Designing Healthy Spaces with Teknion

"Is Your Workplace Making You Sick?"

Two weeks ago, I was hired to photograph a panel discussion for Teknion at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The night's theme was "Is Your Workplace Making You Sick?" and was also sponsored by the IIDA, International Interior Design Association and the super cool magazine Metropolis.

At the studio, we are big fans of Scandinavian simplicity in design and ergonomics, and Teknion specializes in similarly sleek office systems and furniture products. So I was really looking forward to hearing the panel discussion and photographing the evening.

The panelists were absolutely fascinating, discussing topics ranging from how sitting and air quality affect our health to the meaning of an "active workplace". The discussion was moderated by the Editor of Metropolis, Susan S. Szenasy.

The invited panelists were: Joanna Frank, Director of Active Design for the NYC Department of Design and Construction; Joan Blumenfeld, Global Interior Design Director at Perkins & Will; Dr. Karen Lee, Director of Built Environment at the NYC Department of Health; and Sue Schmidt, Senior Principle Well-Being Design at Healthways.

In keeping with the theme, Teknion also gave out little pedometers that everyone could take home. We're all taking steps to design healthier workplaces.