The Office of Good Intentions. Human(s) Work

Architecture and the American Office: Stories and Speculations on Office Space

Architects Florian Idenburg and LeeAnn Suen delve into the evolution of American office spaces in this engaging exploration of objects, systems, and buildings shaping work environments since the internet’s advent. Through twelve essays and photographic reports by Iwan Baan, the book examines themes like work clubs, corporate festivals, charismatic leadership, and the playful design of modern workplaces.

Iconic projects such as Frank O. Gehry’s creative spaces and Marcel Breuer’s IBM campus are paired with experimental catalogs of workplace products and speculative designs, bridging reality and imagined futures. This thought-provoking guide offers insights for architects, business leaders, and employees, tracing the shift from traditional work to innovative, adaptive “playbor” environments.