Methodology
Design interventions
The project pioneered a methodology of Rapid Design Intervention, which involved responding quickly to the results of user interviews to build experimental design installations on site that gave a focus to a deeper dialogue with the people being studied. The research team created three experiential settings – Concentrate, Collaborate and Contemplate – for users to occupy within two weeks of the completion and analysis of interviews. Within these prototype environments, there were six specific interventions:
Acoustic intervention
Future Acoustic is a sound transformation system that listens to the background noise, and reduces its distracting qualities by generating a more harmonious and pleasant sound. This was installed on desks to see if it successfully reduced acoustic distraction and increased productivity and concentration.
A film demonstrating how Future Acoustic works:
Lighting intervention
User controllable lighting was installed to provide workers with control over the brightness and colour balance of their working environment. Users were also able to choose from dynamic lighting programmes appropriate to their task. This intervention aimed to discover the best ways of offering lighting control to office workers.
Film showing the prototype lighting control interface:
Technology intervention
Wireless ergonomic keyboards and mice were tested to see how well workers adapted to the new technologies and to what extent this sort of technology was useful in shared office environments.
Adjustable furniture
Electronically operated height-adjustable desks were provided allowing workers to stand for periods of time during the day, as well as easily set the optimum ergonomic position for working while seated. Fully adjustable chairs were also made available to test how well workers corrected their position when using shared facilities.
Alternative furniture
Reading chairs designed for the care market and a sofa that reclined into a day bed were included to see how the office population would react to this type of furniture. They offered a range of working positions in a quiet and productive environment.
Natural intervention
A curtain of falling water drops was added to the design installation to gauge users reaction to more natural elements in the office environment. The 'rain curtain' made a soothing sound that masked distracting noises and effected the humidity of the air, as well as acting as a space divider to shield a quiet zone.
A film of the natural intevention in place in the UK host site: