The Hidden Psychology of Safe Space — Workplace design and building professionals have responded admirably to the Covid-19 pandemic, advancing a multitude of practical and science-backed ideas for safely re-opening offices where and when government officials allow. Unfortunately, by themselves these prescriptions could fall short in convincing large swaths of the workforce to feel comfortable with returning…

As an architect who studies the psychology of creative environments, and the author of a recently published book on the subject, I’m often asked what the most common mistake creatives make in fitting out their physical workspace. Easy, I reply. They’re looking the wrong way. Looking the wrong way? It…

The value of developing creative ideas the old-fashioned way — Our love affair with all things digital has brought many great inventions into the world. …

Distant thoughts can bring out great ideas — You could be forgiven for thinking that social distancing only recently stormed into the global lexicon in the wake of the Covid-19 health crisis. Yet the phrase was already in the air nearly two decades ago, when it was associated with one of the most influential psychological theories to have…

How cleaning up your act could be a boon to your brain, or lead to creative block. — Organizing and decluttering is all the rage these days. For that, we can largely thank the present-day titan of tidiness, Marie Kondo, whose KonMari method has fueled several books, a Netflix series, and invigorated an entire industry devoted to helping people maintain control over their physical possessions. But as an…

There’s no place like home, Dorothy famously declares at the end of the classic 1939 film Wizard of Oz. Today, people who study and practice workplace design might be tempted to add “ — except for the office.” For that, we can thank the growing influence of an emerging strategy…

It seems implausible, but your conference room table could well be bad for business. Especially if your business is driven by the desire to innovate, as many entrepreneurial ventures and creative industries are by definition. Now, don’t confuse my admonition with the nature of meetings generally. I am not referring…

“Why is it I get my best ideas in the morning while I’m shaving?” Albert Einstein is said to have wondered. Given the setting where this particular activity is normally performed, the celebrated scientist might just as well have asked “Why is it I get my best ideas at home?” …