Australasian architects and designers are creating workplaces that are at the forefront of change. But what comes next? What will the workplace be like a decade from now?
Arthur Streeton Auditorium
Level 1, Sofitel
Melbourne VIC
— Google Maps
Tickets
Ticket sales for this event are closed.
Program Info
The annual Work Place/Work Life forum brings together Australasia’s leading practitioners. In 2014 they will gather at Melbourne’s Arthur Streeton Auditorium to discuss the issues shaping workplace design, share their experiences and speculate on possible futures.
The three keynote speakers will address the topics of globalization, strategy and community. These will be followed by moderated panel discussions in which panel members will draw the audience into the conversation.
9.00 am
Welcome from Cameron Bruhn, editorial director, Architecture Media
9.15 am
Keynote Address 1 David Gianotten, partner, OMA (Hong Kong)
"S to XL workplaces across the globe"
10.00 am
Moderated Panel Discussion 1 "Creating places to work in the city of the future"
Chaired by Natalie Slessor (head of workplace, Lend Lease) with panellists Nicole Fitzgerald (physical lead of Thrive, Medibank) and David Gianotten (partner, OMA)
10.45 am
Morning tea
11.30 pm
Keynote Address 2 Remi Ayoko, senior lecturer, The University of Queensland Business School, The University of Queensland
"Productivity, territories, wellbeing and the workplace"
12.15 pm
Moderated Panel Discussion 2 "Addressing processes and satisfaction through workplace design"
Chaired by Tim Hooson (principal, Jasmax) with panellists Troy Roderick (head of diversity and inclusion, Telstra) and Remi Ayoko (senior lecturer, The University of Queensland Business School, The University of Queensland)
1.00 pm
Lunch break
2.15 pm
Keynote Address 3 Timothy Sharp, founder, The Happiness Institute
"Positive places – integrating happiness research into design"
3.00 pm
Moderated Panel Discussion 3 "Connecting people to place – communities at work"
Chaired by Bill Dowzer (principal, BVN Donovan Hill) with panellists Laurie Aznavoorian (workplace strategist) and Timothy Sharp (founder, The Happiness Institute)
3.45 pm
Closing comments from
Cameron Bruhn, editorial director, Architecture Media
The definition of “workplace” is becoming increasingly malleable as technological developments have enabled new modes of working and living. Work becomes integrated with life, and workplace is not confined to a desk, an office or a tower. Masterplanning, building design, interior design and furniture design can all influence the way we work and live. Through the presentation of a series of projects in different parts of the globe, David Gianotten will illustrate how architecture can define the workplace of not only specific people or specific companies, but also that of people in the city in general, bringing in new possibilities of working and living. A workplace is not a static space, but our interaction with architecture. It is innovation in architecture that brings innovation through architecture.
Productivity, Territories, Wellbeing and the Workplace
Organizations spend millions of dollars in designing and building new workspaces every year. Additionally, the average organization spends between thirty thousand dollars and one hundred thousand dollars annually on legal fees arising from office-design-related employee behaviours. Yet, we do not know much about how office configurations can impact employees’ territorial behaviours, productivity and wellbeing. Drawing on international research, Remi Ayoko will explore how workplace configurations can constrain or improve work processes and employee satisfaction.
Positive Places – Integrating Happiness Research Into Design
Presented by Timothy Sharp, Founder, The Happiness Institute
Many people are aware that the environment can make people sick. The places in which we work can cause stress and can be “toxic” due to noise levels, chemicals within materials, and even excessive or inappropriate lighting. But most people aren’t aware that the environment in which we work and live can also enhance positive moods, inspire and motivate us, and even provide healing. Bringing together research from positive psychology, positive organizational scholarship and other related fields, Timothy Sharp will outline why creating positive spaces is important and how it's possible.
Bill is a principal architect at BVN and a natural-born disruptor. He has an innate way of creatively responding to client briefs and forming a narrative through his design response – all while keeping clients, collaborators, stakeholders and team members captivated.
Across the various sectors, cities and countries he has worked in, Bill fundamentally designs for people. His passion is empowering communities to be involved in the design process; this has resulted in libraries that are loved by their communities, workplaces that inspire, and education facilities that champion emerging pedagogies.
