The Office of Good Intentions. Human(s) Work

Architects Florian Idenburg and LeeAnn Suen explore the evolution of American office space since the advent of the internet, examining the relationships between space, work, and people through twelve essays and photographic essays. The book explores the spatial typologies and global phenomena that have defined the office in the last half century, including the return of the work club, the rise of the corporate festival, the way of the charismatic guru, the shattering of the time clock, and the design of playgrounds for work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 592 pages
Publication date: 25 August 2022
Publisher: Taschen GmbH

Architects Florian Idenburg and LeeAnn Suen take readers on a captivating journey through a diverse array of objects, systems, and buildings that have shaped the American office landscape since the advent of the internet. Through captivating stories and speculative insights, they unravel the intricate relationships between space, work, and people, exploring the driving intentions behind the evolution of office design for the modern working human. Spanning twelve essays, this comprehensive book delves into the spatial typologies and global phenomena that have defined the office over the past half-century. Topics range from the resurgence of work clubs to the rise of corporate festivals, the influence of charismatic gurus, the disruption of time clocks, and the creation of playful work environments.

We embark on a sensory exploration, traversing Frank O. Gehry's radical and playful spaces for digital nomads in the advertising world, navigating the weight of stacks of punch cards, experiencing the ergonomic comfort of the Aeron Chair, answering the phone in Hugh Hefner's bed, and scrolling through Lil Miquela's captivating feed. Iwan Baan's photographic essays serve as a visual post-occupancy report, showcasing iconic office projects like Marcel Breuer's IBM campus in Florida and the Ford Foundation's urban garden in Manhattan.

In addition to the main text, four intervening catalogs provide a wealth of additional resources. These catalogs showcase experimental workplace products, inaugural advertisements for office building components, digital office components, and speculative workplace renderings. Each catalog serves as a bridge between the reality of the office and our imaginative visions of its alternatives, fostering a deeper understanding of the spaces and solutions designed for human work.

This book appeals to a wide audience, including architects, businesspeople, and employees alike. With a curious and discerning mindset, it examines the spaces and solutions crafted for human labor, tracing the transformative journey from work to occupation, from the era of punch cards. By exploring the interplay between space, work, and people, this book offers valuable insights and perspectives that can inform the design and management of modern office environments.

Weight: 1116g
Dimension: 173 x 225 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783836574365