Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Office Hell: the Demise of the Playful Workspace
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Mar 17, 2023 In the early 90s, a bold experiment replaced traditional offices with quirky, open spaces aimed at boosting creativity. However, employees faced absurd challenges, juggling bulky laptops and paperwork across the office. The tension between playful and minimalist designs reveals how workspace environments can significantly impact morale and productivity. A look at Pixar's design illustrates the importance of communal spaces for fostering collaboration. Ultimately, the fleeting nature of radical office designs highlights the need for flexibility and adaptability in modern workspaces.
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Chiat/Day's Playful Workspace
- In 1993, Chiat/Day, led by Jay Chiat, implemented a radical open office plan with hot-desking.
- The offices, designed by Frank Gehry and Gaetano Pesce, were playful and stylish, featuring unusual furniture and art.
The Little Red Wagon
- Associate Director Monica Miller used a little red wagon to carry her work due to the lack of assigned desks.
- Colleagues found it amusing, but it highlighted the impracticality of the hot-desking system.
Poor Execution and Paper Problems
- Chiat/Day's office design was poorly executed, with insufficient equipment and reliance on clunky technology.
- This, coupled with Jay Chiat's dismissal of paper's importance, created further issues.