sally's blog

Designers are often called upon to be creative, and some also may live in several countries during the course of their lives.  Tadmor, Galinsky, and Maddux “discovered that the simple act of living abroad was not enough to bolster creative and professional success.

A recent study at the University of Michigan supports co-locating team members.  Owen-Smith, Kabo, Levenstein, Price, Davis, Hwang and Nessler learned that “Researchers who occupy the same building are 33 percent more likely to form new collaborations than researchers who occupy different buildings, and scientists who occupy the same floor are 57 percent more likely to form new collaborations than investigators who occupy different buildings.”  The team believes that their “findings have wide relevance to corporations, as well.

Nugent provides many practical suggestions for the design of residential common areas that college students are likely to use.  For example:  “Students want to see and be seen. Common areas that are open to, and visible from, the main entry and circulation route draw students in. Likewise, open spaces are far more likely to be active social spaces than closed rooms. Any level of barrier diminishes the likelihood that a student will enter the space and engage in activities.