Building Community in Buildings: The Design and Culture of Dynamic Workplaces

Building Community in Buildings takes us on a fascinating journey through workplaces large and small, old and new, traditional and contemporary, to explore the dynamic relationships between people and the structures in which they work. Noting that a child born today will spend 90 percent of his or her life inside, Jana Kemp and Ken Baker integrate insights from management and building design to reveal new understandings about workplace productivity and performance. Showcasing dozens of examples―from office buildings to libraries to hospitals―the authors highlight innovative practies that utilize space to promote creativity and collaboration, improve morale and motivation, and ensure employee health and safety. Featuring over a dozen photographs, practical recommendations, and the tools to conduct a workplace design survey in your own organization, Building Community in Buildings ultimately demonstrates that by investing in spaces that support people needs, companies will strengthen bottom-line results.

Building Community in Buildings takes us on a fascinating journey through workplaces large and small, old and new, traditional and contemporary, to explore the dynamic relationships between people and the structures in which they work. Consider that in the 1950s, average North Americans spent approximately 50 percent of their time in buildings, compared to a child born today, who will spend 90 percent of his or her life inside. Clearly and increasingly, our social and cultural relationships are deeply influenced by the physical spaces in which they are created.

Jana Kemp and Ken Baker integrate insights from management and building design to reveal new understandings about workplace productivity and performance. Showcasing dozens of examples―from the redesign of the Hood River Library in Oregon (with input from front-line employees) to the creation of open, naturally-lit spaces in Lockheed Building 157 (increasing employee productivity by 15%), the authors highlight innovative practices that utilize space to promote creativity and collaboration, improve morale and motivation, and ensure employee health and safety. They also explore the pros and cons of virtual workplaces, in which people are connected electronically but not physically, and trace the impact and influences of such trends as the green building movement. Featuring over a dozen photographs, practical recommendations, and the tools to conduct a workplace design survey in your own organization, Building Community in Buildings ultimately demonstrates that by investing in spaces that support people needs, companies will strengthen bottom-line results.

Jana M. Kemp, founder and owner of Meeting & Management Essentials, is a management trainer, facilitator, and speaker, specializing in improving individual and organizational productivity and performance, and working with clients in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. In 2004 she was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives. Recipient of several small business ownership awards, and a regular commentator in newspapers, radio, and television, she is the author of Moving Meetings and No! How One Simple Word Can Transform Your Life.

Ken Baker is owner of K energy Consulting, a Boise-based research and consulting company that works with communities, building owners, and building design teams to develop environmentally sustainable and human responsive buildings. In 1982 he opened a residential design and construction business, Integrated Living Designs, specializing in energy and environmentally efficient housing design, and from 1985 to 2000 he worked for the State of Idaho Energy Division as a building energy specialist.