This article was written by Steelcase, Inc. for Steelcase Village Americas News.
As businesses that help others create high performing workplaces, it is important that dealerships too have modern, effective workplaces. LOTH, Inc. in Ohio recently completed the planning for its Grandview Work Studio in the Columbus location. Treating themselves as a customer, the LOTH team now has a new and inspiring place to call home – and help customers understand the importance of place.
The LOTH team decided early on in the process that humans needed to be at the center of the design. So, the team put themselves in the mindset of the customer and went through two days of user-group meetings called Discovery Days. They discussed what was and wasn’t working in their current space, and what they wanted to see change in the future to ensure an efficient and collaborative workspace. These sessions yielded three key insights that were vital to the project moving forward:
- Balance private work and collaboration
- Improve infrastructure of technology
- Leverage showroom as sales tool
“We want prospective clients to see how human-centered design can inspire creativity, learning and healing. By going through the process ourselves, we have more empathy for the customer in helping them realize their vision,” said Jason Lawler, President LOTH Columbus.
These insights helped shape the proposed floor plan into three distinct zones: hospitality, welcoming and positioning; insights and solutions; and choices and co-creation.
Once finalized, LOTH went through many iterations of drawing plans for which existing furnishings would go into each space. To learn more about the new work studio, check out this four-part video that LOTH produced detailing their process.
“It’s extremely rewarding when you become your own client. Congratulations and thank you to Jason and the entire LOTH team for their commitment to engaging in the process and investing in their space for greater collaboration and engagement,” said Jean-Marie Murphy, VP Steelcase Channel Development.
Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to follow us on social media. We will be ready to reveal the completed space this Spring!
Please contact us at 614.487.4000 to work with one of our Workplace Consultants to start making changes in your own workplace, educational institution or healthcare facility.
We also have a showroom headquarters in our Cincinnati location.