Work Environment Promoting Comfort and Creativity: Fraunhofer Offices, Portugal. Pedra Silva Architects completed the newest offices for the German institute Fraunhofer. Their team was selected, through an open competition, to design the new Porto headquarters, located at the Technology University Campus: “Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia da Universidade do Porto (UPTEC)”. Here is the project description we were sent by the developers: “Our design took into account Fraunhofer’s innovative philosophy trough a message that is simple, positive and dynamic. Innovative workplace layout and organizational elements from Frauhnofer Office Innovation Center in Stuttgart (Germany) were also an important input to the project, adding another layer to our concept. The new research facilities occupy two floors in a new UPTEC building in a total of 1.660sqm.
Circulation is the project’s backbone; all spaces appear along a distribution route located next to the glass façade. This main axis allows access to all different spaces. Assessing The Work Environment for Creativity. Creativity in the Workplace Good for them (employees). Great for you (managers) By Senior Editors Jaclyn Jacobson & Paige Phillips. More and more researchers and managers nowadays realize the importance of creativity in the organization. Unfortunately (and sometimes unintentionally) many managers are killing the creativity of their employees (and thus new ideas and innovation).
How can managers foster creativity in their organization? The academic article reviewed lends advice to managers who want to foster their employees’ intrinsic motivation and, in turn, their creativity. Doing this will lead to employee satisfaction and retention as well as the generation of new ideas, reinvigorating the organization and even yielding financial gains. In “Assessing the Work Environment for Creativity,†researchers Teresa Amabile, Regina Conti, Heather Coon, Jeffrey Lazenby, and Michael Herron describe a model for assessing creativity in the work place known as KEYS. Are you Promoting an Environment that Promotes Creativity? - a knol by Narayana Rao.
Resource List: Classroom Design. Information on school classroom design and layout, compiled by the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities. References to Books and Other Media 10 Current School Facility Features that are ObsoleteStack, Greg(School Design Matters, Jun 20, 2012) Looks at school facility features that are obsolete today and yet are still in wide use: departmental organizations; learning in prescribed spaces; school corridors; traditional school libraries; computer labs; gyms without natural daylight; teacher centered classrooms; isolate classrooms; institutional food service; and large gang restrooms.
Planning a STEM Classroom (Interior Concepts, Apr 2012) Discusses furniture design and room layout that will help to facilitate STEM curriculum and programs to maximize learning. 4p Learn for Life. Diverse collection of inspiring architecture and interiors that support progressive models of acquiring knowledge. TO ORDER: Collective Intelligence. Designing Your Art Room - Art Room Organization Tips. Autodesk Homestyler - Design a Room or a House. Classroom Architect.