When we work with intent, we focus on the best possible outcomes.

But are we all on the same page about defining the best possible output for architects, designers and others in the built environment industries – especially in light of the climate crisis and the urgent need for truly sustainable development?

Pixel Factory for Hyundai Card in Seoul by Gensler. The space encourages real-world collaboration among digital natives. Photo by Nacasa & Partners (courtesy of Gensler).

And when it comes to the workspaces we design and occupy, what are the leading strategies for high performance – and beyond that, the enjoyment of work? It’s worth asking in an era when the barriers between work life and personal life are becoming ever more slight.

MISTLETOE OF TOKYO by DDAA. It was designed as a perpetually unfinished ‘serendipity generator’ for startups. Photography by Kenta Hasegawa.

Taking things a step further, can the office do more than support the fulfilment of day-to-day tasks, and play a part in something bigger? Could it even deliver meaningfully toward generating a ‘greater good’?

Hong Kong-based architect Marisa Yiu (Partner at ESKYIU and Executive Director of Design Trust) discusses design’s power to make positive change. Photo of Yiu at ESKYIU by Tracy Wong.

This issue, Working With Intent, is a wide-reaching investigation into how, why and where we work. Some of the threads of investigations in this issue include:

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Admirable efforts to shift the conversation about sustainable design.

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Designers’ willingness and agency to create more sustainable outcomes.

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The pursuit of design that can make a positive change in society.

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Working environments that have rewarding effects far beyond the immediate interests of the companies or institutions within them.

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Dr Hossein Rezai, Founder & Director of Web Structures. As an advocate for sustainable design and building, he was recently instrumental in bringing the #ConstructionDeclares movement to Singapore. Photo by Khoo Guo Jie.

As we embark on 2020, we at Indesign Media Asia Pacific have a big year ahead. This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the regional publishing company, and among other initiatives, we’ll mark that milestone with a special focus on Best of the Decade projects in our annual INDE.Awards.

If you haven’t already, do head to indeawards.com to start your entries and join us to celebrate the best of the Indo-Pacific region! Entries close on 21 February 2020.

Project 13 by STUDIO WILLS + Architects won The Living Space category of the INDE.Awards 2019. A 30-year-old HDB flat was given rejuvenating impact with a pivot in use. Photo by Finbarr Fallon (courtesy of STUDIO WILLS).

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Enter your most progressive work in the INDE.Awards 2020 via indeawards.com before 21 February!

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Are designers lazy when it comes to sustainability? We recap the Saturday Indesign 2019 Debate. Photo by Vernon Wong.