Herman Miller

In collaboration with biologist Dimitri Smirnoff and systems engineer Richard Fisher we were given a challenge by Herman Miller: How would nature design an open plan workspace? Using Biomimicry and Design thinking, we focused on direct and indirect lighting challenges in an open workspaces.

We did a deep dive into scientific papers and looking for biological models in How would nature modify light? We then conducted a brainstorm session with Herman Miller to explore potential project avenues for this to be applied in the real world. After gathering factors for real implementation, we went back to the drawing board to then translate and bridge the literature into design principles for the creation phase to follow. We also outlined other fields of opportunities that our biological deep dive could inspire. Below are snapshots of our process and results.