Cubicles don't work. How architectural design affects your brain | Scott Wyatt | TEDxSeattle

Scott explains how architectural design can solve--or make---problems. Citing shapes, materials and plants as just a few of the design elements that make a workspace truly work, he shows how his architecture firm's corporate projects designed with employees and the neighborhood in mind.
Scott Wyatt is a partner at NBBJ, an architecture firm named one of the most innovative businesses in the world by Fast Company and firm of choice for tech companies by Wired. As leader of the firm’s workplace design practice, Scott oversees the creation of new corporate office projects for companies including Samsung, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Alibaba, Starbucks, Tencent and Boeing.
He has served on the board of directors of many organizations, including the Seattle Opera, the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington and the Nature Conservancy’s Washington State Chapter. Scott’s expertise and work have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Wired, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fast Company, Inc., Architectural Record, CNBC and NPR.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@pennya.5892]

My drafting desk in architecture school was next to Scott's in 3rd year. Great guy, very talented.

[@poojavaidya6878]

I believe he’s the principal of NBBJ correct?

[@pennya.5892]

@@poojavaidya6878 Yes, that's right.

[@mmendi1114]

What an experienced Architect...and the part he mentioned about the Mosque in Isfahan, Iran... he is on spot...you never forget the feeling and emotions that come upon you, whether looking at it from afar or by being immersed in its space... I went as far as shedding a tear or two....words fail me in trying to describe what it is...just go and see it for yourself and know that the memory of how and what you felt will linger everytime you are reminded by it.

[@jessiej5765]

The best neuroscience in Architecture lecture I have ever heard, very informative, very entertaining, and very practical. Thank You.

[@ling6701]

beautiful speech, now I'm inspired, thanks.

[@sj3510]

One of the best presentation I have ever heard in my life.

[@FitoutmyofficeGlenside]

In the current climate, we have noticed a trend for companies looking to move out of the city to more rural areas to reduce costs and commute times for employees. This has been a significant factor in us deciding to open an office/showroom in Reading so that we can assist companies looking to move to the area. It will be interesting to see whether this trend continues after Covid-19.

[@xzonia1]

I work in an office with cubicles, and I was excited to listen to this talk to hear how a business could change from cubicles to something else that would be more effective for employee happiness. The ideas he presents are great, but not solutions for existing businesses, so I felt the title to this talk was misleading. If you could get someone to discuss how to transform existing spaces from cubicles to better work space environments, that would be great!

[@Royalroadtotheunc]

Private and semi-private offices with small and cozier meeting spaces is be the answer. The open office plan is far, far worse than cubicles.

[@TheCeltic1001]

xylene I believe this is a thought exercise, not a tutorial

[@Tdr-jv2nc]

I hate open office it’s the worst

[@xzonia1]

@@Tdr-jv2nc same

[@davidharrison5246]

boss/management: "cubicles dont work.... or else we cant spy and micro-manage you all day long"

[@mba2ceo]

exactly !!!

[@vishalgolekar1955]

Perfect futuristic vision

[@Royalroadtotheunc]

The workplace doesn't stop at the door? Scary thought...

[@fatimabatool4442]

Interesting. 😮

[@user-iq4kl8wi7p]

Persian sacred geometric architecture is amazing. Our cities get less dense we have the space people need room to live

[@ph11p3540]

It really depends on the type of job and work culture if a cubicle is appropriate. In most of my jobs I like a semi open box. I do not enjoy working in an enclosed pen.

[@TheAgentTexas]

That goes to the thing he was talking about with being able to see things around you while also feeling like you are not exposed and vulnerable.

[@RealityGutPunch]

Well open offices are unproductive and unhealthy for workers. He does not propose any realistic solutions.

[@mba2ceo]

He is a chill for exploiters that pay his alleged whores ?

[@jrjubach]

@@mba2ceo wut?

[@mojisolashabi]

@@jrjubach think he meant shill

[@TheCeltic1001]

Untrue and unscientific.

[@senmafugu]

@@TheCeltic1001 working in open offices. You are distracted by every movement. Visual pollution everywhere. you are self conscious and exposed for everyone to see.

[@kristinarodriguez3]

This is great however I think a lot of businesses choose against putting in more nature aspects to their design because of cost one thing that could reduce cost is looking to integrate native plants to the area for instance in Southern plants to the area for instance in Southern California it is very dry and if you put plants that require more water in the dry climate you will be wasting money but if you incorporate native plants you will save money on water and they can be blooming year round without much maintenance.

[@googleuser6201]

They work pretty good at helping you not get corona virus though!

[@miltonwelch4177]

My first job out of architecture school was working for shah of Iran. How?

[@mba2ceo]

connections - SLAVES need no apply ?

[@Trinity5722]

Please watch the comedian talk about "The Pink Room". This was recorded 30 years ago. Listen to him talk about "The Pink Room".

[@alexshi8583]

i want to work in cubicle.

[@jrjubach]

It's actually pretty great, especially if you have a good amount of natural light and cubicle walls that are high enough. It's quiet and private, which are two things you need to think and work.

[@fromashestophoenix3018]

I actually really enjoy it. The walls are high enough that I have privacy, place I'm next to a huge window.

[@jrjubach]

@@fromashestophoenix3018 That's perfect.

[@tertiary7]

Misleading title. He only bashes cubicles for a second then moves on without explaining why they're bad or what the alternative would be. Having gone through several corporate moves over the years, cubicles are better than open concepts. I cannot imagine why any real worker wouldn't give up privacy. It's usually the bosses that either want eyes on everyone or high density floor space. I've gone from a 150 sq ft office to 65 to 50 over the years as office furniture companies convince management to invest in new floor plans to "increase collaboration". Code for cram more heads into a floor.

[@kerryholifieldjr6395]

Great talk but how do we explain the homeless and their fight with mental health? Here they sleep on all the green space.

[@lilpandanesegirl]

MAKE THEM TRIANGULAR.

[@user-lc5my2ey5v]

❤

[@maing5307]

The guy who thought a pink room would calm down a serial killer must of been smoking some pink weed. #thatdankkoosh

[@mirtikaschultz3282]

In the early 80s, I remember reading how pink rooms were relaxing, destressing: so, when I got married in '83, I made our bedroom pink. Three pink walls and one with a wallpaper with pink flowers. Pink floral comforter and pink pillowcases. Pink drapes. It was ridiculously feminine and my dear husband was so patient. But we sure did sleep well. :D

[@kellyodowd3949]

Amazon should bring nature into their warehouses to make the workers healthier too.

[@leslie2933]

Take out from the pink room. Does this explain the feminizing of pink? Is pink a color for women to wear to calm men down, or women?

[@spogmairabnawazmaken4848]

Wow

[@deingewissen_official]

work doesn’t work