HEADS UP!
Heads Up! A weekly update on the world of innovation brought to you by Innovation University, a best practices program of the Innovation Network.
The Right "Space" for Innovation
How important is the physical space for organizational innovation?
In thinking back on the work environments that Innovation University
(IU) Fellows have visited and become excited about, two, in particular,
come to mind:
Cirque du Soleil's offices in Montreal, Quebec, for one. IU visited
the headquarters of the theatrical performance troupe, famous for their
sensual acrobatics, in July 1998. Cirque had recently moved into their
new facility, one that was intriguing from the outside and thoughtfully
designed on the inside to afford maximum interaction and awareness of
fellow workers. The "corridors" had odd angles and turns that
were designed for unexpected encounters that might result in serendipitous
communication or collaboration, and they are decorated with galvanized
steel and an industrial look that reminds them of their roots in the
street. The administrative offices have windows overlooking the practice
arenas so that "staff" cannot forget what drives revenue and
stay abreast of new work being created. At the same time, the artists
practicing below need only glance up to be reminded of the many heads,
hearts and hands it takes to deliver their art to a fickle public.
Is it any wonder that in this open and airy atmosphere, where everyone
is encouraged to "coach" everyone else, that a constant stream
ofcreativity and innovation pours forth? Yes, it is beautiful, in a
very urban sense, and the design seems to provide a vast space for thinking
and creation with a minimalist approach. The building elegantly supports
a culture of collaboration and close-knit community.
Earlier the same year, IU Fellows were treated to a visit at Austin
advertising agency GSD&M, whose new building Idea City was heralded
in Fast Company Magazine. It was indeed a little like being in a wonder-land,
with sophisticated interiors--that include odd shaped and outrageously
decorated conference rooms, art by local graffiti artists, a coffee
bar and café, playful photo plaques (instead of name plates),
and values like Curiosity, Freedom and even Restlessness engraved in
the foyer floor--in perfect juxtaposition with the chaotic, irreverent
and hyper-stimulating work areas.
A most important ingredient in GSD&M's environment is that customers
are ever-present in the form of their own artifacts, such as WalMart's
forklift and display shelving in the middle of a bullpen and a set of
Southwest Airlines seats in a team conference area . And, these customericons
are intermingled with the "anything goes" attitude towardworkspace
decor-note one woman's collection of dozens of single gloves found on
the street that she tacked to the wall , an old restaurant booth crammed
into a small office as a conference table, the collection of lunch leftovers
carefully labeled and dating back years...these are the digs of people
who often work late into the night hatching ideas for new advertising
campaigns, one after another. They love their work, love being there,
love working under the gun. They seem to have an inordinate number of
conference spaces-- and they want more. What is it in this work environment
that results in great work?
Think about your own work environment. Does it support creativity and
innovation? And better yet, does it support the best work that can be
done to reach your organization's vision and goals?
Innovation University will be meeting June 26-29 in Atlanta. Our site
visits there--Skaltek, a Swedish company that has no hierarchy, departments
or job titles, Interface America's environmentally-sound manufacturing
plant and nature-inspired product development studio, and the newly
redesigned workspaces at The Coca-Cola Company-will all likely offer
new food for thought about how physical environment affects innovation.
For more info on companies mentioned:
Interface: http://www.interfaceinc.com
Coke: http://www.coca-cola.com
Cirque du Soleil: http://www.cirquedusoleil.com
GSD&M: http://www.gsdm.com
http://www.fastcompany.com/online/11/gsdm.html
For info on choosing the right space for creative thinking:
http://www.thinksmart.com/articles/idealenvironment.html
 |
| Ruth Ann Hattori |
Join the Innovation University Fellowship Group
Call Ruth Ann Hattori at 303-604-1981 or e-mail andrea@thinksmart.com for more information.
*To subscribe to Heads up! send this message in thebody of your e-mail: Subscribe Heads-Up to: majordomo@po.databack.com