News
Worktech08 launch in the UK
The Welcoming Workplace study was presented in a masterclass and lecture by Jeremy Myerson at this year's WorkTech08 conference at the British Library, London, 17-18 November 2008. Worktech08 examined a demographic and technological change at work, and the Welcoming Workplace study was a key component of the programme.
Asia Pacific launch for report
The Welcoming Workplace report was launched in Singapore on 8-9 January 2009, at the Reinventing Retirement: Employment and Active Engagement beyond 50 conference. The event, attended by Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, discussed extended working lives from the perspectives of policy, media, training and workplace design. Jeremy Myerson presented findings from the Welcoming Workplace study. The Reinventing Retirement conference was organised and co-hosted by the AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) and the Singapore Council for Third Age. Delegates attended from all over the Asia Pacific region.
Build Boston launch in the US
The Welcoming Workplace study was launched in the US, 20 November 2008 at the Build Boston trade show and convention, the leading event for the design and construction industries. Build Boston was sponsored by the Boston Society of Architects. It ran 18 - 20 November 2008 and featured more than 350 exhibitors. Jeremy Myerson was speaking as a guest of the Boston-based Institute for Human-Centred Design.
Designers Saturday, London
An exhibition based on the Welcoming Workplace study was exhibited in the Covent Garden, London, showroom of Swedish furniture company Kinnarps, as part of Designers Saturday, 26 - 27 September 2008. Designers Saturday revived a tradition of an open showroom tour on the capital, as part of the 2008 London Design Festival. To read a review of the Designer's Saturday event by Colin Watson of the BCFA, click here.
Living Proof, RCA
A Welcoming Workplace installation was a key feature of the Living Proof exhibition at the Royal College of Art, running from 19-30 September 2008, during the London Design Fesitval. The show featured some of the findings of the project and demonstrated a prototypical Contemplation Space to reflect a key main outcome of the research. Living Proof was curated by the RCA Helen Hamlyn Centre to discuss the concept of evidence-based design, in which user research plays a pivotal role in the creative process.
Guidance for Professionals
The British Council for Offices has endorsed a design guidance document based on the research, which is written by architect Dr John Smith of JSA Architecture and sponsored by Scandinavian furniture company Kinnarps. The report sets out the context for the research and makes a series of recommendations for architects and developers.To download the design guidance report, click here.
Regional Seminar Tour
A seminar based on the Welcoming Workplace study has been accredited for Continuing Professional Development by the Royal Institute of British Architects. This seminar, with accompanying exhibition, will made a regional, visiting Southampton (25 November), Reading (27 November) and Livingston in Scotland (4 December). Further dates will be added in the New Year. The regional seminar tour is sponsored by and organised in partnership with Kinnarps.
Major Gower Book
A new book based on the Welcoming Workplace research will be published in autumn 2009 by Gower. Written by Dr Alma Erlich, Jo-Anne Bichard and Jeremy Myerson, its title is ‘New Demographics New Workspace: office design for a changing workforce’. The book will address ways in which the office environment can be redesigned to offer greater levels of comfort, flexibility and fitness for purpose in the new age of the older knowledge worker, drawing on a wide range of background sources before discussing the study’s findings.
