Schmidt Hammer Lassen's Sanne Wall-Gremstrup on human behaviour and data-driven design
by Stu Robarts | 18 Dec 2019
We're just scratching the surface on all the technology components entering into the design field. It’s tremendously exciting.
– Sanne Wall-Gremstrup
– Sanne Wall-Gremstrup
When Perkins and Will (PW) bought Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) last year, it knew it was getting the Danish firm's expertise in human-centred design. SHL's managing director Sanne Wall-Gremstrup told CLAD that's only going to improve.
"It’s always been core to us to take a hard look at human behaviour," she explained. "We are constantly looking for ways to improve our understanding of how people and spaces coexist, as it drives productivity, joy and health."
Tracking and gathering that sort of data has become easier over time as the technology for doing so has improved, but it's something that Wall-Gremstrup says SHL has been able to accelerate further under PW's ownership.
"We're currently involved in projects where we’re making use of advanced sensors in our pursuit to learn more about how people use buildings. We used to simulate it, but now, sensors empower us to explore things in real-time with real data."
"As an example, in the common spaces of libraries, we can tell if people are concentrated or stressed. When stress arrives we can offset this through, say, reshuffling interiors and work processes. Then we validate the prototype, and if it works, we stick with it and capture the learning, and if it doesn’t, we’ll try something different. It allows us a life more in beta, always dynamically testing and pursuing perfection at a very different cost picture than it used to be."
As did PW's CEO Phil Harrison when we spoke to him, Wall-Gremstrup gave the example of the Dokk1 project in Aarhus, Denmark, with the firm exploring the impact of its architecture on the experience of the library's users.
For the ongoing Monroe Blocks masterplanning project, meanwhile, it has been using factors like energy performance, daylight and people-flow simulations to understand potential massing and to inform elements like the location of entrances and lift capacities.
And, for the Seaport World Trade Center, it has been using weather scenario simulations to assess site resiliency and how to adequately protect the building against extreme sea-level rises.
"We're just scratching the surface on all the technology components entering into the design field, said Wall-Gremstrup. "It’s tremendously exciting and we’re going to learn much more about building materials, upcycling, recycling, intelligent lighting, energy consumption and how to deliver sustainability goals etcetera.
"We can use these insights to fuel our essential belief that quality architecture enhances people’s lives. Now, it’s smarter, faster and comes at a lower cost. It’s not that everything becomes scientific, it’s more that our creative decisions become better informed."
You can also read our interview with Phil Harrison, CEO of Perkins and Will, in which he talks about Schmidt Hammer Lassen and human-centred design.
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Perkins and Will
Dokk1 is located in Aarhus, Denmark Credit: Jens Marcus Lindhe
Schmidt Hammer Lassen are exploring the impact of Dokk1's architecture on the experience of ita users Credit: Adam Mørk for Schmidt Hammer Lassen
Dokk1 combines a library, city admin functions, pre-school facilities and an arts and culture venue Credit: Adam Mørk for Schmidt Hammer Lassen
The Monrow Blocks project is a mix of office, retail and residential space Credit: Hayes Davidson
Schmidt Hammer Lassen have been using factors like energy performance, daylight and people-flow simulations to inform the design of Monrow Blocks Credit: Forbes Massie Studio
The research is helping them to understand massing and position elements like entrances Credit: Schmidt Hammer Lassen
The Seaport World Trade Center is a hotel and conference centre complex located on Boston's waterfront Credit: Cityscape Digital for Pembroke
Schmidt Hammer Lassen are using weather scenario simulations to assess site resiliency and protect against sea-level rises Credit: Cityscape Digital for Pembroke
16 Dec 2019
Perkins and Will CEO Phil Harrison talks Schmidt Hammer Lassen and human-centred design
24 Jan 2018
Schmidt Hammer Lassen join Perkins+Will in strategic partnership
When Perkins and Will (PW) bought Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) last year, it knew it was getting the Danish firm's expertise in human-centred design. SHL's managing director Sanne Wall-Gremstrup told CLAD that's only going to improve. "It’s always been core to us to take a hard look at human behaviour," she explained. "We are constantly looking for ways to improve our understanding of how people and spaces coexist, as it
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