I'm very into "PlaceMaking" at the moment, since we are working on Subtropical Cities 2008 - which is a conference all about urban design for subtropical climates. I had a meeting with the client yesterday where she was briefing the dinner speaker (Nick Earls! Love it) and talking all about what the conference was about, so I am inspired.
Being involved in this has made me think more and more about the spaces that we create, and occupy, day to day.
If your office is a mess (like mine is), it's not a very nice place to be. Wouldn't it be better to design spaces that fit with what you are trying to achieve?
I'm sure I'm not saying anything new here. Architects and interior designers have know this stuff for a long time.
We recently ran a conference called Green Roofs - which was all about, you guessed it, growing gardens on the roof. The people attending were all landscape architects and designers, as well as some bureaucrats - but mostly they were outdoorsy sort of people.
Unfortunately, because their dates were fixed, the ONLY conference venue we could find in Brisbane on those dates that suited their program, was a hotel where the conference space has no natural light at all. This was not a space that I would have chosen for this particular group, if I had have had a choice. By 3.00 pm they were all restless - desperately wanting to see some sunlight!
The Networx Events that we run monthly are always held in bars - the atmosphere that we want for these is relaxed and friendly - like you are having a drink with mates rather than networking. The music, the lighting, the layout of the room - all of this contributes to the atmosphere, and makes those events what they are.
I guess the moral is to pick a venue that suits your audience, and creates the atmosphere you are after. Common sense, really!
J ;-)
Iceberg Events - conference and events planners based in Brisbane but organising events anywhere