Nothing is as simple as black or white. The open office concept is either scorned or beloved, but is there a middle ground? According to founder and principal of AEI U.S. Studio Juliana Fernandez, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for the office.
In an interview with ArchiExpo e-Magazine, Fernandez explained that while there haven’t been so many innovations in furnishings for the office—we see much of the same typologies—the major advancement in office design today is technology.
“Herman Miller incorporates sensors in its furniture to track user behavior and Steelcase incorporates an audiovisual aspect to its furniture.”
Sensors in the workplace help evaluate how people are using the space and the results are used to develop workplace strategies. AEI is one of the world-class commercial design firms assisting companies in such developments.
With more than 22 years of experience in designing corporate and commercial spaces for prestigious clients such as Microsoft, Fernandez believes companies should aim for a properly tailored workplace strategy so their employees can reach their full potential of productivity.
As technology and our way of working evolve, Fernandez hopes to see the implementation of virtual reality in the office.
Designers?
Clients want flexibility from their interior spaces – Juliana Fernandez (Founder at AEI): https://t.co/O6qei1Psnf#OfficeTrends pic.twitter.com/Qo0OuhGc9e
— AeI (@aeilatam) 25 août 2017
Learn more about office design in our article “The Open Office of Tomorrow, Today” published last June in our special NeoCon issue. The New York Times offers additional information in its article on the “palette of places”.
