Articulating Spaces That Help Users Thrive

Cheval: “Regardless of whether you are designing for commercial or residential spaces, the most important thing is to be thoughtful about the impact of the environment that is being created.”

IRVINE, CA—Organizations should actively support the idea of well-being and understand the connection between wellness and business success, Ware Malcomb ‘s newly appointed director of interior architecture and design Mary Cheval tells GlobeSt.com. We spoke exclusively with Cheval after the announcement of her appointment about her new role and how interior architecture and design are changing. GlobeSt.com: What are your goals in your new role with Ware Malcomb ?   Cheval: Ware Malcomb has a great reputation in the market. I am excited to help expand on the firm’s success by extending our services to new clients with an emphasis on creative, client-centric design. GlobeSt.com: How are interior architecture and design changing as commercial tastes are changing (i.e., more collaborative space, in-house amenities, companies looking to attract and retain Millennials)? Cheval: Creative office, including alternative workplace strategy, continues to be an important trend. These spaces are characterized by a more collaborative, flexible, amenity-rich space. It is becoming increasingly important to design for sustainability and well-being in the workplace. The work environment can have a tremendous influence on our personal well-being, and we need to articulate spaces that actually help users thrive. Organizations should actively support the idea of well-being and understand the connection between wellness and business success. GlobeSt.com: How are these elements changing in the multifamily and residential spaces as these spaces are built to attract Millennials and empty-nesters? Cheval: Regardless of whether you are designing for commercial or residential spaces, the most important thing is to be thoughtful about the impact of the environment that is being created. Even though Ware Malcomb’s focus is primarily corporate and commercial design, there is an opportunity to understand the connections between home and the workplace. Workers are increasingly knowledge-based, and our built environments should support the critical integration of work and home. GlobeSt.com: What else should our readers know about interior architecture and design? Cheval: Employee engagement is increasingly crucial to a company’s bottom line. It is no longer a matter of simply designing a creative space. Instead, it is imperative that we create an experience that truly engages the employee, customer or visitor and conveys the organization’s culture in a clear and authentic way. With developers leveraging development and redevelopment opportunities across all property types, how can you capitalize on this activity? Join us  at RealShare Orange County on August 16^th for impactful information from the leaders in Orange County CRE. Learn more .