19
Mar
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In conversation with – Enrique Soler
It was a pleasure to chat with Enrique Soler from Willmott Dixon
Join us at Space by Stansons Podcast as Enrique shares his experiences, challenges, and innovative strategies in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of construction and development. Let’s dive into this enriching conversation where we’re bound to uncover gems of wisdom and inspiration for aspiring professionals and industry veterans alike.
Guy: What advice do you have for creating a good design brief?
Enrique: Not telling the designer how to design the space. Instead, share information about the company’s values, culture and day-to-day activities. This helps the designer understand what the space needs to enable. Some numbers like headcount and square footage are needed, but the purpose and activities are most important.
Guy: How can design impact how people feel and engage in a space?
Enrique: Good design should facilitate and enhance what people already want to do in the space. It is about creating an environment where people can do their activities in the best way, feeling satisfied, empowered and comfortable. Design elements like light, acoustics and finishes are tools to achieve this goal.
Guy: What do you think makes a successful office environment?
Enrique: I believe a successful office environment is one that facilitates and enhances what people already want to do there. It should make employees feel empowered, satisfied and comfortable so they can do their best work. Factors like light, acoustics and space layout are tools to achieve this goal.
Guy: How can design impact employee retention and attraction ?
Enrique: Design can make the office an interesting and appealing place for employees to be. With more flexible remote work options, design is a tool to attract talent and give employees reasons to come into the office through collaboration spaces and amenities.
Guy: How can design enhance collaboration in the workplace?
Enrique: Design elements like furniture arrangement, acoustics and lighting can facilitate collaboration by making people feel comfortable interacting. Spaces where people can make eye contact, face each other or look at a shared screen together enhance teamwork.
“And there’s two other senses that are important for designers: vestibular (balance) and proception (space and direction). These senses complement the five traditional senses and impact how people perceive and use spaces.
Enrique Soler, Willmott Dixon.
Listen to the full conversation on Space by Stansons – A conversation with Enrique Soler, Willmott Dixon.
