We talked to psychologist and industrial designer Stephanie Wackernagel, project director at Fraunhofer IAO about two of the institute’s most interesting recent studies: “Effective Office and Work Worlds” and “Office Analytics”. We also discussed the effect work environments have on personal wellbeing and staff performance.

In the first part of our conversation with Shannon Gaffney, Co-Founder of SKB Architects, she talks about their work for Microsoft , her approach to the term “productivity“ and why she can not stand it anymore that people connects with Seattle mostly salmon and Kurt Cobain.

“Exemplary office lighting integrates with the needs of its users so organically that they don’t need to think about it,” says Tobias Grau. For decades Tobias Grau has been one of the most illustrious names in innovative and aesthetically sophisticated lighting. We spoke with husband and wife team Tobias and Franziska Grau who together run their company from its offices in Rellingen, near Hamburg.

Off-the-shelf solutions don’t cut it, according to the experts at Evolution Design. Instead, employers should create an environment where staff feel valued, supported and part of a community with shared values.

New worlds often reveal new perspectives. The idea that digital technology has permeated almost all aspects of our lives is a sobering, perhaps even intimidating thought. At first. But technology also has the potential to make our daily lives more efficient, pleasant and, perhaps, more human. Need proof? Join us for a stroll through the freshly remodeled workspace of the Business Intelligence unit at Otto.