The Autonomous Office
The Autonomous Office
Definition:
adj. 1. self-governing;
independent. 2. of or pertaining to
a self-governing or independent
state, community, organization,
etc. 3. Biol. a. existing and
functioning as an independent
organism. b. spontaneous.
--Webster's Universal College
Dictionary. (2001). New York: Random House, Inc.
Relationships
Process
Prototype
Integration
Experimental
Problem
Identification
Analysis
Theory
Way / Concept
Solutions
P.A.Th.Way.S.
Research Questions
1. What capabilities are most likely to enhance opportunities for
user to personalize their individual work space?
2. What spatial attributes factors contribute to improved group or
team success?
3. In what ways can computers or
technology assist in
integrating/connecting/linking the
whole design process? How can
technology be used creatively in
the design process?
Problem
Identification
"Nomadic, autonomous office. This
project focuses on the design of a
prototype mobile office intended to
replace fixed faculty offices throughout
the building (College of Design, ISU,
Ames, IA).
It is required to provide as
many basic conventional
functions of an office as seems
appropriate, including
provisions for 'room-like'
enclosure, security, equipment,
storage, etc.
It is must fit through
a typical classroom
door so it can be
relocated into a
faculty member's
current studio.
The primary focus
is exploration of
product-oriented
approaches to
conventional
interior design
problems."
Problem
Identification
Problem
Identification
Goal
Create a prototype design for a
mobile, independent place or
places to work for a faculty
member in the College of
Design at Iowa State
University, assuming that this
system of parts would replace
the existing fixed faculty
office.
Objectives
Problem
Identification
Basic office features. Provide as many basic conventional functions
of an office as seems appropriate that can be tailored and
transportable to a given setting.
Interchangeability of parts. Provide opportunities for mobile
satellite office features that can be interchanged, reconfigured
/ reorganized, but allow for the set up of a central (and securable)
office "core."
Personalization. Introduce a variety of design features that allow the
faculty user to personalize his/her work environment.
Team building. Introduce a physical structure / entity that fosters
and enhances team building, group creativity and identity between
faculty members in a program or department.
Problem
Identification
Objectives (cont’d)
Transportability. Design transportable components of the office so
they fit a 3' x 5.5' x 6.5'h maximum dimension for individual
transportable components.
Computer and design process. Utilize the computer as a tool as a
means for a) highlighting the design process, b) integrating /
connecting the P.A.Th.Way.S. stages and their respective subparts,
and c) introducing an experimental learning-teaching model.
Program
Functional
Requirements
Transportable—able to move anywhere
within the College of Design Building
(particularly into studio and lecture
rooms).
Universal connections—
needed for user to be able
to arrange and connect
the various components in
as many different ways as
possible to fit their needs,
personalities, or design
style.
Analysis
Transportable—faculty user must be
able to move components without any
outside assistance.
Able to fit into a 3' x 5.5' x 6.5'(h)
volume when transportable
Security—able to be "closed up" and
lockable or secured when user is away
from their office.
Materials—consider
weight and ease of
movement by user for
reconfiguring components
and mobility.
Program (cont’d)
Analysis
General office needs:
- work surface(s)
- storage/surface for printer
- storage/surface for computer laptop
- book storage
- file storage
- misc. equipment storage (pencil, pen,
paper, paper clips, etc.)
Personalization—places or design
opportunities for personalization (shelves
for items, vertical surfaces to pin up items,
manipulation of forms, surfaces to make
design/personal statement)
Acoustical privacy—
ability for user to work in
an enclosed area when
needed
Seating for faculty user—
prototype must be able to
accommodate different
body types
Seating for
visitor(s)—allow
for visitor
discussions or
meetings with user.
Program (cont’d)
Ability to accommodate different
contexts, functions:
Analysis
1. Fully closed, ready for
transport. Appropriate handles/hardware
on components for user guidance and
control.
2. Enclosed—undisturbed solo work
3. Semi-enclosed—working, but
welcomes informal conversations
4. Open—guests welcome, more group
discussions
5. Lecture—ability for user
to use office components
during lectures, with
appropriate storage or
associated equipment as
needed.
6. Studio—similar setup as
lecture, but more one-to-one
communication, and seated
conversations.
Aesthetic
Requirements
Program
Analysis
Artful, sculptural quality—individual components or parts of the
office should exude an artful, sculptural, and independent quality,
where the user is able to reconfigure, organize or tailor these pieces as
they would in the creation of a piece of art.
Other forms of
personalization—besides form,
other means of allowing users to
customize or personalize the
components (color, texture, etc.)
Personalization
Group Dynamics
/ Effective Teams
Theory
Technology as a tool
in Integrating Design
Process
General Office
Design
Personalization
1. What capabilities are most likely
to enhance opportunities for user to
personalize their individual work
space in order to achieve more job
satisfaction and feel part of a
community(s)?
Theory
a. Personalization serves to:
1. articulate and reinforce individual
and group identity,
2. stake out group territory,
3. make the environment more
stimulating, and
4. symbolize a commitment to a
place and the purposes of that place.
b. Residents [or workers] with
the strongest ties to the
neighborhood [workplace]
exhibited more exterior
decorations.
Residents expressed both
individuality and community in
their decorations.
c. More space for
displaying personal
items showed greater
satisfaction with the
environment.
Group Dynamics /
Effective Teams
2. What spatial attributes factors
contribute to improved group or team
success?
Theory
a. Displays of artifacts or products of work
are opportunities to share ideas or work-inprogress with other group members and with
individuals in the larger organization.
b. Emphasis on freedom to explore and the
challenge of meaningful, important work
stimulates creative achievement.
c-1. Features of the environment must facilitate
communication. Physical features that facilitate
communication include having places for face-toface communication, whether planned or
spontaneous. A landmark or kiosk.
c-2. Create nodes of activity
throughout the community,
organization or department .
d. Exterior home
decorations [or
decorations on public
side of work space]
can indicate group
identity.
General Office Design
a. According to BOSTI, “the workplace quality with the strongest effect on
performance and satisfaction is the ability to do distraction-free solo work,
support for impromptu interactions, and support for meetings and
undistracted groupwork."
b. Recognition in an organization represents an important component in job
satisfaction (recognition and personalization share similar attributes in terms
of design o).
Theory
c. Control. Ability to control one's territory in a workplace is an important
feature in job satisfaction and performance.
d. Work communities. "If you spend eight hours
of your day at work, and eight hours at your home,
there is no reason why your workplace should be
any less of a community than your home. Build or
encourage the formation of work communities..."
General Office Design
e. "People cannot work effectively if their workspace is too enclosed or too
exposed. A good workplace strikes the balance." (Alexander, p. 847) Other
variables to consider are the following:
1. Wall behind you. You feel
more comfortable in a workplace
if there is a wall behind you.
Theory
2. Wall to one side. You feel more
comfortable in a workplace if
there is a wall to one side..
3. No blank wall closer than 8 feet
in front of you. As you work you
want to occasionally look up and
rest your eyes by focusing them on
something farther away than the
desk.
4. At least 60 square
feet in area. If your
workspace is any
smaller than 60 square
feet you feel cramped
and claustrophobic.
General Office Design
5. Each workspace should be 50 to 75 per cent enclosed by walls or windows.
6. View to the outside. If you do not have a view to the outside, you feel too
enclosed and oppressed by the building, even if you are working in a large open
office.
7. No other person should work closer than 8 feet to your workspace.
Theory
8. It is uncomfortable if you are not aware of at least two other persons while
you work. On the other hand, you do not want to be aware of more than eight
people.
9. You should not be able to hear noises very different from the kind of noise
you make, from your workplace.
Technology and the
Design Process
3. How can computer technology
assist in integrating, connecting,
linking the whole design process?
Theory
a. Interior Design students prefer an
orderly, step-by-step
learning. Computer-assisted learning
tools are one means of learning and
reporting the design process.
b. A constructivist learning approach allows the
student to utilize existing knowledge to form new
knowledge. A computer can be a powerful
learning tool if they can program, manipulate,
play and control the computer output.
c. Foster links,
relationships,
connections. The
importance for all
interior designers
(practitioners and
students) to be able to
link theory, literature
review / background,
etc. to informed,
innovative design.
Office as
Artwork
Way/Concept
British
Campaign
Furniture
Office as
Artwork
Abstract
Expressionism
Sculpture
Way/Concept
Visual Explorations
Way/Concept
Way/Concept
Abstract Expressionist Examples
Way/Concept
Sculpture Examples
Way/Concept
Concept Sketches….lines & shapes
Way/Concept
Concept Sketches….shapes, color, planes
Storage
Way/Concept
British
Campaign
Furniture
Tables / Surfaces
Storage
Compartmentalized
storage
Hinged doors with
storage on panels
Convenient
handles for
transporting
Sliding drawers
Storage
Compartmentalized
storage
Hinged doors
Ability to close up
compartment for security
and transporting
Convenient handles
for transporting
Storage
Hidden
storage/compartments
Hinged and
securable panels
Portable carrying case
for entire system of parts
Tables / Surfaces
Detachable legs
Compartmentalized or
custom storage for
detachable components
Portable carrying case
for entire system of parts
Main Themes
Ability to reorient, reconnect, expand,
contract
Numerous opportunities for
personalizing space
Impromptu
interactions
Spectator/user as central part of the
piece of art
Distraction-free
group work
Autonomous system of parts
Feel like part of a
community
Pivoting system, where parts can
expand, contract, reorient as desired.
Solutions
Distraction-free
solo work
Components
1. “Core” strength—a columnar
structure of storage, quite possibly for
books. Books symbolic and literal core
of education.
2. Work surfaces and storage—
the traditional desk or work
surface components. These, too,
can be arranged in numerous
positions.
Solutions
3. Display grids—An
important feature for
personalization, privacy and
portability.
4. Pivot system—
to provide a full
range of
movement, allow
for quick set-up,
yet have a secure
environment.
Study Model Investigations
Solutions
“Core” strength
Kiosk, Landmark,
Gathering area
Closed,
transportable
work surfaces
Lecture, studio unit
Closed plan,
undisturbed solo work
Semi-open plan—work and impromptu discussions
Color and form studies
Solutions
“Core” strength
Kiosk, Landmark,
Gathering area
Closed,
transportable
work surfaces
Lecture, studio unit
Open plan—
work and impromptu discussions