ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW: SEAN CASSIDY

Whilst researching what other concepts are out there focusing on the health and wellbeing of staff I came across Sean Cassidy’s Organic Grid+ project which won the Workplace of the Future 2.0 design competition by Metropolis magazine. Sean graduated from interiors at DJCAD in 2012 and has worked at several architectural practices across the country including Benoy Architects in London where he currently is based.

His concept focuses on looking at the negative associations of working in the modern day “open plan” office spaces and looks at the importance of employee comfort. One thing that really caught my eye and influenced my project is Sean’s statement that “workers are the heart of most businesses, and should be treated as such.”

I feel the opportunity to approach Sean and ask for his thoughts on my concept as it currently stands was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. I emailed him with a brief overview and link to the RSA brief.

His reply gave me a chance to see my project from the prospective of someone who had no previous insight into my idea.

One of the main points Sean made that got me thinking was his opinion that productivity & creativity are two completely different things. This enabled me to begin to refine my thoughts and ensure I don’t get the two mixed up. Upon further research, to me, although creativity and productivity are separate they very much affect each other. I will continue my project with a focus on this.

On another hand Sean brought to my attention the effect the geometric aspect of the glass in my design may have on the manufacturing costs and ease of mass production/construction. This made me rethink the importance of this aspect of the design coming to the conclusion it was merely for aesthetic reasons and maybe a more practical detail could be considered instead, my next task…

Talking to Sean really helped me to bring my concept back to the brief and now ensure that I take it forward in a realistic, precise way in the time I have left.