The Role of Big Data in Workplace Design

The workplace is no longer just a company’s headquarters. Today’s workplace can be a hotel lobby, the airport, a coffee shop, a coworking space, or one’s own home. In this sense, the idea of the workplace is changing, and companies are starting to bring in arquitectes and using big data in order to drive design decisions in order for their workplace to truly support the modern workforce generation.

This has created a new dynamic for architects, as many are no longer commissioning outside architects for their workplace projects. This has created a gap between the traditional architect method and the newer trend of using data and client-driven insights. However, it’s what happens in between these two ends that matters the most, as it can provide companies and architects with a real understanding of place, culture, and potential growth.

An external architect is valuable as he or she can provide a fresh perspective to a company. On the other hand, the use of big data and internal people can provide information more quickly, which can help drive decisions. One element that’s crucial, however, is that the facilities team be a part of every project, as they are the ones that have the most intimate knowledge of space, knowing best what works well and what doesn’t.

Creating a modern workplace requires that a project values each team member equally, the architect (internal or external), designer, and facility manager, providing each with an opportunity to analyze and  understand the data behind important decisions.