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The workplace desk has undergone a steady evolution, convergent alongside technology and the very function of the office environment itself. What started as metal desk rows lined neatly—easy for supervisory observation—evolved into a sprawling cubicle farm and then into an amalgamation of open desks peppered with multiuse spaces. As we look forward, however, we see […]

From metal desk rows that defined mid-century offices, toward the 1990s-era cubicle farms, the design of desks in the office has evolved alongside the prevailing view of the American worker. In a previous post, we examined this history and what it meant for workplace culture. Understanding the history of workplace desks lays the foundation for […]

What will the desk ‘be’ in the future? It might sound like an odd question at first but consider the ubiquity of the desk. Perhaps you’re reading this while sitting at one at this very moment. For many an office worker, the desk is as much a part of the everyday as overhead lighting and […]

Few adages are more apt, more often, than “time is money.” Whether you’re building a new school, office space or even your dream home, time is a major concern for every construction project. From the moment a levy is passed, budget is approved, or loan is granted, the spending power of those dollars begins to […]

The future of the workplace is changing at a rapid pace. Many are worried what the future will look like with the constant advancements in AI and technology. With this in mind, there are certain questions that get asked quite frequently. Will my job become obsolete due to tech? What will the workforce look like […]

Each year it seems new headlines arise touting the plight of displaced college students due to over-enrollment and over-sold beds on university campuses across the United States. Although this condition is often temporary, it doesn’t do much to calm the frustration felt by all. With student success at the core of every higher education institution’s […]

The rapid evolution of the “non-traditional” student in higher education presents a situation where it’s time to consider whether we should reframe our assessment of the University structure as it relates to student success. From the campus master plan to the teaching practices, how are Universities addressing the need for making post-secondary education easily accessible […]

Architectural legend, Leoh Ming Pei (I.M. Pei), passed away on May 16, 2019, at the age of 102. Pei was a trailblazer in the design of public spaces, and has inspired architects around the globe; those of us at SHP included. His works included museums, libraries, workplaces and civic centers and his perspective melding beauty, form and […]

I had the privilege to attend a recent conference hosted by the Society for College and University Planning. It was focused, as the name might suggest, on the design and planning process for higher education facilities. There was a whirlwind of valuable information on how to modernize the country’s campuses to better facilitate student learning. […]

Climate change is a scientifically undeniable phenomenon that has already exerted negative effects across the globe, and—barring massive worldwide interventions—it ’s only going to get worse. As inhabitants of a shared planet, this is a problem for which we all share responsibility. As wildfires destroy homes, schools and entire communities, and other communities struggle to […]