Never before have we spent so much time working out of the office. As home, civic and public spaces adapt to meet our competing work-life needs, we see a complex blending of typologies that indeed filters right back into the workplace. Where will it all land?
In this session, Simon Pole (Unispace), Sue Fenton (Woods Bagot), Kirsti Simpson (HASSELL) and Nic Brunsdon (Nic Brunsdon) analyses those rapid shifts to forecast a future of hybrid spaces.
Jan Henderson was lately acting-editor of Indesign magazine and is now contributing across the breadth of Indesign products as well as Program Director of the INDE.Awards 2021. Her previous roles have included associate publisher at Architecture Media for three years, co-editor of inside magazine and Interiors editor of Architel.tv for the past six years. As Principal of Henderson Media Consultants she contributes to various architecture and design magazines, is a regular speaker at events and has participated as a juror for industry awards. Jan is passionate about design and through her different roles supports and contributes to design in Australia.
Nic is the director of the design practice NIC BRUNSDON and the director of the urban program Spacemarket, which pairs disused spaces with useful people. Since its formation, Spacemarket has paired over 500 tenants across 20,000m2 of floorspace and continues to
work across Australia to activate forgotten, unloved, and in-between use spaces that test the changing nature of work and occupancy. His architecture studio is much awarded and operates locally and internationally from Perth, Western Australia.
He has worked on policy formation and development at all three levels of government, most recently leading the Design WA suite of built environment policies within the Department of Planning, Lands, and Heritage for the Western Australian State Government.
In 2015 he was the winner of the Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architect Award, firstly for Western Australia and then nationally. He is a past nominee for the 40 under 40 young business leaders award, a nominated thought leader for the City of Perth, the 2015 recipient of the Dulux International Study Tour for Emerging Architects, the 2017/18 recipient of the Gil Nicol Biennial International Study Bursary, a founding Board Member of Activate Perth, is a part of the upcoming season of Grand Designs Australia, and has recently received recognition at the World Architecture Festival, Dezeen Awards, Houses Awards, and Australian Institute of Architects Awards programs.
Simon has over 25 years’ experience leading exceptional and complex projects with clients globally.
His forte is working closely with the c-suite to understand their business, to interpret the data and translate the words and numbers into tailored design solutions which enhance employee performance; ultimately changing the way businesses do business.
Sue has over 20 years of Interior design leadership experience, working across all sectors of the Global studio. Sue creates engaging spaces that enhance our built environment, provide a sense of place and enrich the user experience. Sue’s main focus is on design outcomes developed through a collaborative design process, that unleash project potential and are informed by deep research.
Sue has a passionate commitment to design excellence and engages with RMIT’s education program, contributing to the Course Advisory Committee. Appointed judge to the prestigious IDEA awards, Sue regularly participates in design competitions and publications. Although based in the Melbourne Studio, her expertise has led her to projects in New York, London, Sydney, Perth and Doha. Sue is currently undertaking a Phd by Practice Research mode at RMIT.
Kirsti is an internationally recognised specialist in workplace design who has earned a place on numerous boards – a testament to an impressive career defined by a number of ‘firsts’ in her profession. She brings a style and flair to work environments that are also highly practical – places that balance function and innovation to ensure they’re successful on day one and well into the future.
“Collaboration is crucial. This requires us all to listen carefully. To find the unique outcome in every conversation.”
Kirsti is a great advocate and ally for her national and international clients, and one of her strengths is her ability to listen wholeheartedly and think strategically to help them achieve their business goals. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Queensland.