Focus Isn't Found - It's Designed

The best workplace design starts long before the furniture arrives. For Family Nurturing Center, that meant creating a space rooted in trauma-informed care, staff wellbeing, and the needs of the families they serve.In this episode of Tell Me More, Allsteel's Dr. Lauren Gant is joined by Jane Herms, President and CEO of Family Nurturing Center, and Alex Palmieri, workplace consultant at RJ Interiors, to explore how a mission-driven organization translated its values into a physical environment.From purpose mapping and collaboration to thoughtful design decisions, discover how understanding the needs of people can shape spaces that support healing, connection, and everyday work.Learn More:https://www.allsteeloffice.com/tell-me-more

What does it take to create a workplace that truly works for the people using it? It starts with understanding how people work and recognizing that there’s no single space, setting, or solution that can support every need. In this episode of Tell Me More, Andrea Gauss, Dr. Lauren Gant, and Rikki Crowe from Allsteel’s Workplace Advisory team introduce Harmonizing Spaces, an approach to creating greater alignment between people, work, and place. Together, they explore what it means to tune the room, the day, and the organization, from designing for focus and collaboration to considering flexibility, choice, workplace data, and the everyday experiences that shape how people use space. Along the way, they examine why employees may leave the office to focus, what underused or misused spaces can tell us, and why workplace strategy starts with understanding people rather than prescribing a solution. Because when the way we work continues to change, creating a workplace that supports it requires more than space. It requires intention.Learn More: https://www.allsteeloffice.com/tell-me-more

In this episode of Tell Me More, the final installment of our three-part Rhythm of Change series, Andrea Gauss of Allsteel is joined by Dave Kutsunai, Co-Managing Director of IA Interior Architects’ Seattle studio, to explore how the accelerating pace of change is reshaping the spaces where we work. Together, they discuss how shifting workflows, emerging technologies, and evolving business needs are challenging organizations to think differently about workplace design.From adaptability and circular design to AI, sensory experience, and post-occupancy strategy, this conversation examines what it takes to create workplaces that can evolve alongside the people and organizations they support. Dave shares practical insights into balancing permanence with flexibility, designing for both focus and human connection, and creating spaces that can respond to change without losing their sense of identity.As the final episode in The Rhythm of Change series, this conversation explores change through the perspective of space—bringing together the business, individual, and workplace perspectives explored throughout the series and examining how thoughtful design can help organizations keep pace with the evolving rhythms of work.Learn More:https://www.allsteeloffice.com/tell-me-more

In this episode of Tell Me More, the second installment of our three-part Rhythm of Change series, Dr. Lauren Gant of Allsteel is joined by Dr. Kati Peditto, design psychologist and founder of Built Experience Lab, to explore how individuals experience the accelerating pace of change in their daily work. Together, they discuss how personal rhythms, evolving workplace expectations, and greater autonomy are reshaping the way we work.From ultradian rhythms and neurodiversity to flexible work policies and intentional workplace design, this conversation examines how organizations can better support focus, well-being, and productivity by embracing individual differences. Dr. Peditto shares practical, research-backed insights into creating work experiences that empower people to thrive in a rapidly changing world.As the second episode in The Rhythm of Change series, this conversation explores change through the personal work perspective. In the final episode, we'll examine how thoughtfully designed spaces can adapt to support the evolving rhythms of work.Learn More:https://www.allsteeloffice.com/tell-me-more

In this episode of Tell Me More, the first installment of our three-part Rhythm of Change series, Andrea Gauss of Allsteel is joined by Amy Craig, Executive Vice President at JLL, and Megan Mackinson, Head of JLL's Workplace Team, to explore how organizations are embracing the accelerating pace of change. Together, they discuss how evolving business priorities, workplace expectations, and emerging technologies are reshaping workplace strategy, real estate decisions, and leadership.From flexible lease strategies and workplace amenities to AI and data-informed decision-making, this conversation examines what it takes to build organizations that embrace change rather than simply react to it. Amy and Megan share practical insights into creating workplaces and business strategies that remain adaptable in an ever-changing world.As the first episode in The Rhythm of Change series, this conversation sets the stage by exploring change through the business perspective. In the episodes ahead, we'll examine how change shapes the individual work experience and how thoughtfully designed spaces can adapt to support the evolving rhythms of work.Learn More:https://www.allsteeloffice.com/tell-me-more

In this episode of the Tell Me More podcast, host Andrea Gauss and Brian Kaule of Allsteel joins Christopher Schmidt of ITO Design and Chris Adamick of Adamick Design to discuss the future of furniture design and the evolving relationship between technology, craftsmanship, and the human experience. Together, they explore the thinking behind Allsteel's newest products, Levra and Flourish, which were introduced during Fulton Market Design Days in Chicago, and discuss how advances in AI, digital tools, and material innovation are expanding what's possible in furniture design. From creating more intuitive experiences for the people who use them to balancing efficiency with emotional connection, the group shares how designers are embracing new technologies while keeping people at the center of the design process.Tune in for more insights on the future of workplace design: www.allsteeloffice.com/tell-me-more

In this episode of the Tell Me More podcast, Allsteel explores how AI is reshaping design studios and creative collaboration. Julia de Bono and Delaney Santos of Designworks, a BMW Group Company, discuss how designers can thoughtfully integrate AI into workflows while preserving the human creativity and artistic perspective that drive meaningful innovation. Tune in for an engaging conversation on curiosity, collaboration, and the evolving relationship between technology and design.Learn More: www.allsteeloffice.com/tell-me-more

Join host Rikki Crowe as she chats with Madison Gentry from Allsteel and Dima Daimi-Lewis, founder of Provoke Designs, about the transformative power of demountable walls in workplace design. Discover how these walls offer unmatched flexibility and adaptability, embodying the "living in beta" philosophy to meet evolving work needs. Learn how they save time for interior architects and foster collaboration among architects, designers, developers, and furniture manufacturers. Explore topics like color and finishes, continuous ceiling planes, and the cost benefits over traditional construction. Uncover the positive impact on users, the design process, and the workplace ecosystem.This episode was previously recorded in July 2024. Learn More: ⁠www.allsteeloffice.com/tell-me-more

In this episode of the Tell Me More podcast, Allsteel host Andrea Gauss is joined by industry leaders Beth Goff-McMillan, CEO of SKG, and Susan Stinnett, Principal of Insidesource PNW, to explore the nuances of effective leadership. They discuss the importance of focus, the art of delegation, and the power of creating space for reflectionand respite. The conversation highlights how leaders can navigate change, foster innovation, and maintain authenticity in a rapidly evolving business landscape. Tune in to discover insights on leading with clarity and the significance of human connection in the age of technology.Learn More: www.allsteel.com/tell-me-more

In this episode of Tell Me More, Dr. Lauren Gant of Allsteel and Dr. Susan Chung, Director of Innovation Programs at HKS Inc.,explore how to design focus in a world filled with distractions. They discuss how our environments, habits, and culture shape our ability to concentrate—and share practical strategies to improve productivity, creativity, and overallwell-being. From achieving the elusive flow state to examining the latest research on brain health, this conversation reveals how intentional design canhelp you work smarter and live better. Learn More: www.allsteeloffice.com/tell-me-morehttps://www.hksinc.com/how-we-think/reports/getting-to-a-brain-healthy-workplace/