Tuesday Tips: Designing Workplaces for Boosting Productivity and Culture. A Conversation with Rebecca Swanner

Rebecca is the Workplace Sector Leader of HED, one of the largest architectural and engineering design firms in the US, serving clients nationally in a broad range of market sectors including Healthcare, Higher Education, Mission Critical, Housing and Mixed-Use, Pre-K 12, Science, Manufacturing and Product Development, Workplace, Community and Government..    Her sector specializes in designing workplaces that foster creativity, collaboration, and a supportive team environment that promotes the brand, products and services, and culture of the client.   Pivoting to a new hybrid work style, HED’s LA office recently designed its own innovative workspace that features a HUB — an open activity space with material libraries, interactive projection walls, and intentional meeting spaces — to facilitate the team’s working and communication dynamics.   Rebecca is a licensed architect with 15+ years of experience leading projects for national and global brands, including BELKIN, Kennedy Wilson, Disney-Marvel, and Apple and Beats 1 Radio.   She has a depth of insight into design strategies and styles that can impact company culture, productivity, and the recruiting and retention of talent.   On the podcast, Rebecca discussed:   How to downsize your office space the right way: understanding right-size building selection for the necessary amenity mix to draw employees back to the office. How intelligent workplace design can combat burnout and reduce in-office frustration. The fastest growing and most popular office building and workplace amenities. How HED LA office design and amenities facilitate company culture and productivity. https://www.hed.design/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-swanner-b8a9a55/https://www.officelovin.com/2021/12/a-look-inside-heds-new-los-angeles-office/ Quick recap Summary Evolving Office Design for Post-Pandemic Workforce Rebecca, a workplace sector leader for Harley Ellis Devereux, and Michael discussed the changing trends in office design in the wake of the pandemic. Rebecca expressed her interest in the concept of wellness in the workplace and how design can respond to the changing workforce population post-pandemic. Michael emphasized the importance of authentic employee feedback in design. They also discussed the flexibility of the podcast format, with Michael assuring Rebecca that any potential gaffes could be edited out. Evolving Office Spaces for Hybrid Work Michael and Rebecca discussed the evolving office space and design in the context of the hybrid work era. They noted how the pandemic has altered the way people work and interact, leading to early retirements and a shift in the workforce. They underscored the importance of considering both how people work and how they live in the new office spaces. Rebecca presented the concept of designing spaces that cater to different needs, such as socializing in a "prairie" setting and feeling secure in a "woods" setting. Michael concurred, highlighting that options like these could accommodate different work styles and personalities. Creating Safe Workplace Spaces for Excellence Michael and Rebecca discussed the importance of creating a 'safe space' in the workplace to foster individual and team excellence. They agreed on the significance of understanding employees' work styles and personalities to optimize their work environment. Rebecca emphasized the need for thoughtful and intentional workplace design, keeping in mind that employees are not constantly present, but should still feel ownership over the space. Michael shared his own experiences working in shared spaces, highlighting the importance of the space feeling like a 'guest's home' when visiting other locations. Understanding Individual Differences in Office Design Michael and Rebecca discussed the importance of understanding individual differences in work environments and incorporating these insights into office design. They highlighted that everyone has varying needs, with some preferrin