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The Future of the Workplace, Powered by PechaKucha

Talk

Thursday 15 May 2025
18:15 - 20:15

Join this PechaKucha to explore the latest on workplace design, with an emphasis on research and projects that are dedicated to improving wellbeing and productivity.  
The office is no longer just a place to work. With flexible patterns of working now the norm, the purpose of the office is also to facilitate collaboration and a sense of belonging. This has resulted in fewer individual, fixed workplaces and more adaptable spaces to suit evolving worker needs. Wellbeing is also a growing priority, influencing how workplaces are designed to support employees both physically and mentally.  

This PechaKucha brings together architects and consultants at the forefront of workplace design, showcasing innovative projects that maximise flexibility, enhance wellbeing, and create spaces where workers can thrive. 
The projects highlighted in this PechaKucha also prioritise social and environmental sustainability. 

What role can the adaptive reuse of offices play in creating flexible workplaces for employees and clients? What are the benefits of mixed-use developments in connecting workspaces with local communities and economies?  

The format, Pecha Kucha (ペチャクチャ), was devised in Tokyo in 2003 by the English architect Mark Dytham and has turned into a massive global celebration of design, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of "chit chat", it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. The format makes presentations concise, keeps things moving at a rapid pace and holds its audience. 

Download Speaker Presentations

Sarah_Isaakidis-Impact_Hub.pdf
Anna_Tsoumi-Hilson_Moran.pdf
Gian_Cabanas-ElliottWood.pdf
Zineb_Lemseffer-Ben_Adams_Architects.pdf
Vibushan_Thirkumar-Oru_Space.pdf
Adam_Phillips-Gensler.pdf
Anthtony_Dicken-Hassell.pdf

This content is only available to NLA members.

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Programme

18:15  
Arrivals 
 
18:40 
Welcome from Chair
Federico Ortiz, Head of Programme, NLA
          
18:45
Fostering collaboration and wellbeing: Baker McKenzie London
Anthony Dickens, Principal, Hassell 

18:52
Stitching together heritage and flexibility: Grainhouse
Gian Cabanas, Structural Engineer, ElliottWood
 
18:59
A platform for experimentation: Living Lab
Anna Tsoumi, Associate Director, Hilson Moran 
 
19:06
Adapting for the future: Henry Wood House 
Zineb Lemseffer, Architect, Ben Adams Architects 
 
19:13
Nurturing diverse communities through mixed-use: Oru Space
Vibushan Thirukumar, CEO & Co-Founder, Oru Space 
 
19:20
Emerging patterns of work: Edelman’s Francis House 
Adam Phillips, Senior Associate, Gensler 
 
19:27
Lively community-led spaces: Impact Hub, London Euston
Sarah Isaakidis, Co-CEO, Impact Hub

19:34
Promoting cohesion in Stratford's regeneration: S10
Rebecca Sawcer, Project Architect, Waugh Thistleton 

19:41
Networking
 
20:15 
End

Speaker biographies

Adam Phillips

Senior Associate, European Financial Services Practice Area Leader, Gensler

Gian Cabanas

Structural Engineer, Elliott Wood

Rebecca Sawcer

Associate, Waugh Thistleton Architects

Sarah Isaakidis

CEO, Impact Hub London

Anthony Dickens

Principal, Hassell

Zineb Lemseffer

Architect, Ben Adams Architects

Vibushan Thirkumar

CEO and Co-Founder, Oru

Anna Tsoumi

Associate Director, Hilson Moran

Federico Ortiz

Associate Director, NLA

Work

#NLAWork

Venue

The London Centre
3 Aldermanbury
London
EC2V 7HH

accessibility

There are 4 steps to the main entrance, with a level access entrance via the Guildhall West Wing approximately 200 feet away. There are toilets and accessible toilets via stairs or a lift to the lower ground floor. If you would like more information, or have any access requirements, please let us know what these are and how we can best accommodate these by emailing events@nla.london.

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