BCO ideas project: Cian Scanlon, Highly Commended

Featured on the BCO website, written by Eilidh Tuckett.

Cian Scanlon, Associate Architect at PDP London Architects, puts forth his idea for the future workplace in the form of ‘The Disconnected Office’. His experience in the architecture sector is on a global scale, encompassing Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Dublin to name a few. In 2018, he was shortlisted for the RIBAJ’s Rising Stars Award. Cian’s vision proposes a workplace that values physical interaction over digital connection and advocates for decreasing the pace of digital communication as a means to increase productivity, satisfaction and wellbeing.

The Disconnected Office

In the hybrid working age, digital ‘noise’ has become inescapable. The Disconnected Office offers an alternative — a digitally disconnected network of people brought together in a tailor-made physical environment. With hybrid working on the rise, the Disconnected Office provides a fundamentally different experience to working remotely encouraging staff to return to the workplace.

In 1930 John Maynard Keynes predicted that technological advances would enable us to work a 15-hour week. Unfortunately, that's not the case for most of us. At some point technology outran our ability to absorb it into our working patterns in a productive and healthy way. We spend an increasing amount of time clearing an increasing number of emails and notifications. We commute to the office to connect with colleagues working remotely. The immediacy demanded by apps for digital connection leave us little time for reflection, arguably impede our effective thinking, and sustained over long periods may negatively affect our mental health. The Disconnected Office aims to address these shortcomings by creating dedicated areas where staff can connect digitally, as an exception rather than the rule. This reduces invasive technological stimuli so staff can focus, minimise reactive work and reduce anxiety.

The Disconnected Office is 'pro-technology'. At the core of the idea is the selective and controlled use of technology to maximise productivity while optimising employee experience and wellbeing.

Part of removing the distraction of the digital network is to place the emphasis back on real-life connection. The lack of distraction will encourage and inspire staff to engage with each other and the wider community.