coexist. Employers have to start doing everything they can to create work environments that contribute to a healthier, more inspired work experience for their employees, and I believe a huge part of this starts with design.

Thoughtful workplace design goes beyond aesthetics. As designers, we must also address the diverse needs of employees and their wellbeing to deliver a better workplace experience. #combatworkplaceloneliness #createworkplaceexperience #fosteremployeeengagement #healthandwellness #differentspacetypes

Earlier this year, we sat down with Gareth van Zyl, Design Director at our sister company Sketch Studios, to explore a trending workplace discussion: how can we prepare the workplace for neurodivergent employees? In collaboration with Gareth's design expertise and insights from our workplace consultants, we examined the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals and identified key elements that support a positive environment, from colour schemes to fabric textures. From this discussion, we've created the top three elements every organisation needs to implement in their office design. Want to know more about designing an inclusive environment? Check out more insights from this discussion! 👉 https://bit.ly/3UfdBG4 #innovation #futureofwork #workplace #strategy #workplaceconsultants #neurodiversity #design #workplacedesign

10 Ideas to Design for Workplace Zen: This year, many of us are on a personal journey to find Zen—slowing down to a steady, productive pace, simplifying our lives, rejecting clutter, and choosing nature over technology. And as the lines blur between work life and home, focus on design elements that appeal to the 5 senses. https://lnkd.in/gesR_2P4

“A lot of workplace design has been built on speculation.” Ooof! That was one jarring comment from our guest on the What's Your Work Fit in the Workplace? Series Ryan Anderson. Ryan is MillerKnoll's VP of Global Research and Insights. MillerKnoll is a globally recognized and respected leader in workplace furnishings and design. Joining the What's Your Work Fit in the Workplace? Series discussion were thought-leader of future of work, workplace, and CRE on LinkedIn Francis Saele, CEO of LiquidSpace Mark Gilbreath, and WHAT'S YOUR WORK FIT? executive producer and show host Dan Smolen. Employee Experience or EX is critical to creating well functioning and harmonious workplaces. And, MillerKnoll has long been the preeminent leader of workplace design thinking that enmeshes form, function, and fun into their installations. Watch as Ryan describes how workplace design currently evolves in a lot of companies. (His commentary is like a masterclass.) Indeed, our best days lie ahead. 😁 I’m Dan. As host and executive producer of WHAT'S YOUR WORK FIT? I help you make your work and workplace decisions result in better and more satisfying professional experiences and outcomes. Ring my 🔔 to discover more about me and my mission. #futureofwork #workplace #employeeexperience #EX #workfit