Research Project

CONNECT: Collaborative Office Network for Navigating Empowerment, Creativity, and Transformation

Research Team

Lead Researchers:

Nasrin Golshany (Evidence-Based Design and Occupant Wellbeing)
Hessam Ghamari (Environmental Psychology and Human-Centered Design)
Bingbing Li (Sustainability, Digital Twin and Multimodal Data Fusion for Autonomous System)
Shawn Sun (Sustainable Construction and Structural Health Monitoring)
Thang Le (Earthquake Engineering and Building Materials)
Nhut Ho (Systems Engineering and Autonomy)

Collaborators:

Tom De Smet (Project Management and Utility Construction)
Maria Sison-Roces (Sustainability and Energy Efficiency)
LADWP

Student Team:

Funding

Funding Organization:
Funding Program:

SYNOPSIS

LADWP WorkHub enhances employee productivity and well-being through innovative workspace design.
Benchmark Study evaluates LADWP’s WorkHub for its efficiency, employee satisfaction, and sustainability.
A generalizable WorkHub-based workspace model will be created, incorporating best practices and cutting-edge technologies.

Abstract

Rooted in environmental psychology and human-centered design, this study emphasizes the importance of increasing connectedness and reducing institutional feel in teleworking environments to foster collaboration and productivity. Our research study, focused on the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), aims to reimagine collaborative workspaces and promote cohesive, adaptable work practices tailored to a hybrid work model.

Employing a mixed-methods approach, we will assess the current workspace prototype using self-reported, observational, sensory, and analytics data. Insights gained from this evaluation will guide the development of a comprehensive framework for collaborative workhubs, incorporating both virtual and physical elements. This framework will be applied to reimagine future work environments through ideation, prototyping, and iterative improvements, aligned with LADWP’s Strategic Plan goals.

Our goal is to develop a scalable, data-informed model that supports connection, innovation, and long-term adaptability in teleworking environments, with potential applications across diverse organizational settings.

Motivation/Research Problem

In the dynamic shift towards hybrid and telework environments, large organizations, such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), face significant challenges in maintaining connectivity, collaboration, and cohesive team dynamics. While telework enhances flexibility, it often exacerbates issues of isolation, limited engagement, and reduced cross-departmental collaboration, impeding innovation. LADWP’s commitment to strengthening employee connections aligns with the broader organizational goal to integrate sustainable and resilient work environments that adapt to changing needs.

Building on insights from LADWP’s strategic plan and discussions with LADWP stakeholders, this research seeks to address these challenges by evaluating the current teleworking prototype, pinpointing barriers to team cohesion, and developing adaptable solutions. Through a research-informed framework, this study aims to establish a scalable model for hybrid workspaces that optimally blend physical and virtual elements, promoting productivity, well-being, and effective collaboration in diverse organizational structures. The outcomes have the potential to serve as a model for future hybrid workspaces, ultimately fostering more integrated and adaptive work cultures.

Research Questions and Research Objectives

Research Questions

How can workplace design interventions improve employee satisfaction, productivity, and sense of belonging in hybrid work environments?
What strategies can be employed to optimize space utilization and enhance indoor environmental quality in the WorkHub?
In what ways can the WorkHub initiative support LADWP’s sustainability goals while integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion?

Research Objectives

Enhance Employee Experience: Increase satisfaction, productivity, and connectivity to foster a stronger sense of belonging among employees, guided by evidence-based and human-centered design principles.
Optimize Space and Indoor Quality: Develop and implement strategies for effective space utilization and improved indoor environmental quality, leveraging evidence-based insights to create supportive and adaptable workspaces.
Promote Sustainability and Inclusivity: Support sustainability targets while embedding principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the WorkHub initiative, ensuring that design solutions are informed by data and tailored to meet diverse user needs.

Research Methods

The project will implement a structured three-phase approach to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of LADWP’s WorkHub.

Phase 1: Benchmark Study 
This phase involves a comprehensive evaluation of the WorkHub to assess its effectiveness in enhancing employee connectivity and reducing silos, aligned with LADWP’s mission of innovative and reliable service delivery. Research methods will include self-reported surveys, observational studies, sensory feedback, and data analytics to measure employee satisfaction, productivity, collaboration, and comfort. The data collected will focus on various metrics, including indoor environmental quality (IEQ) factors and sustainability benefits such as reduced commuting and lower emissions.

Phase 2: LADWP-Specific Model Development
This phase aims to create a scalable model for optimizing internal structures and communication. Insights from Phase 1 will inform data collection on key communication strategies and workforce diversity, ultimately leading to a flexible model tailored for public utility organizations.

Phase 3: Generalizable Workspace Model
In this phase, a comprehensive Workspace Model will be developed, incorporating design guidelines for enhancing connectivity and productivity. This model will leverage advanced technologies like AI and IoT, synthesizing insights from earlier phases to promote innovation and engagement in future work environments.

Research Results and Deliverables

Enhanced Employee Experience: Increase satisfaction and productivity in the WorkHub, fostering a sense of belonging.
Optimized Space Utilization: Develop strategies for effective space use that support hybrid working models and team connectivity.
Improved Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ): Identify strategies to enhance air quality, lighting, and comfort, positively affecting employee health and performance.
Diversity and Inclusivity Integration: Recommend establishing a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) model to prioritize equity and collaboration.
Sustainability Benefits: Report on reduced commuting, emissions, and office waste, supporting LADWP’s environmental goals.
Model Development and Scalability: Create a scalable model for public utility organizations, offering guidelines for future hybrid workspace design.

Commercialization Opportunities

Enhance productivity and employee well-being through customized hybrid WorkHub designs that integrate scalable workspace solutions and smart technologies.
Facilitate real-time workplace management using AI, IoT, and smart collaboration tools to optimize organizational efficiency and employee engagement.
Target public utility organizations, corporate offices, educational institutions, and co-working spaces to drive adoption of innovative workspace solutions that meet evolving needs.

Research Timeline

Start Date: November 2024
End Date: TBD