Building Community in Buildings

"Building Community in Buildings" takes us on a fascinating journey through workplaces large and small, old and new, traditional and wildly contemporary, to explore the dynamic relationships between people and the buildings in which they work. The average person in the West today will spend 90 percent of his or her life inside a building. As a result, our social and cultural relationships are deeply influenced by the physical spaces in which they are created. The authors integrate insights from management and building design to reveal new understandings about workplace productivity and performance. Showcasing dozens of examples, including buildings designed with input from employees, the authors highlight innovative practices that utilise space to promote creativity and collaboration, improve morale and motivation, and ensure employee health and safety. They also explore the pros and cons of virtual workplaces, in which people are connected electronically but not physically, and trace the impact and influences of such trends as the environmental movement. Featuring over a dozen photographs, practical recommendations, and the tools to conduct a workplace design survey, "Building Community in Buildings" ultimately demonstrates that by investing in spaces that support people needs, companies will strengthen bottom-line results.