107723738888379998

My experience with Open Space and an architect/design project is actually from a project I worked on with BP in Scotland. The 60 person business unit I was working with was moving from one part of the building complex to another (most would agree the space they were moving into was the worst space in the building). I started with an Open Space Visioning meeting where in addition to the usual markers and paper for Open Space I added magazines (design, nature, home furnishings, etc.) a big roll of paper, scissors, and glue. I invited the group to talk about what they envisioned the ideal work space to be and to cut out pictures from the magazines, use words, and pictures to create a collage of what the new space might feel like.

We took this collage, along with the results from the Open Space and shared this with the architects and designers (the designers/architects were invited to be at the visioning Open Space) assigned to the project. Some incredible ideas that I could never have thought of on my own, along with the many concerns about moving to “the worst space in the building” were folded into the design process which also took into account budget constraints and site needs/requests.

The design team then came back with a design for the new work space (which included skylights and a “yellow brick road” gleaned from the first Open Space). We took these sketches/blue prints and went back into Open Space with cut out furniture options and pencil and paper. Each team then looked at the areas available and filled in the design details specific to their needs. Conversation and negotiation took place between the different teams and a consensus design was reached.

The final result was an exceptional work space that was loved by the business unit and the “worst space” in the building is now considered the best place to be.

Along the way, I worked with individuals and teams around learning how to create places that work for them instead of trying to fit into someone else’s design. I gave them, tools and a language to find the best mix between personal and team needs.