Sense of Place
Sustaining your community
Deloitte
CORPORATE
NATIONWIDE, USA
DESIGN DIRECTORS: MAVIS WIGGINS (2007-2009), JON AMBROSE (2010-PRESENT)
PROJECT MANAGER: LESLEY MORGADO
PROJECT DESIGNERS: AYUMI DATE, KYONG KOO LEE, JOSH GEISINGER
COLORS AND MATERIALS: AYUMI DATE
FURNISHINGS: AYUMI DATE
所
Tokoro
In 2007, a friend and colleague at Gensler NY asked me to help develop a design concept for their client, the financial giant Deloitte. Together, we took the design from development to implementation of Deloitte’s first “Workplace of the Future” prototype in Parsippany, New Jersey. This five-week design charrette at Gensler became a consulting position for more than seven years.
I believed my residential and retail experience was appreciated in that I brought a different perspective. Going against conventional materials boards, laboriously containing products into meticulously arranged candy boxes, we displayed floor materials on the floors, wall materials on vertical surfaces, creating interactive vignettes. We took over the library, conference rooms, hallways to review schemes–a glimpse into a future work culture where your position in a corporation is not tied to the amount of real estate you occupy.
“If you spend eight hours of your day at work, and eight hours at home, there is no reason why your workplace should be any less of a community than your home.” - Sara Ishikawa, A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction
For Deloitte, I am most proud of creating material palette options from which each branch office could embody the local spirit where each resided. We integrated local sources and artisans with our design standards, keeping the individual branches similar, but different. This was authentic sustainability, and went far beyond a LEED qualification.
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At a time when the building and design trends leaned toward standard implementation regardless of locale, my team fought against convention. This required time upfront to research and source relationships with local artisans and craftsmen, from which we were able to identify products and materials locally and utilize community expertise and methodologies. We developed design guidelines that enhanced the aesthetics and artistry of the local communities.
This building approach helped with the bottom line and LEED certification, as well as fostering a sense of belonging in the humans who work in and on these projects. These details acknowledge the heritage of each location and by inviting collaborative participation, we enabled Deloitte to both give and receive a warmer welcome to and from its community.
Navigating as an outlier, a part-time consultant. Being appreciated for being different–bringing fresh ideas and sourcing of materials. Challenging the structure and conventions of corporate America. Recognizing what is outdated, hierarchical, patriarchal and discriminating.
