WELLNESS FOR PEACE IN WORKPLACES: Generative Work Space must foster Human Dignity, Comfort, Creativity & Collaboration

The idea of Generative Space was developed just over a decade ago and is emerging as a best practice design approach. Possibly its greatest area of influence is in healthcare facility design. Not only are the functional requirements of a space considered, the approach elevates the experience of the people who occupy the space. For a space to be generative, it must foster human dignity, comfort, creativity and collaboration – and actually improve over time. Places where people work, or live, or congregate for public purposes can all be designed to be generative spaces. In conjunction with the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo, being held at Navy Pier, September 29 - October 2nd, The CARITAS Project (a not for profit dedicated to transform healthcare delivery by incorporating generative space principles in facilities design) will be coordinating special tours at three downtown locations Thursday, October 2nd, from 4:00-5:30 pm. Each tour has been developed to give people a taste of generative space design principles and, ideally, become engaged in nurturing the growth of generative designs in their workplaces, healthcare institutions, homes and communities. Tour 1: Gensler’s Chicago Loop Office. Ranked the top architectural firm worldwide, this tour will showcase projects produced by the firm’s health and wellness design practice team and provide a great example of what it’s like to work in an environment designed to be a generative space. A great opportunity for people interested in architecture, design, organizational cultures, and healthcare. Tour 2: Health Walking Tour in Millennium Park. One of Chicago’s most popular destinations reflects core generative space principles. This tour will feature experiences and discussions on how the park satisfies both private and public interests. A chance to become more aware of why this is one of the great public spaces in the world. Tour 3: A Generative Space Tour of the Humanscale’s Mart Showroom. One of the world’s leading manufacturers of ergonomic designs, this tour will focus on products that were developed specifically for healthcare applications; to improve the lives of patients, practitioners and caregivers. An unusual opportunity to see how healthcare delivery can be. There will be no charge for any of these tours although the size of each tour will be limited. For additional information and to register, please go to http://www.eventbrite.com/e/generative-space-week-tours-tickets-13058066027 Registration opens 9/20/14. For information on the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo, visit http://www.hcarefacilities.com/ and for information on The CARITAS Project, visit http://www.thecaritasproject.info . About Generative Space's Pioneer Dr. Wayne Ruga is actively engaged in working with global leaders to build a better world with a new approach to design that Ruga has pioneered, called "generative space". By learning and practicing this approach, it becomes possible to make places for individuals, organizations, and communities to flourish. (source: Harvard Graduate School of Design) http://www.chicagonow.com/arch-x-perience/2014/09/experience-the-transformative-power-of-generative-space/