Regenerator’s Dilemma unpacks disruptive trends and the innovators shaping our neighborhoods and cities. Today we look into how to design for innovation, with 5 lessons to get you started.
What’s covered:
Nailing the right brief, and why it matters
Different innovation typologies, and which to select
Key principles to check off when designing an innovative place
5 Lessons From A Non-Architect.
It’s interesting. You see, everyone says they design innovative places. Everyone in the business of designing locations, that is. Designers, developers, operators. Others too.
But the truth is, no one’s got the secret sauce. There’s no industry playbook.
Yep, I know. Here’s where you want to challenge me. “What about the quadruple helix? Serendipity? The world-class innovation programs I run...”
You can feel my eyebrows raising, can’t you?
Last month we looked into how to make places more real. Now I want to dive into how to make them more innovative. Through design at least.
So today, this is the focus. Not operational strategies. And not the everyday buzzwords we hear.
Now let's set one thing straight. I’m not claiming to have the secret sauce. And yes, I’m not an architect. But believe me, I've got some lessons to share.
We’ll get into these. But first, let’s look at how to kick things off.
Step One, Nail The Brief.
Designing an innovative place starts with creating a killer brief. Don’t doubt it, don’t skip it. You see, you might be tempted to dive in and start. But before you do, you need to know where you’re heading. A brief will help set some guardrails for the design process.
Here’s a quick outline to get you started:
Outline your project elements (the who, what, when, where, why)
Define a core target audience (single user vs. multiple, and intended anchor)
Scope out an operation model (cluster vs. programs vs. consulting vs. all)
Note: this goes beyond the typical development brief by looking beyond the build to who’s inside, and your plans to operate.
To get mobilized, test your brief with project stakeholders and future users. But don’t get bogged down on it. A week or two should do the trick. Then iterate.
→ Lesson One: Get your brief right. It will ground your build assumptions, core target audience and intended operational model. This will help guide your next important decisions.
Next, Pick A Typology.
Now that you’ve defined the needs of your users (customers), the next step is to select the spatial layout that fits best. Here, choosing the right typology is crucial if the goal is to make a place more innovative. I’ll get on to why, but first the options:
The Single Building
Summary: a siloed building, or one sitting within a larger cluster. Private access.
Best for: larger firms, firms with security/privacy concerns, who want to open up—but on their own terms.
The Multi-User Building
Summary: siloed users with independent access, or sometimes shared. Private and/or shared access.
Best for: firms that desire privacy and security, but shared collaborative environments.
The Shared Unit
Summary: compartmentalized units, fully shared units or variations in between. All with shared common areas and access.
Best for: small teams, startups, solo-entrepreneurs.
The Hub & Spoke
Summary: the new post-pandemic typology, combining one (or more) of the above with a component of work from home.
Best for: open for debate :)
For the past decade, the industry has equated shared space with innovation. Think coworking. Think WeWork. While I tend to agree, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that sharing isn’t for everyone.
In fact, most want to share on their own terms, within their own spaces, with their own rules. And with work shifting more hybrid, no doubt this is being flipped on its head.
It's clear there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. This means picking the right typology is crucial—otherwise, you risk forcing a user into the wrong setup. And doing this is just bad business. In my view, this is where the flex industry gets it all wrong. So to sum up, there’s an important lesson.
→ Lesson Two: Select the typology best suited to fulfill the requirements of your brief. Do what’s best for the user, not your location. Consider factors like size, culture and security requirements to help design the right spatial framework.
Select Your Design Principles.
Sure, there’s no go-to checklist to make a place more innovative. But if I had to make one, I’d start with two key elements:
Principle One: Flow
Arrival: guide the initial user experience and create a first impression.
Circulation: drive movement through a space, avoiding the shortest path at times.
Permeability: open up and create access (connectivity) between important areas.
→ Lesson Three: Work the design to prioritize the right flow. And be intentional about it. This will help guide people to (and from) spaces in and around your location.
Principle Two: Connection
Shared Space: drive connection through common areas.
Proximity: choose which facilities, people, and units to place together.
Instagramable Moments: create memorable experiences to foster a sense of belonging.
→ Lesson Four: Connection is important in each typology design. Think carefully about the placement of offices, communal areas, and the exciting moments that bring users (and visitors) closer to the design.
Two key lessons there. I’ve got more, but we’ll stop here for now. Onward. I want to leave you with a crucial final point.
Don’t Be Fooled.
No doubt, innovation is a weighted term. A hefty one indeed. And people in our industry take advantage of that. So if there’s one key takeaway, it’s to question those who say they know how to design for innovation.
Challenge them.
What’s their track record?
What lessons do they have to share?
Who have they attracted to their locations?
→ Lesson Five: It's one thing to say you make places innovative. Doing it is another. Raise your eyebrows to those who make the claim and interrogate the incentives driving them. This will help you spot who’s real from who’s all talk.
Closing Up.
There you have it. 5 lessons on how to make a place more innovative. From a non-architect, of course. I’ll leave you with one final thought—if you’re still here with me, that is.
There’s one central idea behind these 5 lessons. A pretty simple one too.
Owners and designers need to get closer to their future occupants, especially if the goal is innovation. Perhaps this is the secret sauce we're looking for. Right?
And as we shift into hybrid work models and strive to attract people back to the office this is becoming even more important. But that’s another BIG topic, for another day. So we’ll leave it here for now.
Don’t agree? Eyebrows raised? Then you’ve certainly picked up on Lesson Five. That's great.
I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s chat.
Until next time.
[This article was originally published as a part of the Regenerator's Dilemma series.]
Regenerator’s Dilemma unpacks disruptive trends and the innovators shaping our neighborhoods and cities. Today we look into how to design for innovation, with 5 lessons to get you started.
What’s covered:
Nailing the right brief, and why it matters
Different innovation typologies, and which to select
Key principles to check off when designing an innovative place
5 Lessons From A Non-Architect.
It’s interesting. You see, everyone says they design innovative places. Everyone in the business of designing locations, that is. Designers, developers, operators. Others too.
But the truth is, no one’s got the secret sauce. There’s no industry playbook.
Yep, I know. Here’s where you want to challenge me. “What about the quadruple helix? Serendipity? The world-class innovation programs I run...”
You can feel my eyebrows raising, can’t you?
Last month we looked into how to make places more real. Now I want to dive into how to make them more innovative. Through design at least.
So today, this is the focus. Not operational strategies. And not the everyday buzzwords we hear.
Now let's set one thing straight. I’m not claiming to have the secret sauce. And yes, I’m not an architect. But believe me, I've got some lessons to share.
We’ll get into these. But first, let’s look at how to kick things off.
Step One, Nail The Brief.
Designing an innovative place starts with creating a killer brief. Don’t doubt it, don’t skip it. You see, you might be tempted to dive in and start. But before you do, you need to know where you’re heading. A brief will help set some guardrails for the design process.
Here’s a quick outline to get you started:
Outline your project elements (the who, what, when, where, why)
Define a core target audience (single user vs. multiple, and intended anchor)
Scope out an operation model (cluster vs. programs vs. consulting vs. all)
Note: this goes beyond the typical development brief by looking beyond the build to who’s inside, and your plans to operate.
To get mobilized, test your brief with project stakeholders and future users. But don’t get bogged down on it. A week or two should do the trick. Then iterate.
→ Lesson One: Get your brief right. It will ground your build assumptions, core target audience and intended operational model. This will help guide your next important decisions.
Next, Pick A Typology.
Now that you’ve defined the needs of your users (customers), the next step is to select the spatial layout that fits best. Here, choosing the right typology is crucial if the goal is to make a place more innovative. I’ll get on to why, but first the options:
The Single Building
Summary: a siloed building, or one sitting within a larger cluster. Private access.
Best for: larger firms, firms with security/privacy concerns, who want to open up—but on their own terms.
The Multi-User Building
Summary: siloed users with independent access, or sometimes shared. Private and/or shared access.
Best for: firms that desire privacy and security, but shared collaborative environments.
The Shared Unit
Summary: compartmentalized units, fully shared units or variations in between. All with shared common areas and access.
Best for: small teams, startups, solo-entrepreneurs.
The Hub & Spoke
Summary: the new post-pandemic typology, combining one (or more) of the above with a component of work from home.
Best for: open for debate :)
For the past decade, the industry has equated shared space with innovation. Think coworking. Think WeWork. While I tend to agree, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that sharing isn’t for everyone.
In fact, most want to share on their own terms, within their own spaces, with their own rules. And with work shifting more hybrid, no doubt this is being flipped on its head.
It's clear there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. This means picking the right typology is crucial—otherwise, you risk forcing a user into the wrong setup. And doing this is just bad business. In my view, this is where the flex industry gets it all wrong. So to sum up, there’s an important lesson.
→ Lesson Two: Select the typology best suited to fulfill the requirements of your brief. Do what’s best for the user, not your location. Consider factors like size, culture and security requirements to help design the right spatial framework.
Select Your Design Principles.
Sure, there’s no go-to checklist to make a place more innovative. But if I had to make one, I’d start with two key elements:
Principle One: Flow
Arrival: guide the initial user experience and create a first impression.
Circulation: drive movement through a space, avoiding the shortest path at times.
Permeability: open up and create access (connectivity) between important areas.
→ Lesson Three: Work the design to prioritize the right flow. And be intentional about it. This will help guide people to (and from) spaces in and around your location.
Principle Two: Connection
Shared Space: drive connection through common areas.
Proximity: choose which facilities, people, and units to place together.
Instagramable Moments: create memorable experiences to foster a sense of belonging.
→ Lesson Four: Connection is important in each typology design. Think carefully about the placement of offices, communal areas, and the exciting moments that bring users (and visitors) closer to the design.
Two key lessons there. I’ve got more, but we’ll stop here for now. Onward. I want to leave you with a crucial final point.
Don’t Be Fooled.
No doubt, innovation is a weighted term. A hefty one indeed. And people in our industry take advantage of that. So if there’s one key takeaway, it’s to question those who say they know how to design for innovation.
Challenge them.
What’s their track record?
What lessons do they have to share?
Who have they attracted to their locations?
→ Lesson Five: It's one thing to say you make places innovative. Doing it is another. Raise your eyebrows to those who make the claim and interrogate the incentives driving them. This will help you spot who’s real from who’s all talk.
Closing Up.
There you have it. 5 lessons on how to make a place more innovative. From a non-architect, of course. I’ll leave you with one final thought—if you’re still here with me, that is.
There’s one central idea behind these 5 lessons. A pretty simple one too.
Owners and designers need to get closer to their future occupants, especially if the goal is innovation. Perhaps this is the secret sauce we're looking for. Right?
And as we shift into hybrid work models and strive to attract people back to the office this is becoming even more important. But that’s another BIG topic, for another day. So we’ll leave it here for now.
Don’t agree? Eyebrows raised? Then you’ve certainly picked up on Lesson Five. That's great.
I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s chat.
Until next time.
[This article was originally published as a part of the Regenerator's Dilemma series.]
Regenerator’s Dilemma unpacks disruptive trends and the innovators shaping our neighborhoods and cities. Today we look into how to design for innovation, with 5 lessons to get you started.
What’s covered:
Nailing the right brief, and why it matters
Different innovation typologies, and which to select
Key principles to check off when designing an innovative place
5 Lessons From A Non-Architect.
It’s interesting. You see, everyone says they design innovative places. Everyone in the business of designing locations, that is. Designers, developers, operators. Others too.
But the truth is, no one’s got the secret sauce. There’s no industry playbook.
Yep, I know. Here’s where you want to challenge me. “What about the quadruple helix? Serendipity? The world-class innovation programs I run...”
You can feel my eyebrows raising, can’t you?
Last month we looked into how to make places more real. Now I want to dive into how to make them more innovative. Through design at least.
So today, this is the focus. Not operational strategies. And not the everyday buzzwords we hear.
Now let's set one thing straight. I’m not claiming to have the secret sauce. And yes, I’m not an architect. But believe me, I've got some lessons to share.
We’ll get into these. But first, let’s look at how to kick things off.
Step One, Nail The Brief.
Designing an innovative place starts with creating a killer brief. Don’t doubt it, don’t skip it. You see, you might be tempted to dive in and start. But before you do, you need to know where you’re heading. A brief will help set some guardrails for the design process.
Here’s a quick outline to get you started:
Outline your project elements (the who, what, when, where, why)
Define a core target audience (single user vs. multiple, and intended anchor)
Scope out an operation model (cluster vs. programs vs. consulting vs. all)
Note: this goes beyond the typical development brief by looking beyond the build to who’s inside, and your plans to operate.
To get mobilized, test your brief with project stakeholders and future users. But don’t get bogged down on it. A week or two should do the trick. Then iterate.
→ Lesson One: Get your brief right. It will ground your build assumptions, core target audience and intended operational model. This will help guide your next important decisions.
Next, Pick A Typology.
Now that you’ve defined the needs of your users (customers), the next step is to select the spatial layout that fits best. Here, choosing the right typology is crucial if the goal is to make a place more innovative. I’ll get on to why, but first the options:
The Single Building
Summary: a siloed building, or one sitting within a larger cluster. Private access.
Best for: larger firms, firms with security/privacy concerns, who want to open up—but on their own terms.
The Multi-User Building
Summary: siloed users with independent access, or sometimes shared. Private and/or shared access.
Best for: firms that desire privacy and security, but shared collaborative environments.
The Shared Unit
Summary: compartmentalized units, fully shared units or variations in between. All with shared common areas and access.
Best for: small teams, startups, solo-entrepreneurs.
The Hub & Spoke
Summary: the new post-pandemic typology, combining one (or more) of the above with a component of work from home.
Best for: open for debate :)
For the past decade, the industry has equated shared space with innovation. Think coworking. Think WeWork. While I tend to agree, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that sharing isn’t for everyone.
In fact, most want to share on their own terms, within their own spaces, with their own rules. And with work shifting more hybrid, no doubt this is being flipped on its head.
It's clear there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. This means picking the right typology is crucial—otherwise, you risk forcing a user into the wrong setup. And doing this is just bad business. In my view, this is where the flex industry gets it all wrong. So to sum up, there’s an important lesson.
→ Lesson Two: Select the typology best suited to fulfill the requirements of your brief. Do what’s best for the user, not your location. Consider factors like size, culture and security requirements to help design the right spatial framework.
Select Your Design Principles.
Sure, there’s no go-to checklist to make a place more innovative. But if I had to make one, I’d start with two key elements:
Principle One: Flow
Arrival: guide the initial user experience and create a first impression.
Circulation: drive movement through a space, avoiding the shortest path at times.
Permeability: open up and create access (connectivity) between important areas.
→ Lesson Three: Work the design to prioritize the right flow. And be intentional about it. This will help guide people to (and from) spaces in and around your location.
Principle Two: Connection
Shared Space: drive connection through common areas.
Proximity: choose which facilities, people, and units to place together.
Instagramable Moments: create memorable experiences to foster a sense of belonging.
→ Lesson Four: Connection is important in each typology design. Think carefully about the placement of offices, communal areas, and the exciting moments that bring users (and visitors) closer to the design.
Two key lessons there. I’ve got more, but we’ll stop here for now. Onward. I want to leave you with a crucial final point.
Don’t Be Fooled.
No doubt, innovation is a weighted term. A hefty one indeed. And people in our industry take advantage of that. So if there’s one key takeaway, it’s to question those who say they know how to design for innovation.
Challenge them.
What’s their track record?
What lessons do they have to share?
Who have they attracted to their locations?
→ Lesson Five: It's one thing to say you make places innovative. Doing it is another. Raise your eyebrows to those who make the claim and interrogate the incentives driving them. This will help you spot who’s real from who’s all talk.
Closing Up.
There you have it. 5 lessons on how to make a place more innovative. From a non-architect, of course. I’ll leave you with one final thought—if you’re still here with me, that is.
There’s one central idea behind these 5 lessons. A pretty simple one too.
Owners and designers need to get closer to their future occupants, especially if the goal is innovation. Perhaps this is the secret sauce we're looking for. Right?
And as we shift into hybrid work models and strive to attract people back to the office this is becoming even more important. But that’s another BIG topic, for another day. So we’ll leave it here for now.
Don’t agree? Eyebrows raised? Then you’ve certainly picked up on Lesson Five. That's great.
I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s chat.
Until next time.
[This article was originally published as a part of the Regenerator's Dilemma series.]
Regenerator’s Dilemma unpacks disruptive trends and the innovators shaping our neighborhoods and cities. Today we look into how to design for innovation, with 5 lessons to get you started.
What’s covered:
Nailing the right brief, and why it matters
Different innovation typologies, and which to select
Key principles to check off when designing an innovative place
Regenerator’s Dilemma unpacks disruptive trends and the innovators shaping our neighborhoods and cities. Today we look into how to design for innovation, with 5 lessons to get you started.
What’s covered:
Nailing the right brief, and why it matters
Different innovation typologies, and which to select
Key principles to check off when designing an innovative place
5 Lessons From A Non-Architect.
It’s interesting. You see, everyone says they design innovative places. Everyone in the business of designing locations, that is. Designers, developers, operators. Others too.
But the truth is, no one’s got the secret sauce. There’s no industry playbook.
Yep, I know. Here’s where you want to challenge me. “What about the quadruple helix? Serendipity? The world-class innovation programs I run...”
You can feel my eyebrows raising, can’t you?
Last month we looked into how to make places more real. Now I want to dive into how to make them more innovative. Through design at least.
So today, this is the focus. Not operational strategies. And not the everyday buzzwords we hear.
Now let's set one thing straight. I’m not claiming to have the secret sauce. And yes, I’m not an architect. But believe me, I've got some lessons to share.
We’ll get into these. But first, let’s look at how to kick things off.
Step One, Nail The Brief.
Designing an innovative place starts with creating a killer brief. Don’t doubt it, don’t skip it. You see, you might be tempted to dive in and start. But before you do, you need to know where you’re heading. A brief will help set some guardrails for the design process.
Here’s a quick outline to get you started:
Outline your project elements (the who, what, when, where, why)
Define a core target audience (single user vs. multiple, and intended anchor)
Scope out an operation model (cluster vs. programs vs. consulting vs. all)
Note: this goes beyond the typical development brief by looking beyond the build to who’s inside, and your plans to operate.
To get mobilized, test your brief with project stakeholders and future users. But don’t get bogged down on it. A week or two should do the trick. Then iterate.
→ Lesson One: Get your brief right. It will ground your build assumptions, core target audience and intended operational model. This will help guide your next important decisions.
Next, Pick A Typology.
Now that you’ve defined the needs of your users (customers), the next step is to select the spatial layout that fits best. Here, choosing the right typology is crucial if the goal is to make a place more innovative. I’ll get on to why, but first the options:
The Single Building
Summary: a siloed building, or one sitting within a larger cluster. Private access.
Best for: larger firms, firms with security/privacy concerns, who want to open up—but on their own terms.
The Multi-User Building
Summary: siloed users with independent access, or sometimes shared. Private and/or shared access.
Best for: firms that desire privacy and security, but shared collaborative environments.
The Shared Unit
Summary: compartmentalized units, fully shared units or variations in between. All with shared common areas and access.
Best for: small teams, startups, solo-entrepreneurs.
The Hub & Spoke
Summary: the new post-pandemic typology, combining one (or more) of the above with a component of work from home.
Best for: open for debate :)
For the past decade, the industry has equated shared space with innovation. Think coworking. Think WeWork. While I tend to agree, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that sharing isn’t for everyone.
In fact, most want to share on their own terms, within their own spaces, with their own rules. And with work shifting more hybrid, no doubt this is being flipped on its head.
It's clear there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. This means picking the right typology is crucial—otherwise, you risk forcing a user into the wrong setup. And doing this is just bad business. In my view, this is where the flex industry gets it all wrong. So to sum up, there’s an important lesson.
→ Lesson Two: Select the typology best suited to fulfill the requirements of your brief. Do what’s best for the user, not your location. Consider factors like size, culture and security requirements to help design the right spatial framework.
Select Your Design Principles.
Sure, there’s no go-to checklist to make a place more innovative. But if I had to make one, I’d start with two key elements:
Principle One: Flow
Arrival: guide the initial user experience and create a first impression.
Circulation: drive movement through a space, avoiding the shortest path at times.
Permeability: open up and create access (connectivity) between important areas.
→ Lesson Three: Work the design to prioritize the right flow. And be intentional about it. This will help guide people to (and from) spaces in and around your location.
Principle Two: Connection
Shared Space: drive connection through common areas.
Proximity: choose which facilities, people, and units to place together.
Instagramable Moments: create memorable experiences to foster a sense of belonging.
→ Lesson Four: Connection is important in each typology design. Think carefully about the placement of offices, communal areas, and the exciting moments that bring users (and visitors) closer to the design.
Two key lessons there. I’ve got more, but we’ll stop here for now. Onward. I want to leave you with a crucial final point.
Don’t Be Fooled.
No doubt, innovation is a weighted term. A hefty one indeed. And people in our industry take advantage of that. So if there’s one key takeaway, it’s to question those who say they know how to design for innovation.
Challenge them.
What’s their track record?
What lessons do they have to share?
Who have they attracted to their locations?
→ Lesson Five: It's one thing to say you make places innovative. Doing it is another. Raise your eyebrows to those who make the claim and interrogate the incentives driving them. This will help you spot who’s real from who’s all talk.
Closing Up.
There you have it. 5 lessons on how to make a place more innovative. From a non-architect, of course. I’ll leave you with one final thought—if you’re still here with me, that is.
There’s one central idea behind these 5 lessons. A pretty simple one too.
Owners and designers need to get closer to their future occupants, especially if the goal is innovation. Perhaps this is the secret sauce we're looking for. Right?
And as we shift into hybrid work models and strive to attract people back to the office this is becoming even more important. But that’s another BIG topic, for another day. So we’ll leave it here for now.
Don’t agree? Eyebrows raised? Then you’ve certainly picked up on Lesson Five. That's great.
I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s chat.
Until next time.
[This article was originally published as a part of the Regenerator's Dilemma series.]
Key Facts
Policy
/
July 9, 2024
Designing For Innovation
Jeremy Bamberg
Opinion
,
Regenerator’s Dilemma unpacks disruptive trends and the innovators shaping our neighborhoods and cities. Today we look into how to design for innovation, with 5 lessons to get you started.
What’s covered:
Nailing the right brief, and why it matters
Different innovation typologies, and which to select
Key principles to check off when designing an innovative place
5 Lessons From A Non-Architect.
It’s interesting. You see, everyone says they design innovative places. Everyone in the business of designing locations, that is. Designers, developers, operators. Others too.
But the truth is, no one’s got the secret sauce. There’s no industry playbook.
Yep, I know. Here’s where you want to challenge me. “What about the quadruple helix? Serendipity? The world-class innovation programs I run...”
You can feel my eyebrows raising, can’t you?
Last month we looked into how to make places more real. Now I want to dive into how to make them more innovative. Through design at least.
So today, this is the focus. Not operational strategies. And not the everyday buzzwords we hear.
Now let's set one thing straight. I’m not claiming to have the secret sauce. And yes, I’m not an architect. But believe me, I've got some lessons to share.
We’ll get into these. But first, let’s look at how to kick things off.
Step One, Nail The Brief.
Designing an innovative place starts with creating a killer brief. Don’t doubt it, don’t skip it. You see, you might be tempted to dive in and start. But before you do, you need to know where you’re heading. A brief will help set some guardrails for the design process.
Here’s a quick outline to get you started:
Outline your project elements (the who, what, when, where, why)
Define a core target audience (single user vs. multiple, and intended anchor)
Scope out an operation model (cluster vs. programs vs. consulting vs. all)
Note: this goes beyond the typical development brief by looking beyond the build to who’s inside, and your plans to operate.
To get mobilized, test your brief with project stakeholders and future users. But don’t get bogged down on it. A week or two should do the trick. Then iterate.
→ Lesson One: Get your brief right. It will ground your build assumptions, core target audience and intended operational model. This will help guide your next important decisions.
Next, Pick A Typology.
Now that you’ve defined the needs of your users (customers), the next step is to select the spatial layout that fits best. Here, choosing the right typology is crucial if the goal is to make a place more innovative. I’ll get on to why, but first the options:
The Single Building
Summary: a siloed building, or one sitting within a larger cluster. Private access.
Best for: larger firms, firms with security/privacy concerns, who want to open up—but on their own terms.
The Multi-User Building
Summary: siloed users with independent access, or sometimes shared. Private and/or shared access.
Best for: firms that desire privacy and security, but shared collaborative environments.
The Shared Unit
Summary: compartmentalized units, fully shared units or variations in between. All with shared common areas and access.
Best for: small teams, startups, solo-entrepreneurs.
The Hub & Spoke
Summary: the new post-pandemic typology, combining one (or more) of the above with a component of work from home.
Best for: open for debate :)
For the past decade, the industry has equated shared space with innovation. Think coworking. Think WeWork. While I tend to agree, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that sharing isn’t for everyone.
In fact, most want to share on their own terms, within their own spaces, with their own rules. And with work shifting more hybrid, no doubt this is being flipped on its head.
It's clear there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. This means picking the right typology is crucial—otherwise, you risk forcing a user into the wrong setup. And doing this is just bad business. In my view, this is where the flex industry gets it all wrong. So to sum up, there’s an important lesson.
→ Lesson Two: Select the typology best suited to fulfill the requirements of your brief. Do what’s best for the user, not your location. Consider factors like size, culture and security requirements to help design the right spatial framework.
Select Your Design Principles.
Sure, there’s no go-to checklist to make a place more innovative. But if I had to make one, I’d start with two key elements:
Principle One: Flow
Arrival: guide the initial user experience and create a first impression.
Circulation: drive movement through a space, avoiding the shortest path at times.
Permeability: open up and create access (connectivity) between important areas.
→ Lesson Three: Work the design to prioritize the right flow. And be intentional about it. This will help guide people to (and from) spaces in and around your location.
Principle Two: Connection
Shared Space: drive connection through common areas.
Proximity: choose which facilities, people, and units to place together.
Instagramable Moments: create memorable experiences to foster a sense of belonging.
→ Lesson Four: Connection is important in each typology design. Think carefully about the placement of offices, communal areas, and the exciting moments that bring users (and visitors) closer to the design.
Two key lessons there. I’ve got more, but we’ll stop here for now. Onward. I want to leave you with a crucial final point.
Don’t Be Fooled.
No doubt, innovation is a weighted term. A hefty one indeed. And people in our industry take advantage of that. So if there’s one key takeaway, it’s to question those who say they know how to design for innovation.
Challenge them.
What’s their track record?
What lessons do they have to share?
Who have they attracted to their locations?
→ Lesson Five: It's one thing to say you make places innovative. Doing it is another. Raise your eyebrows to those who make the claim and interrogate the incentives driving them. This will help you spot who’s real from who’s all talk.
Closing Up.
There you have it. 5 lessons on how to make a place more innovative. From a non-architect, of course. I’ll leave you with one final thought—if you’re still here with me, that is.
There’s one central idea behind these 5 lessons. A pretty simple one too.
Owners and designers need to get closer to their future occupants, especially if the goal is innovation. Perhaps this is the secret sauce we're looking for. Right?
And as we shift into hybrid work models and strive to attract people back to the office this is becoming even more important. But that’s another BIG topic, for another day. So we’ll leave it here for now.
Don’t agree? Eyebrows raised? Then you’ve certainly picked up on Lesson Five. That's great.
I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s chat.
Until next time.
[This article was originally published as a part of the Regenerator's Dilemma series.]
Regenerator’s Dilemma unpacks disruptive trends and the innovators shaping our neighborhoods and cities. Today we look into how to design for innovation, with 5 lessons to get you started.
What’s covered:
Nailing the right brief, and why it matters
Different innovation typologies, and which to select
Key principles to check off when designing an innovative place
5 Lessons From A Non-Architect.
It’s interesting. You see, everyone says they design innovative places. Everyone in the business of designing locations, that is. Designers, developers, operators. Others too.
But the truth is, no one’s got the secret sauce. There’s no industry playbook.
Yep, I know. Here’s where you want to challenge me. “What about the quadruple helix? Serendipity? The world-class innovation programs I run...”
You can feel my eyebrows raising, can’t you?
Last month we looked into how to make places more real. Now I want to dive into how to make them more innovative. Through design at least.
So today, this is the focus. Not operational strategies. And not the everyday buzzwords we hear.
Now let's set one thing straight. I’m not claiming to have the secret sauce. And yes, I’m not an architect. But believe me, I've got some lessons to share.
We’ll get into these. But first, let’s look at how to kick things off.
Step One, Nail The Brief.
Designing an innovative place starts with creating a killer brief. Don’t doubt it, don’t skip it. You see, you might be tempted to dive in and start. But before you do, you need to know where you’re heading. A brief will help set some guardrails for the design process.
Here’s a quick outline to get you started:
Outline your project elements (the who, what, when, where, why)
Define a core target audience (single user vs. multiple, and intended anchor)
Scope out an operation model (cluster vs. programs vs. consulting vs. all)
Note: this goes beyond the typical development brief by looking beyond the build to who’s inside, and your plans to operate.
To get mobilized, test your brief with project stakeholders and future users. But don’t get bogged down on it. A week or two should do the trick. Then iterate.
→ Lesson One: Get your brief right. It will ground your build assumptions, core target audience and intended operational model. This will help guide your next important decisions.
Next, Pick A Typology.
Now that you’ve defined the needs of your users (customers), the next step is to select the spatial layout that fits best. Here, choosing the right typology is crucial if the goal is to make a place more innovative. I’ll get on to why, but first the options:
The Single Building
Summary: a siloed building, or one sitting within a larger cluster. Private access.
Best for: larger firms, firms with security/privacy concerns, who want to open up—but on their own terms.
The Multi-User Building
Summary: siloed users with independent access, or sometimes shared. Private and/or shared access.
Best for: firms that desire privacy and security, but shared collaborative environments.
The Shared Unit
Summary: compartmentalized units, fully shared units or variations in between. All with shared common areas and access.
Best for: small teams, startups, solo-entrepreneurs.
The Hub & Spoke
Summary: the new post-pandemic typology, combining one (or more) of the above with a component of work from home.
Best for: open for debate :)
For the past decade, the industry has equated shared space with innovation. Think coworking. Think WeWork. While I tend to agree, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that sharing isn’t for everyone.
In fact, most want to share on their own terms, within their own spaces, with their own rules. And with work shifting more hybrid, no doubt this is being flipped on its head.
It's clear there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. This means picking the right typology is crucial—otherwise, you risk forcing a user into the wrong setup. And doing this is just bad business. In my view, this is where the flex industry gets it all wrong. So to sum up, there’s an important lesson.
→ Lesson Two: Select the typology best suited to fulfill the requirements of your brief. Do what’s best for the user, not your location. Consider factors like size, culture and security requirements to help design the right spatial framework.
Select Your Design Principles.
Sure, there’s no go-to checklist to make a place more innovative. But if I had to make one, I’d start with two key elements:
Principle One: Flow
Arrival: guide the initial user experience and create a first impression.
Circulation: drive movement through a space, avoiding the shortest path at times.
Permeability: open up and create access (connectivity) between important areas.
→ Lesson Three: Work the design to prioritize the right flow. And be intentional about it. This will help guide people to (and from) spaces in and around your location.
Principle Two: Connection
Shared Space: drive connection through common areas.
Proximity: choose which facilities, people, and units to place together.
Instagramable Moments: create memorable experiences to foster a sense of belonging.
→ Lesson Four: Connection is important in each typology design. Think carefully about the placement of offices, communal areas, and the exciting moments that bring users (and visitors) closer to the design.
Two key lessons there. I’ve got more, but we’ll stop here for now. Onward. I want to leave you with a crucial final point.
Don’t Be Fooled.
No doubt, innovation is a weighted term. A hefty one indeed. And people in our industry take advantage of that. So if there’s one key takeaway, it’s to question those who say they know how to design for innovation.
Challenge them.
What’s their track record?
What lessons do they have to share?
Who have they attracted to their locations?
→ Lesson Five: It's one thing to say you make places innovative. Doing it is another. Raise your eyebrows to those who make the claim and interrogate the incentives driving them. This will help you spot who’s real from who’s all talk.
Closing Up.
There you have it. 5 lessons on how to make a place more innovative. From a non-architect, of course. I’ll leave you with one final thought—if you’re still here with me, that is.
There’s one central idea behind these 5 lessons. A pretty simple one too.
Owners and designers need to get closer to their future occupants, especially if the goal is innovation. Perhaps this is the secret sauce we're looking for. Right?
And as we shift into hybrid work models and strive to attract people back to the office this is becoming even more important. But that’s another BIG topic, for another day. So we’ll leave it here for now.
Don’t agree? Eyebrows raised? Then you’ve certainly picked up on Lesson Five. That's great.
I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s chat.
Until next time.
[This article was originally published as a part of the Regenerator's Dilemma series.]
Regenerator’s Dilemma unpacks disruptive trends and the innovators shaping our neighborhoods and cities. Today we look into how to design for innovation, with 5 lessons to get you started.
What’s covered:
Nailing the right brief, and why it matters
Different innovation typologies, and which to select
Key principles to check off when designing an innovative place
5 Lessons From A Non-Architect.
It’s interesting. You see, everyone says they design innovative places. Everyone in the business of designing locations, that is. Designers, developers, operators. Others too.
But the truth is, no one’s got the secret sauce. There’s no industry playbook.
Yep, I know. Here’s where you want to challenge me. “What about the quadruple helix? Serendipity? The world-class innovation programs I run...”
You can feel my eyebrows raising, can’t you?
Last month we looked into how to make places more real. Now I want to dive into how to make them more innovative. Through design at least.
So today, this is the focus. Not operational strategies. And not the everyday buzzwords we hear.
Now let's set one thing straight. I’m not claiming to have the secret sauce. And yes, I’m not an architect. But believe me, I've got some lessons to share.
We’ll get into these. But first, let’s look at how to kick things off.
Step One, Nail The Brief.
Designing an innovative place starts with creating a killer brief. Don’t doubt it, don’t skip it. You see, you might be tempted to dive in and start. But before you do, you need to know where you’re heading. A brief will help set some guardrails for the design process.
Here’s a quick outline to get you started:
Outline your project elements (the who, what, when, where, why)
Define a core target audience (single user vs. multiple, and intended anchor)
Scope out an operation model (cluster vs. programs vs. consulting vs. all)
Note: this goes beyond the typical development brief by looking beyond the build to who’s inside, and your plans to operate.
To get mobilized, test your brief with project stakeholders and future users. But don’t get bogged down on it. A week or two should do the trick. Then iterate.
→ Lesson One: Get your brief right. It will ground your build assumptions, core target audience and intended operational model. This will help guide your next important decisions.
Next, Pick A Typology.
Now that you’ve defined the needs of your users (customers), the next step is to select the spatial layout that fits best. Here, choosing the right typology is crucial if the goal is to make a place more innovative. I’ll get on to why, but first the options:
The Single Building
Summary: a siloed building, or one sitting within a larger cluster. Private access.
Best for: larger firms, firms with security/privacy concerns, who want to open up—but on their own terms.
The Multi-User Building
Summary: siloed users with independent access, or sometimes shared. Private and/or shared access.
Best for: firms that desire privacy and security, but shared collaborative environments.
The Shared Unit
Summary: compartmentalized units, fully shared units or variations in between. All with shared common areas and access.
Best for: small teams, startups, solo-entrepreneurs.
The Hub & Spoke
Summary: the new post-pandemic typology, combining one (or more) of the above with a component of work from home.
Best for: open for debate :)
For the past decade, the industry has equated shared space with innovation. Think coworking. Think WeWork. While I tend to agree, if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s that sharing isn’t for everyone.
In fact, most want to share on their own terms, within their own spaces, with their own rules. And with work shifting more hybrid, no doubt this is being flipped on its head.
It's clear there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. This means picking the right typology is crucial—otherwise, you risk forcing a user into the wrong setup. And doing this is just bad business. In my view, this is where the flex industry gets it all wrong. So to sum up, there’s an important lesson.
→ Lesson Two: Select the typology best suited to fulfill the requirements of your brief. Do what’s best for the user, not your location. Consider factors like size, culture and security requirements to help design the right spatial framework.
Select Your Design Principles.
Sure, there’s no go-to checklist to make a place more innovative. But if I had to make one, I’d start with two key elements:
Principle One: Flow
Arrival: guide the initial user experience and create a first impression.
Circulation: drive movement through a space, avoiding the shortest path at times.
Permeability: open up and create access (connectivity) between important areas.
→ Lesson Three: Work the design to prioritize the right flow. And be intentional about it. This will help guide people to (and from) spaces in and around your location.
Principle Two: Connection
Shared Space: drive connection through common areas.
Proximity: choose which facilities, people, and units to place together.
Instagramable Moments: create memorable experiences to foster a sense of belonging.
→ Lesson Four: Connection is important in each typology design. Think carefully about the placement of offices, communal areas, and the exciting moments that bring users (and visitors) closer to the design.
Two key lessons there. I’ve got more, but we’ll stop here for now. Onward. I want to leave you with a crucial final point.
Don’t Be Fooled.
No doubt, innovation is a weighted term. A hefty one indeed. And people in our industry take advantage of that. So if there’s one key takeaway, it’s to question those who say they know how to design for innovation.
Challenge them.
What’s their track record?
What lessons do they have to share?
Who have they attracted to their locations?
→ Lesson Five: It's one thing to say you make places innovative. Doing it is another. Raise your eyebrows to those who make the claim and interrogate the incentives driving them. This will help you spot who’s real from who’s all talk.
Closing Up.
There you have it. 5 lessons on how to make a place more innovative. From a non-architect, of course. I’ll leave you with one final thought—if you’re still here with me, that is.
There’s one central idea behind these 5 lessons. A pretty simple one too.
Owners and designers need to get closer to their future occupants, especially if the goal is innovation. Perhaps this is the secret sauce we're looking for. Right?
And as we shift into hybrid work models and strive to attract people back to the office this is becoming even more important. But that’s another BIG topic, for another day. So we’ll leave it here for now.
Don’t agree? Eyebrows raised? Then you’ve certainly picked up on Lesson Five. That's great.
I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s chat.
Until next time.
[This article was originally published as a part of the Regenerator's Dilemma series.]
