Families and Work Institute

Families and Work Institute
New York, New York
Case Study
Families and Work Institute (FWI), a nonprofit research organization
located in Lower Manhattan, takes on big issues—from learning to
generational differences to aging in America—to fulfill its mission
of creating new ways to live, learn, and work in today’s changing
world. The institute is strategic and results-driven, and committed to
excellence in providing research to live by for decades to come. When
FWI was seeking a new office space, it was their turn to become the
research subjects to help shape a work environment that addressed
the organization’s needs.
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FWI previously worked out of a space that was long and narrow,
hindering visibility for people who work together. Individual
workstations prevented the easy connections adjacent workers need
to communicate about projects. Daylight and access to window views
were blocked for a majority of the staff. There were few options for
meeting spaces and nowhere to hold social events. People had no
choice for getting away from their primary desk to do quiet work.
FWI desired a new space that would reduce costs, better support
evolving work, and reflect the learning from their own research on
worker health and well-being. It was important to choose a location
in the same neighborhood as the old one, so as not to disrupt
employees’ daily commute.
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With the help of a third party research analyst, Haworth
worked with FWI to conduct pre- and post-move surveys, as
well as interviews, to assess workspace quality and employee
behaviors. The purpose was to determine which design
features impact organizational outcomes. FWI staff rated the
overall environment; individual workspaces; meeting and
social spaces; and the ability to use technology. They provided
feedback on self-assessed individual performance, stress
symptoms, engagement, and well-being.
The staff also evaluated opportunities for sharing individual
workspace, since some people worked remotely during the
week. This strategy would help create more flexibility in the
work environment.
Families and Work Institute / 3.16
Collaborating with architect firm Tersigni Palachek and the
Haworth workplace research team, FWI took the opportunity
to redesign a space that supports the more mobile, social, and
collaborative workstyles of its staff. The new location, with its
view of the Empire State Building, was designed with offices on
the perimeter and collaborative spaces in the center, making it
easy for staff members to connect with each other.
The director’s office became a prime candidate for a multi-use
space, doubling as a conference room while she’s traveling. In
the reception area, benching serves as both a seating solution
and a place to lay out work. Smaller spaces were created for
unplanned casual meetings and larger open spaces offered
locations for social interactions.
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PERFORMANCE: With more adjustable furnishings
and better support for technology, the new space
also improved staff performance.
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support for technology through furniture design
influenced an improvement in overall wellbeing,
helping people feel both more relaxed and
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WELL-BEING: Support for focus work and better
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ENGAGEMENT: Improvements in staff engagement
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STRESS: Ratings for workspace design and aesthetics
were higher in the new space, and people reported
better quality of sleep (an indicator of lower stress),
which improved their ability to focus at work.
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A number of aspects of the overall quality of the work
environment were improved for FWI staff, helping to
reduce stress while improving engagement, wellbeing, and performance.
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FWI demonstrates how space design, when driven by research, has the power to help people work better. The new space also
better reflects the organization’s mission of creating new ways to live, learn, and work in today’s changing world.
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Customer Profile
Families and Work Institute (FWI) is a nonprofit center
dedicated to providing research for living in today’s
changing workplace, family, and community. Founded
in 1989, its work focuses on three major areas: the
workforce/workplace, youth, and early childhood. As a
preeminent think-tank, FWI is known for being ahead of
the curve, identifying emerging issues, then conducting
rigorous research to work, learn, and live by.
Architect/Design Firm
Tersigni Palachek, Palisades, NY
Photography
Chun Y Lai Photography
Haworth’s Integrated Palette includes Compose, Enclose, Patterns, Planes, Reside, Beside, and Belong.
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