Design Forecast 2016

Gensler Design Forecast 2016
Not-for-Profit
Making the mission more
visible and transparent
opposite: City of Hope Rivergrade Office,
Irwindale, CA
below: American Psychological Association
Headquarters, Washington, DC
As the public sector leans on not-for-profits
to fill gaps in its own services, the challenge
of handling the increased load can prompt
their consolidation and new partnerships.
Shared facilities is one solution, comparable
to the way holding companies collocate
individual brands that share supports and
amenities, but keep their individual identity.
Coworking spaces is another option—and a
way to increase collaboration and innovation.
To attract talent with limited resources, notfor-profits
are making their reason-for-being
more visible and personally empowering.
The example of startups is relevant, given
their “on-a-mission” cultures and work
settings that telegraph purpose. The design
implications of this connection between
culture and place are real and important,
as scrutiny from donors and the media
goes with the not-for-profit territory. Bad
publicity can disrupt funding and hamper
missions, so the transparency of their
operations is essential and needs to be
reflected in the design of the workplace.
Buildings and settings that welcome
community involvement are also valued, not
least because donors favor not-for-profits
with strong grassroots.
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