Re-Designing 21st Century Offices: Encouraging Interaction within the Workplace

Abstract

Communication technologies are developing exponentially, studies have shown that this phenomenon negatively effects users in a social psychological manner. In his article, Tuan describes society as being in a state of ‘Human Disconnectedness’. This is reinforced by Haythornwaite’s studies which shows the more time a user spends on the internet the more they lose contact with their surrounding social environment. Nie and Erbring believe that this evolution has resulted in changes to thinking and behaviour, and that these developments are shaping the social lives of the user; their statistics show that it is increasing the user’s isolation. In fact, Cacioppo’s research on social isolation and loneliness has shown connections to mental and physical sickness.

Over the last hundred years office architecture has continuously evolved, however, the introduction of communication technology has had the greatest impact. Recently virtual and casual office innovation have created more fluid work situations which allow for telecommuting and outsourcing. This has consequently raised questions about new office design. In many aspects, technology has begun to threaten the need or relevance for offices. However, this thesis argues that offices are one of the few types of interior architecture that regulates an user’s behaviour because they are part of a group dynamic. This coincides with the organisational theory establish in 1951 by the Asch experiment. These problems will act as an opportunity to scruntinise the need for offices and also as a device for facilitating social interaction within the workplace, which Richard Totman discusses as important because it is a method of support that balances stress and protects mental and physical health.

Through means of design exploration, the intervention will mediate between social psychological theories, technological advancements and future office planning with the aim of finding an interior architectural solution.