Episode 14: Future Business

Fireside Chats with Empathic Futures Lab

Content provided by Empathic Futures Lab. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Empathic Futures Lab or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

7+ y ago 45:35

MP3•Episode home

In this episode, we delve into some ideas for the future of the business of architecture. As technology and culture progress towards this world of shared experiences and minimal costs to distribution and manufacturing, how does the nature of space, and who runs space, change? Are architects and their businesses on the right side of history?

(resources discussed are linked below)

We start by introducing the topic through a Sidewalk Labs "Sidewalk Talks" event and what was discussed there. Christian then introduces us to this idea of Megaforms and how businesses like WeWork and Sidewalk Labs can be compared to megaforms discussed by past theorists like ArchiGram's plug in city. We then briefly discuss how Sidewalk Labs could make money.

Perhaps the biggest chunk of this episode then discusses how WeWork leverages inefficiencies in the architectural business model in terms of how architects don't leverage the information at their disposal as well as tech companies do. Architecture firms also integrate towards construction but can a case be made to instead integrate towards experience instead?

What other sources of experience can we leverage? WeWork is expanding greatly, Sidewalk Labs is pushing towards Smart Cities, and there are opportunities in Brand Stragegy. What is next?

Resources below:

33 episodes

#Empathic Futures Lab #Arts #Graphic Design