Design: Ethics of Practice - Gensler - Case Study Example

DESIGN ETHICS CASE STUDY Gensler”s approach to design is characterized by; a) People which is then manpower. He focuses on talent recruitment and retaintion. b) Goal focus- this is the aim of maximizing human capital. c) Brand- brand helps in communicating mission and values of the organization. d) Interactive space-this helps in gathering a wide range of ideas for innovation. e) Mobility-this is worker distribution network to various areas. f) Openness- this ensures access and visibility among individuals hence no cases of fraud. According to Gensler is approach to design, competitive success in an organization can be achieved by considering factors which will improve employee’s efficiency like work environment, technology and health WORK PLACE Gensler greatly values the working environment and working place as a key condition that really ensures a great productivity of employees. For an organization to achieve its goal in the market, Gensler describes the working office as a place that should be comfortable to work in. this can be ensured by considering factors like technology, health and social relation between workers. TECHNOLOGY Technology has led to globalization. Globalization is the interconnection between nations, people, companies and entrepreneurs. This leads to creation of new markets and business opportunities. Technology has facilitated globalization by empowering work to happen everywhere and employees can work from different destinations like in their homes, different cities, hotels, during travel e.t.c Now basing on a wide expansion brought about by technology, people from diversified places can now work together. So the workplace should be able to provide a wide range of work place options to meet the needs of these workers. Gensler’s move to introduce new use of technology in work place and allowing employees to work globally in different destinations makes it different internationally. (More than 80% of workers felt that technology has enhanced their workplace environment. Technologies used include: desktop computer A84%, mobile phone 46%, laptop computer 38%, wire less access.) HEALTH Health is another factor that Gensler has considered as key in the working environment. He considers that sustainable work environment is not an option but a mandate for effective productivity in office. A healthy environment facilitates recruitment and retention of employees. It also boosts moral hence greater productivity in the organization. The approach taken when deleing with interntion client falls under diversity factor. One has to learn to provide a good work environment to te client, provide effwectiive communication channel, and good co relation withemployees. According to Gensler he values technology as a distance shrinker which brings clients together from different cultures, religion and races. Basing on this diversity, Gensler identified new work place design, new work modes and responsibilities to ensure the right work environment hence meet the unique needs of each organization. Research valuation is a very important practice in an organization since it does affect the performance of a company. For an effective resaerh that will come up with trusted results, the company appointed an independent research firm (D/R Added Value) which was responsible for all aspects of the survey. Methods of research used were questionnaire, open forum and interview. All the aspects of survey including data analysis, tabulation and testing were done by the independent firm. The research results obtained from the firm were tabulated and published to indicate a good response of employee’s interest. This gives the employees a sense that their concerns are being attended to hence boosting morale of the workers. Gesler used the results to create a worker friendly workplace hence boosting productivity and create a sense of equality between top management and workers. Actually research covered job satisfaction, productivity, innovation, workplace design issues, worker state of mind and demography. There is no time where Gesler appeared as the one after the research as the research included about eight industries. This was to ensure that the architectural employees do not look as if they are being targeted and this led to real results. the topics covered also is common to all the industries. The main approach to ethics basically knows how to live in a society. One must understand oneself and knowing how to behave in a society when socializing with other people. In professional point of view, ethics is the code or rules of conduct when performing a professional work. It’s a self guide on how one relates with clients, colleagues and employer. In Genslers practice, ethics is considered as responsibility to do the right thing. Basing on the four drivers, diversity, distance, work mode, and Responsibility Company’s code can be designed to leverage the workplace as a transformative tool to support client goals. He also say that the company’s goal is not only to generate profit but also must act ethically, support its employees, and respect the environment. Company ethics is not only limited to its workers and professional duties also, it should be aware of its environmental ethics. A heightened awareness about the depleting of natural resources and the great impact we have on the environment should be done for natural environment conservation. Heynen H. and Henket H.J. (Eds) NAI Rotterdam 2002. Tony Fry focuses on three areas about design intelligence. He quotes, “For design ‘intelligence practice’ has three areas of focus: adaptation in face of what has to change to counter the unsustainable; the elimination of what threatens sustainment by designing ‘things’ away; and figuration, which is designing in order to directly deal with what is coming.” [Design Philosophy Politics 1:07 forthcoming. In detail s he dwells on concept that the current design should be focusing on the future trends. He emphasises that a designer should design something that tackles today’s problem and aiming at the future upcoming models. Arendt, Hannah (1958/1986) The Human Condition Chicago: University of Chicago Press Fry post that design is currently helping to ‘De future ’us literally taking away our future. He argues for a design practice that must ‘fundamentally change has to be redesigned. Intelligently’ (Fry, 2008, p.26) and it is this redesigned design practice, that can lead us to a new form of living, one that is sustainable. The redesign Fry is focusing on is the intelligence one where the future is a key factor to consider. Some of the questions are; how is our environment tomorrow? How is this design affecting humankind? In reference to Gensler, he emphasises on technology and sustainability of the environment by non depletion of the natural resources. Here we actually note that Gensler has put into practice this intelligent design by making sure that there is a conducive working condition to encourage recruitment and retention of new employers who come with fresh innovative brains. Secondly from the common quote that ‘innovation is the mother of invention’, Gensler in his design guide has encouraged technology which makes work easy encourages inventions and workers of diverse cultures can work together from a distance. This ensures that there is good correlation and ideas from different brains are shared hence greater and effective outcome is reaped. In conclusion intelligent design is whereby the designer thinks of solving current challenges and not forgetting the future. Aristotle (1925/1991) the Nicomachean Ethics (Trans David Ross) Oxford: Oxford University Press Alain de Botton suggests that beauty is the environment within which we are. The things that make up our environment come mainly from architectural design. This include: the kinds of walls, chairs, buildings, and streets that surround us. Now the quality of these things is what makes us a happy environment. He argues that these are great but often unmentioned things that cause happiness and misery in life. Alain de Botton The Architecture of Happiness[27] (2006). I do greatly agree with Alain de Bottons idea of beauty. Actually taking for consideration our houses for example, one will look for a good design for is house. Looking at the inside part of the house one will look for beautiful curtains, furniture to furnish the house and generally all this lies within the bracket of design. Design is the key driver for a comfortable and happy environment. Design is beauty. New York, Alain de Botton, Volume 35, New York Magazine Co., 2002, page 90 Taste in design is the general contentment of an individual or society. When one gets satisfied with something and likes it that is the individual’s taste of that design. Alain de Button says that architecture affects people every day even though mostly we fail to realize it. Good examples are hotels, homes and furniture. Alain de Botton, The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work In Gensler’ point of view; he brings out the work place as a place which must be beautiful and enjoyable to stay at. Gensler said, “An office can be more than just a nice place—it can be a dynamic workplace environment with the power to enhance company’s business goals”. This is an indication of how he valued the work place as a factor that promoted productivity. He went a step forward to introducing technological things like internet, teleconferencing and emails to make work easy and comfortable. The Gensler Design + Performance Index www.gensler.com REFERENCES Ethics, Aesthetics, and DesignAuthor(s): Alain FindeliReviewed work(s): Source: Design Issues, Vol. 10, No. 2 (summer, 1994), pp. 49-68Published by: The MIT Press c The Real World: Alain de Botton, philosopher, writer and TV presenter http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp The Architecture of Happiness, Official Website Read More