23 Jan 2025

Reimagining Workplaces: Exploring the Future of Office Design with Hollie Welch at dMFK

Office design has changed sharply since the pandemic, but the real question is not whether offices still matter. It is what kind of workplace is worth travelling for.

Stephen Drew speaks with Hollie Welch, Associate Director at dMFK, about commercial office design, changing workplace expectations, sustainability, team culture and how practices can make offices work harder for the people using them.

The conversation covers:

How commercial office design has changed since the pandemic
Why user experience and staff attraction now matter more in workplace projects
How sustainability is shaping office design decisions
What remote work means for architecture teams and studio culture
How AI could affect the future of office and workplace design

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▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSF9C1MHUuM

📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:
https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/hollie-welch-dmfk-workplace-design/

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and setting the scene
00:12 Meet Hollie Welch from dMFK
01:20 Early career and education
02:54 Joining dMFK and early projects
05:01 The pandemic and office design
06:34 Evolution of office space
18:14 Sustainability and future trends
23:55 Remote work in architecture
25:10 Attracting and retaining office staff
26:25 The dMFK office environment
28:59 Tips for aspiring architects
31:33 AI in architecture
36:36 Stephen's office setup and challenges
39:01 Conclusion and contact details

(00:00) - Introduction and Setting the Scene
(00:12) - Meet Holly Welsh: Journey into Architecture
(01:20) - Early Career and Education
(02:54) - Joining DMFK and Early Projects
(05:01) - Impact of the Pandemic on Office Design
(06:34) - Evolution of Office Spaces
(18:14) - Sustainability and Future Trends
(23:55) - Challenges of Remote Work in Architecture
(25:10) - Attracting and Retaining Office Staff
(26:25) - The DMFK Office Environment
(28:59) - Tips for Aspiring Architects
(31:33) - Impact of AI in Architecture
(36:36) - Host's Office Setup and Challenges
(39:01) - Conclusion and Contact Information

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