Speaker Series, The Pit: Nick Kapica & Nick Mouat

These two talked about the future building plans for Massey University as the campus is shifting away from the museum building. The first move was relocating the the staff space to block 1, discussing their new approach to the renovating office environment.

Some key spatial design notes I took:

In the context of spatial systems (functional flow of the space)

- Divisions take up space within a system
- Question what categories are divided for cross over knowledge to happen
- Give breathing space for well-being and flexibility
- Give the divisions emotive/sensory identity as well for readability
- People like unique niche spaces
- Remember the little things like coat hangers
- Understand that a spaces limitations is not always a good idea to push/force
- Don't accidentally make space hierarchy in building qualities
- Involve other people for feedback, especially the client
- Question what is the fundamental functionality of the space
- Open undefined spaces will be used
- Question why systems are more closed or open
- Re-used material has a certain charm and is also practical for cutting costs
- People like the freedom to nomadic in their workspace
- With open spaces (or any extreme) provide the opposite like quiet independent spaces
- Flexibility/simplicity makes the space able to be more individualised for anyone
- Realise the psychology of the space: people will feel different on different days and this goes for how they react to the space
- Technology advancement reshapes spaces
- Novelty may wear off
- Regular client communication is important


- Building community enabling collaboration.
- Consider activities, furniture, spaces, and storage.
- Relate teacher learning to student learning.
- Creativity, Virtuosity, Understanding, Autonomy, Connectedness.
- Reviewing other office spaces (look at Sound Cloud offices).
- How do people need to work? Question this!
- Re use furniture.
- Consider semi privacy.
- Test the space, be aware of changing.
- People need more power, consider power supply needs.
- Comfy pods.