Pandemic Effect – The Future of Workplace & Steelcase Work Better | INTERN

This special two part session features two presentations on the topic of The Future of Workplace Design. 

Pandemic Effect - The Future of Workplace & Steelcase Work Better

Webday Wednesday Series

Topics: Advanced Technologies

Length: 1 hour l What's included: video, quiz, certificate of completion

This webinar is available to stream!

This special two part session features two presentations on the topic of The Future of Workplace Design. 

Pandemic Effect - The Future of Workplace
Presented by Caroline Robbie, BID, AOCAD, ARIDO, IDC, NCIDQ | Principle, BDP Quadrangle

The on-going pandemic has had a profound effect on workplace design. As we abandoned our offices, the future design and use of these spaces has come into question. A full-scale abandonment of space creating the highest vacancy rate in years has whiplashed back to mandated return to workplace by some financial organizations within the past year and a half. Ultimately the design of workplaces is predicted to be somewhere between these two extremes with each organization determining their own response to re-activate their workplaces to suit their culture, operation and needs. What this means to how workplaces will be designed in the future is far-reaching as the opportunity to be in a distributed or hybrid work model are gaining traction among the workforce and are becoming key decision-making factors for where employees choose to work. The shift from employers dictating where, when, and how we work has been immediate and will have long-lasting effects socially and financially. This session uses the example of an architectural firm’s response to the pandemic. We examine the interconnected and linear timeline elements of changing the current space to bring people back to the studio safely in the short term; leveraging business opportunities that the changing design parameters have created; thinking about the inevitable impacts to living spaces and community spaces as they become de-facto workplaces and ultimately, all these changes informing the design of the firm’s new studio in Toronto.  Speaking from experience in designing workplaces for creative entrepreneurs, Caroline has applied lessons learned from creating engaging workplaces for her own firm.

Steelcase Work Better
Presented by Nico Koeppe, B.I.D. | Architecture & Design Manager, Steelcase

The global pandemic has ushered in a host of unforeseen changes. How, when and where work happens have changed significantly, trends in the workplace have been expedited and decades old norms have done a complete 180. As we look to designing for the future, we look not just to “future proof” but to create a workplace that is resilient and responsive to the changing needs of business, teams, and individuals.

Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Implement the steps necessary to develop a simple planning exercise to reactivate a workplace with safety measures by the example provided for elements such as safe distancing.
• Explain the changing impacts of workplace design on non-traditional workplace spaces such as multi-family residential units in terms of building, unit and community spaces.
• Describe the five new needs and expectations people have about where and how they expect to work moving forward and the four macro shifts to buildings and the workplaces they house.
• Design a better work experience to meet people's new needs and expectations and respond to the four macro shifts.

Subject Matter Experts:

Caroline Robbie, BID, AOCAD, ARIDO, IDC, NCIDQ
Principle, BDP Quadrangle

Born to a creative family, Caroline’s aesthetic formed by her artist mother and architect father. Trained as an artist, fashion and lighting designer eventually becoming an interior designer. Caroline approaches her work through a perspective grounded in art, seeing the conceptual narrative first and foremost. She has delivered high profile, award-winning projects for Corus Entertainment, 60_80 Atlantic Avenue, Artscape Daniels Launchpad, HXOUSE, House of Cool and OCAD U CO.

Nico Koeppe, B.I.D. 
Architecture & Design Manager, Steelcase

With a training and background in Industrial Design, Nico has spent 20+ years in various capacities in workplace design with a number of manufacturers and furniture dealers.  Understanding what motivates users and how to leverage their space & technology underpins his core attributes as a product specialist (read:  guru) and curator of experiences. It’s a continuous evolution with new scenarios requiring unique problem solving for every client.   With an interest in applications, insights, trends & technology, Nico leverages his skills within Steelcase, connecting these aspects with the design community in Toronto.