Insights

HGA Presents Research from ONEder Grant Workplace Study

Research study shows the role of Design Thinking in rethinking open-plan office for Silicon Valley technology engineers.

ONEder grant - workplace study

HGA researchers and designers won a 2019 ONEder Grant for a multidisciplinary research project that re-examines open plan office for technology engineers. Sponsored by One Workplace, the ONEder Grant acknowledges the significant role architects and designers have in planning the modern workplace.

Prompted by the growth of engineering companies in Silicon Valley, the study reexamined the impact of open-plan office design on software engineers. The research goal was twofold: (a) demonstrating the effectiveness of Design Thinking as a co-creation method for generating tailored solutions: and (b) providing fresh insights into open-plan offices’ two widely discussed topics – privacy and collaboration.

Throughout the study, the research team engaged with a group of engineers from Fortune 500 companies, designers, and facilities department leaders.

About the Team

Lisa Macaluso is a principal and interior designer with experience directing programming and strategic planning for technology, start-ups and professional services companies.

Susan Foong has over 15 years of experience in space planning, design development, finish materials and furniture selection, construction documents and construction administration.

Adaheid (Ada) Mestad mixes her knowledge of anthropology and years of ethnographic research and utilizes social and scientific approaches to enable the translation of human experiences into physical spaces.

Amin Mojtahedi focuses on the architecture of social learning as well as people-space analytics in workplaces and higher education environments.

Christa Galbraith designs interior spaces for tech campuses in Silicon Valley, coordinating projects from initial programming through construction administration.

ONEder grant logo

To read the full ONEder Grant research study or watch a webinar where we presented the results, visit One Workplace.