HOW WORKPLACE IS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CITIES

THE NEWSHAPEi o Playa Vista, Los Angeles. Strategic improvementsinclude an exterior stair that offers direct access toupper floors and terraces for tenant use.OF BUILDINGDESIGNBY PROVIDING THINGSLIKE LARGE OPENFLOOR PLATES, INDOOROUTDOOR TRANSITIONS,OPEN SIGHTLINES,AND BRIDGES ANDSTAIRS BETWEENFLOORS, DESIGNERSCAN CREATE CONNECTEDEXPERIENCESTHAT ENCOURAGENEW IDEAS.BY BEN TRANEL AND DARREL FULLBRIGHT10As businesses continue to search for creativework environments that can foster ideas andinnovation through a strong sense of community, architects and designers are playing anincreasingly important role.According to data and insights uncovered bythe Gensler Research Institute, people are morecreative and productive when they have betterphysical connections with coworkers and moreopportunities for chance encounters. That’swhere building design comes in. By providingthings like large open floor plates, indoor-outdoor transitions, and sightlines and bridgesbetween floors, designers can create connectedexperiences that encourage new ideas.Face-to-face mattersWhat we’ve realized is that, given the ever-increasing role of digital technology in theworkplace through email, Skype meetings,teleconferences, and instant messaging, theneed for businesses to encourage more humanencounters and face-to-face communication isbecoming more pressing. Proximity is the key.In fact, according to Thomas J. Allen of MIT’sSloan School of Management, people have a95% likelihood of a chance encounter with acolleague if they’re located on the same floor.That number drops to 5% if they’re separated byfloors. As Allen said, it’s almost like being on adifferent planet.A Gensler Publication11

Connecting face-to-face isn’t only about buildinggood relationships. We know that proximitybetween people at work speeds the flow ofideas, breaks down silos by raising awarenessbetween departments, and encourages activeinformation sharing. That’s why many organizations are opting for bigger and bigger floorplates. In our headquarters design for NVIDIA,Gensler sought to locate every worker within atwo-minute walk of each other. The building hastwo floors of 250,000 square feet each, whichhelp to promote flat hierarchy and typicallyhave no private offices or window seats basedon tenure or rank. The space is more equitable,meaning everyone has a choice of where towork, depending on the type of activity they’reengaged in.5 WAYS BUILDINGS ARESHAPE-SHIFTING TO PROVIDEMORE CONNECTION1INDOOR-OUTDOORTRANSITIONS2LARGE OPENFLOOR PLATES3OFFSET CORESBringing people togetherWe’re also finding that providing large assemblyareas is another important feature for today’scompanies. Roof decks and outdoor terraces, inparticular, are gaining popularity. And there’s anadded incentive for building owners to createthese spaces due to new industry standards thatallow owners to measure and lease them. Peopleenjoy having a seamless indoor-outdoor connection. These spaces serve as third places wherework happens outdoors.4OPENSIGHTLINESWhile we’re planning for the occupancy of thesefacilities, we’re also looking at ways of breakingdown the building core so that elements like theelevators and stairs that provide inter-floor connectivity can be located near the office spaces,while service lifts and mechanical runs can beplaced out of the way.5WIDE LANES FOR EASYRIDE-SHARE ACCESSStairs and bridges as connective tissueOf course, it’s not always possible to have everybody on one floor in a mega–floor plate building.But that’s not the only way to provide connectivity. Many offices are creating transparentsightlines across atriums or using interconnecting open stairways to link up with different partsof the office. Our design for the Mercedes-BenzUSA headquarters in suburban Atlanta is a greatexample. A three-story atrium at the heart of thebuilding provides sightlines from floor to floor,with an adjacent coffee bar, café, and casual seating areas that allow for impromptu meetings.We’re finding opportunities to expand thefunction of stairways beyond the pragmaticneed to move from floor to floor. Stairs also havevalue as social centers, meeting places, andconversation nooks. In Tableau Software’s newSeattle office, for example, a central communicating stair is the lifeline that connects sharedspaces, including a cooking hub and other keygathering areas.Bridges can serve the same function as stairs,but they connect spaces horizontally rather thanvertically. They can link separate buildings orspan across atriums, making it easier to movefrom place to place.Tableau Software, Seattle. People move freely along a largecommunicating stair among the company’s cooking hub,training/conference center, reception area, and game room.12A Gensler Publication13

“THERE’S INCREASING DEMAND FOREXTERIOR AMENITIES LIKE BALCONIESAND FINISHED ROOFTOP TERRACES.A CLEAR REPRESENTATION OF HOWTENANTS ARE ACTUALLY USING SPACE.”We also try to limit the width of the core, so itdoesn’t form a barrier in the center of the building. When examining the placement of the coreelements in relation to the building’s overallfloor plan, the best solution is sometimes anoffset, partially offset, or split core that frees upsquare footage for a larger, more flexible officespace on each floor, allowing for more daylightand higher density of people. In the case oflarger floor plates, we’re creating dual cores foreven better connectivity and flexibility.—Rob Brierley, CEO, Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) InternationalConnecting to the cityWe’re also mindful of the importance of connecting office buildings to the context of thecities and regions where they exist. The rulesare changing with the fast adoption of ride-sharing services and the emergence of autonomousvehicles. This is having an immediate impact onoffice buildings, where we are providing widerdriving lanes at the entrances for pickup anddrop-off. Building entrances will also requirelonger lanes for driverless cars to queue upwithout blocking city traffic.Even the entrances to buildings are becomingmore complex, with growing demand for multiple “front doors.” Creative companies, for example, want direct access to their office with a frontdoor that reflects their brand. No one wantsto be hidden on a lobby directory and located“down the hall.” This can be accomplished witha ground-floor storefront entrance or, in the caseof the i o at Playa Vista office building repositioned by Gensler, by adding an external stairthat connects to tenant spaces on levels above.Enhanced value for tenantsNone of these improvements are added to building plans without considering their cost, butwe think they’re a smart investment. Typically,real estate and operating costs are about 20%of the cost of running a company, while theinvestment in staff salaries is about 80%. Sinceeven a small increase in real estate costs canyield measurable improvements in productivity and innovation from your most valuableasset—your people—then the potential paybackis enormous.Stated another way, all these things—promotingcollaboration, fostering community, and producing a connected workplace environment—promise the kind of long-term returns thattenants demand.BEN TRANEL is aPrincipal based in Gensler’sSan Francisco office.DARREL FULLBRIGHT, basedin San Diego, is an OfficeBuildings-Developer leader.NCR Midtown, Atlanta. This new workplace for NCR’ssoftware development team includes a landscaped roofterrace where people can connect and interact.14A Gensler Publication15

CLIMATECHANGESOLUTIONSFOR WORKPLACETHE BUILDINGINDUSTRY DESIGNCONTRIBUTES 40%OF GLOBALGREENHOUSE GASEMISSIONS. WE HAVEAN OPPORTUNITYTO MAKE A BIGIMPACT.BY LANCE HOSEY AND YUN HSUEHThe effects of climate change are threatening cities and businesses around the globe.Increasingly frequent wildfires, droughts, flooding, and rising sea levels are displacingpopulations and impacting supply chains,both of which are disrupting social, cultural,and economic norms.Buildings contribute nearly 40% of globalgreenhouse gas emissions, according toArchitecture 2030. Of this amount, 28% isdue to building operations, and 11% is dueto building materials and construction, soincorporating resilient design strategies intooffice building and workplace design canhave a big impact. At Gensler, we embraceresilience more broadly to suggest that designconstantly evolves, adapting to and preparingfor a changing world. Here, we take a look atfive key design elements that will be a part oftomorrow’s resilient workplace.Zhuhai Huace International Plaza, Zhuhai, China. Twintowers create a vertical ecology. Passive and naturalventilation strategies bring fresh air into the building.16A Gensler Publication17

Harbin Bank headquarters, Beijing. A single-glazedouter skin and a double-glazed inner skin form acavity, which works like a thermal duvet to insulate thebuilding year-round. The climate-responsive facademaximizes daylight and energy efficiency.TRANSPARENT THERMAL WALLSThermal Blanket13ºCSunshine21ºCIndoor Air22ºCOutdoor Air-1ºC22ºCThermal Blanket28ºCSunshine40ºCIndoor Air22ºCOutdoor cal ecology for office buildingsOne promising solution for tall office buildingsis vertical ecology, which borrows heavilyfrom the concept of biophilia—the notion thatthe more humans connect with other livingsystems, the more they benefit. Studies haveshown that biophilic elements in the workplacecan reduce absenteeism and increase workerproductivity, while daylight can boost melatonin production and enhance sleep. Viewingfractal patterns and shapes that mimic naturalforms can reduce stress by up to 60%, according to a University of Oregon study. And sincevegetation can absorb toxins and pollutants,biophilic design can vastly improve air quality.Gensler’s design for China’s Zhuhai HuaceInternational Plaza merges two towers into asingle form with a vertical atrium system andsky and terraced gardens that create a breathing envelope to bring fresh air into the building. With louvers for air flow and plant growth,Huace Plaza’s vertical ecology embracesbiophilic design to improve air quality andenhance occupants’ health and well-being.Energy-saving facadesAccording to the International Energy Agency,buildings consume 50% of the world’s energy.To mitigate this consumption, we can add climate-responsive facades to office buildings andworkplace projects. These adaptive envelopescan mitigate solar heat gain, reduce energy usedto cool and heat the building, optimize daylighting and shading, and improve air qualitywhile also reducing energy consumption. Inmegacities such as Beijing, where toxic air levels can exceed 300 AQI on the EnvironmentalProtection Agency’s Air Quality Index, healthyinteriors and buildings are critical contributionsto the health of the community at large.For Harbin Bank’s Beijing headquarters, aclimate-responsive facade maximizes daylightand energy efficiency while minimizing harmful particulates. A single-glazed outer skin anda double-glazed inner skin form a cavity, whichacts like a thermal duvet to insulate the building year-round.Intelligent building controlsAnother way we can help lower energy andwater costs is by making buildings more intelligent. By leveraging real-time data, intelligentACCORDING TO THEINTERNATIONAL ENERGYAGENCY, BUILDINGSCONSUME 50% OF THEWORLD’S ENERGY.1850%A Gensler Publication19

MORE ENERGY IS EXPENDEDDURING THE PRODUCTIONOF MATERIALS THAN ATANY OTHER POINT DURING APROJECT’S LIFE CYCLE.UPCycle, Austin, Texas. This repositioned warehousereuses 95% of building materials to create vibrant,creative workspace.20Gensler’s master plan for the Cisco Smart Cityin Guangzhou, China, integrates technologyacross all scales, from buildings to infrastructure. The connected environment optimizesenergy, water, and light efficiency based onreal-time conditions. Systems also monitor temperature, pollution, and waste management.local communities and natural systems. Thereare net zero or net positive energy buildings,producing on-site electricity through built-insolar and wind generators that can augmentan overwhelmed local grid. Or structures withrooftop gardens to capture and filter rainwaterto service all their non-potable needs, therebylowering the demand on city water supply andstormwater treatment. Etsy’s Living BuildingChallenge Petal–certified Brooklyn headquarters strives to be a regenerative ecosystem; it’snot just a self-sustaining workplace but also aspace that gives back to its neighborhood.Regenerative and restorative buildingsOur design increasingly focuses on elevatingthe life cycle of buildings so that they can positively impact the communities they’re in. Thisapproach goes beyond conventional high-performance practices of water and energyefficiency to integrate design more closely withAdaptation and reuseOften, the single greatest decision to minimizeenvironmental impact is to reuse buildings,spaces, and materials that already exist. TheNational Trust for Historic Preservation’s GreenLab found that it can take up to 80 years beforethe energy-efficient features of new buildingsbuilding controls can lower energy consumption and make buildings safer and healthier.Sensor technology and IoT-enabled devices willallow individuals to adjust temperature, air,lighting, and acoustics.begin to make up for the damage their construction has caused to the environment.Consequently, it’s imperative that we developstrategies to improve the performance ofexisting buildings without tearing them down.A great example is UPCycle, a warehouse inAustin repositioned into a creative office space,which reused 95% of the existing structure.A resilient workplace is one of the first stepswe can take in creating the cities of the future.When done with smart design strategies, aresilient workplace can improve quality of life,productivity, resource efficiency, and operatingcosts all at once.LANCE HOSEY is a DesignDirector, based in Gensler’sSan Diego office.YUN HSUEH is an OfficeBuildings-Developer leader,based in Shanghai.A Gensler Publication21

A WORKPLACERENEWEDTHE FORD FOUNDATION CENTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICERENOVATION OF THEFOUNDATION’S LANDMARKBUILDING IN MIDTOWNMANHATTAN CREATESA MODERN WORKPLACEEXPERIENCE FOR THEREVERED ORGANIZATION.BY BEVIN SAVAGE-YAMAZAKI AND JONAS GABBAISince the Ford Foundation opened its iconicNew York headquarters in 1967, global uncertainty and divisiveness have underscored theimportance of supporting social justice. Sowhen the not-for-profit enlisted Gensler torenovate the building to meet New York Cityfire codes, it seized the opportunity to realignits physical space to reflect its 21st-centurymission: to promote the inherent dignity ofall people. Under the direction of CEO DarrenWalker, that meant rejuvenating the buildingwith respect for its architectural legacy, whileensuring that it engages the public and servesas a beacon of change.Renovation of the building, originally designedby Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates,has boosted its performance and addressed ahost of structural and mechanical upgradesrequired for fire protection and life safety.But stewardship of the revered landmark wasalways top of mind. Roche’s vision was centralto the renewal, and the Gensler-led team strivedto restore original finishes and reuse materialsat every turn. Distinctive materials such asCor-ten steel, skylight glazing, brick pavers, andbrass were repaired and restored to keep theoriginal mid-century look and feel. Carpeting,wood floors, lighting, millwork, and bronze wererefurbished by collaborating with a team ofspecialists. The original interiors also featuredsophisticated mid-century modern furnitureby designer Warren Platner. More than halfof it was saved—stripping wood to its originalstain, reconditioning leathers, and adjusting theheight to meet universal design standards.In the restored garden, a new brick pathway andwidened entrances greatly expand access.22A Gensler Publication23

PRIVATE OFFICESAROUND THE ATRIUMWERE DEMOLISHED,OPENING THEWORKPLACE TODAYLIGHT AND VIEWSOF THE CITY, ANDPROMOTING A SENSEOF EQUITY.IN THE AUDITORIUM,DISTINCTIVEFEATURES SUCH ASWALL TREATMENTS,BRASS RAILINGS,AND EAMES CHAIRSWERE RESTOREDTO KEEP THEMID-CENTURY LOOKAND FEEL.BY REMOVING PARTOF THE SECONDFLOOR SLAB, THETEAM CREATED ASPACIOUS GALLERYFOR EXHIBITIONSTHAT ADDRESSJUSTICE, DIGNITY,AND FAIRNESS.Also revived was the building’s signature botanical garden, designed by renowned landscapearchitect Dan Kiley. Heralded as the first largescale interior atrium garden in the U.S., the landscape was replanted with species that adhereto Kiley’s design intent and enhanced with newirrigation and lighting systems.The foundation’s sustainable mission set highexpectations for the renovation, which has beenawarded LEED Platinum certification. The teamspecified low-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants for better air quality, while high-efficiencybathroom fixtures and low-energy lighting fixtures were specified to reduce water consumption and energy use, respectively.Beyond the technical aspects of the project, itwas critical to the foundation that its social justice mission be clearly communicated throughout—an effort amplified by a brand narrativecelebrating voices of change through evocativedevices like murals and honoree plaques. Stepone in highlighting the mission was ensuringthat accessibility and universal design were atop priority, so all would feel welcome.Access to daylight and views was given equalimportance. In the original building, that privilege had been reserved mostly for the foundation’s managers, whose walled-in private officeslined the atrium. In the renovation, the partitions were removed, resulting in an open officelayout with floor-to-ceiling glass that makes thebuilding bright and transparent. In the redesign,Gensler also consolidated the foundation’s operations, opening two floors of the building foruse by like-minded organizations and increasingconvening space by 50% for other not-for-profitsto meet and collaborate.Today, the building is more open to the public,including improved access to the garden anda new double-height gallery that features art,performances, and public programs highlightingthemes of social justice. Handicapped accessibility was improved beyond ADA requirements.Those improvements include street-levelentrances to the atrium, which were widenedto accommodate wheelchairs, and a new brickpathway in the garden that expands wheelchairaccess. Through transformations like these, thefoundation has staked its claim as a championof social justice for decades to come.BEVIN SAVAGE-YAMAZAKI isa Fou

Workplace Sector leader based in Gensler’s Los Angeles office. NATALIE ENGELS is a Technology Workplace leader, based in San Jose, Calif. SOURCE: Gensler 2019 U.S. Workplace Survey Campari North American headquarters, New York. Four distinct bar-like experiences immerse guests