BWDStudio’s Post

JCJ’s Interior Designer Jessica Barrow, NCIDQ is inspired by challenges that require exploration of a creative solution, while also pushing boundaries. Jessica naturally takes the initiative and dives directly into those challenges head on. She believes that design and architecture should foster environments that can positively impact the daily lives of those who inhabit them - to enhance interactions with others and ultimately help make the world a better place. Check out her Q&A below: 1. How did you get started in the A/E/C Industry? I decided when I was about 8/9 years old that I wanted to be an architect. I was drawing plans of houses and schools at that age and building things with toys all the time. 2. What inspires you to design? In high school I found Interior Architecture as a college major and quicky latched on to that as I wanted to make the most impactful change to humanity as I could, and designing the interiors seemed like the best way to do that. Design allowed me to marry my interests in art, math, science, and people, while also ultimately trying to make the world a better place. 3. What’s the coolest or most interesting thing you’re working on right now? Right now, I am working on a smoking lounge addition. One thing that is interesting is how we are trying to handle circulating air in and out of this space while also keeping smoke from entering the offices that are above. 4. What has been the most memorable moment in your career? Getting put on Construction Administration for a new train station project early on when I was about 24 years old with no knowledge of the project or any experience in construction. I learned A LOT on that project, and it propelled my career in a big way. 5. What is your proudest accomplishment? When I redesigned an existing tennis center and was told by the tournament staff that I made their lives easier and better than they thought possible. 6. What advice do you have for young women entering the A/E/C industry? Stay vocal about your goals and how you want to be challenged/grow. Take the reins in your own career. #womeninconstructionweek #wicweek2024 #womenshistorymonth #womeninarchitecture #jcjculture #interiordesign

At our Urban Style Interior Design Studio, we are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work. We believe that diverse perspectives enrich our creativity and lead to more innovative design solutions. Diversity: We celebrate diversity by welcoming team members and clients from all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our inclusive environment encourages a wide range of ideas and design inspirations, reflecting the rich tapestry of the communities we serve. Equity: We strive for equity by providing equal opportunities for all team members. This includes fair hiring practices, ongoing professional development, and support for career growth. We ensure that everyone has the resources and support they need to succeed. Inclusion: Our inclusive approach means creating spaces where everyone feels valued and heard. We actively seek out and incorporate diverse viewpoints in our design process, ensuring that our work is representative and accessible to all. Through our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we aim to create not only beautiful and functional spaces but also a workplace and client experience where everyone feels respected and empowered. #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #InteriorDesign #UrbanDesign #InclusiveWorkplace #DesignForAll #InnovativeDesign #Community #EqualOpportunity #CulturalDiversity #CreativeSolutions #ClientFocused #DesignStudio #UrbanStyle #Empowerment #FairPractices #ProfessionalDevelopment #Respect #TeamDiversity #InclusiveDesign

Interior design and architecture for neurodivergence When talking about inclusive interior design or the creation of accessible spaces through architecture, it is most common to think about the needs of people with reduced mobility. This is also what legislation contemplates: there should be ramps, elevators that accommodate a wheelchair, and adapted bathrooms. People with visual or hearing disabilities may also come to mind, but it is less common to remember another important group that could greatly benefit from a design that considers their differences in navigating the world: neurodivergent people. According to Deloitte, between 10 and 20% of the world’s population is neurodivergent, meaning they process sensory information differently. Just as stairs pose an obstacle for someone who cannot walk, a space with numerous simultaneous stimuli (noise and lights, for example) can be overwhelming and paralyzing for the neurodivergent population.

Do you always bring your ‘whole self’ to work? If you’re being honest – probably not. We all have unique needs, wants and worries, and they come to work with us every day. Organizations that consider people's humanity and make space for well beings signal they care – and people are able to do better work. Explore five spaces from Steelcase designers that support human needs – informed by personal experience. https://lnkd.in/eUf2ZNTT #steelcase #spaceplanning #spacedesign #wellbeing

Laura Guido-Clark's insightful piece on Dezeen highlights how color can humanize buildings, making them more engaging and uplifting for those who inhabit them. While some may criticize Heatherwick’s "Humanise," it's undeniable that interesting color, shape, and form are essential to creating dynamic and inspiring spaces. We feel better, have more optimism and think more creatively in environments that stimulate our senses. Consider the stark contrast with Soviet-era buildings like the infamous stalinkas that rose under a repressive regime. They evoke a sense of gloom and repression rather than celebrating human potential. The thought seems to be that color has a place among children. But what are we saying if we drain the colors from adulthood? There is immense opportunity in recognizing and enhancing the human experience through thoughtful design. If brighter colors and innovative forms contribute to this, then let's embrace them wholeheartedly. https://loom.ly/LVvJyP4 #architecture #design #buildings

The first thing I look at, when I enter buildings, is the artwork chosen to decorate them. The art chosen says a lot about the culture of that company, more than the words on the websites. Much more than the marketing materials. Quicker than behaviours and beliefs you need time to decode. A large investment bank used to have only abstract art. No faces. No humans. No defined shape. I understood loads immediately about them. Art is a window directly to the soul. Absolutely critical to decode deeper cultural patterns and values. After art, I look at internal architecture. Shapes. Connectivity. Lifts. Stairs. Desks. Chairs. Kitchens. Furniture. Colours. The use of light. Then I look at bathrooms. Bathrooms are critical to understand few elements. At one company, bathrooms made me understand I had made one of the biggest mistakes of my life joining them. It turned out to be true. Then objects that people leave on tables. In rooms. The personal touches. The presence of individuals in the place. The way space is owned, shared, claimed, rejected. That is what a cultural anthropologist does. If you are interested in culture and how to decode, influence and change yours, just contact me or the Randstad Advisory team at Randstad Enterprise. #culture #RandstadAdvisory #theCorporateAnthropologist

🌟 DEI and the POWER OF VISIBILITY in Interior Design 🌟 In interior design, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) is more than a trend; it’s a fundamental principle that goes beyond mere checkbox exercises. WHAT IS DEI: • DIVERSITY means integrating a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and cultural influences into our designs. This diversity enriches our industry and mirrors the vibrant tapestry of our world. 🌍 • EQUITY is about ensuring fair opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background. It’s about leveling the playing field so that all voices have the chance to contribute and succeed. ⚖️ • INCLUSION involves valuing and involving every voice in the industry, making sure everyone feels welcomed, heard, and valued. WHY IS VISIBILITY ESSENTIAL? VISIBILITY is key to this process. By amplifying diverse voices and creating platforms for those who might otherwise lack access, we dismantle barriers and foster a more inclusive and innovative industry. 🌟 WHY AM I WRITING ABOUT THIS? While we’ve made some strides in representing diverse talents, significant gaps remain, which have been evident in recent months. I recently highlighted these gaps, but the response was inadequate. This I will talk about on another post. WHAT DO WE NEED? We need real, meaningful action - not token gestures! WHICH TEAM ARE YOU ON? Team change, or do you prefer to remain part of the problem? #InteriorDesign #DEI #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion #VisibilityMatters #InclusiveDesign #diversityininteriordesign #diversity #realchangeisneeded #bethechange #diversitymatters #diversityequityinclusion #diversityequityandinclusion

Ever noticed those disproportionate bathroom lines, those transparent staircases that seem more like a design flaw, or those dark and dimly lit walking routes that leave you feeling uneasy? Imagine if just one woman had been included on those design teams - perhaps we'd have more equitable alternatives. In the United States, while 50% of architecture students are women, only 17% of registered architects are women. This glaring lack of diversity in design isn't just a statistic; it's a symptom of a larger problem. Architect and writer John Cary highlights how this imbalance can result in thoughtless, compassionless spaces. But it doesn't have to be this way. Imagine the possibilities if we diversified architecture, welcoming more women and minorities into the fold. Their unique perspectives, ideas, and experiences could revolutionize the way we approach design. From functional layouts to safer environments, inclusive design isn't just a buzzword - it's the pathway to smarter, more empathetic spaces that benefit everyone. Question for today: Who are your current workspaces designed for? Have you thought of how your workspace layout and design might exclude people? If you are ready for a more mature approach to DEI it's time for a coffee. 💡 #InclusiveDesign #DiversityInArchitecture #CraftingSpaces #RodVisionInMotion

Wrapping Up Year One: A Journey Through Master Interior Architecture at ArtEZ University of the Arts As I reflect on the first year of my Master’s in Interior Architecture at ArtEZ University, I am excited to share the insights and progress from my practice course. My practice idea integrates the architectural experience and skills I've developed through education and practical training to address social issues and conduct in-depth investigations. My primary focus has been on the relationship between architecture and psychological well-being, specifically through the lens of desk and chair design. Architects and employees often spend long hours seated at desks, which can significantly impact our mental health and overall well-being. By leveraging my knowledge and the tools at my disposal, I aim to create a workspace that fosters a soothing connection between humans and their environment. The environment profoundly affects employees' psychological states. Thus, my current research and prototype development revolve around designing workspaces that promote various postures and enhance well-being. By incorporating design elements that encourage stretching postures, we can positively influence moods and overall health. In the course of this journey, I have been exploring the concept of embodied cognition—a communication process between the mind and body, where body positioning can directly impact mood and vice versa. Practising good posture offers many positive benefits for both body and mind. This connection is a cornerstone of my research. Through images and collages, I have been examining different postures and their significance, constantly asking: what can these postures do for the contemporary office space? By promoting various postures, my workspace design addresses different body parts and aims to enhance the mood and health of its occupants. I am eager to continue this exploration in the coming year and look forward to sharing more updates on my journey towards creating healthier, more inspiring work environments. You can view the mind map at this link: https://lnkd.in/gr3PnaT4 #InteriorArchitecture #ArtEZUniversity #SocialDesign #WorkspaceWellbeing #EmbodiedCognition #PostureMatters #HealthyWorkspaces #DesignForGoodMood #ArchitectureForSocialChange

JCJ’s Senior Project Architect Janine (Croke) Clifford has a broad understanding of a variety of client projects having worked in various departments over the past decade. With degrees in both interior design and architecture, Janine is passionate about all aspects of the industry in hospitality design. Check out her Q&A below: 1. How did you get started in the A/E/C Industry? I started to make my way in design via the studio arts program in college. I was always interested in being an artist and a dancer. Combining my love of drawing and attraction to theatrics and lighting through my dance training, the Interior Design program seemed to be a place where I could draw, choreograph, and create all at once. After graduating and practicing as an interior designer for a few years, I went back to school with the goal of becoming an architect and started working at Group One, a JCJ Architecture Studio. 2. What inspires you to design? Transforming a space into an experience for people to interact with, whether it be a functional or sensory experience, or ideally, both. 3. What’s the coolest or most interesting thing you’re working on right now? The most interesting thing for me at the moment is not an actual building project but a fateful career pivot that has found myself being immersed in an even larger group of creative people spanning the country and learning more about design from a wider range of personalities, cultures, and experiences has been inspiring and a time of self-reflection. 4. What is the biggest change you have seen in the industry since you started? There are so many new ways we experience places and space. We rarely have spaces that serve a single purpose; workspaces can also be social spaces, dining spaces can be workspaces, public spaces can have intimate moments, etc. Virtual technology has also greatly changed how we can experience spaces, opening up the world of design to infinite possibilities and genres. #womeninconstructionweek #wicweek2024 #womenshistorymonth #jcjculture #womeninarchitecture