Interview with Milagros Irastorza: the office, a revolution of experiences

Milagros Irastorza is an architect and founder of MIA Works, a studio specialized in corporate and commercial architecture, whose vision has conquered giants such as Mercado Libre, Despegar, IRSA, Arcos Dorados and Google. How do you see the transformation of workspaces and what changes do companies need to adopt in order to stay relevant?

How did the way we design, think about and inhabit workspaces change after the pandemic? What do companies need to do to make people want to return to the office?

The pandemic did not change the way we work or change spaces with something new, but rather accelerated changes that had been coming for some time. Technology was making them possible, but not all companies were encouraged to apply them. When the pandemic passed, we all resisted the idea of going back to the office, but we went outside: we can work in a café, in an airport or from vacation.

There is a concept that I like and that is that a company is not an office, it is not what happens within four walls: it is the people, wherever they are. Today people are more awake and demanding, they come back to the office with a purpose. To meet with others, to live a different experience, to attend an event or a general meeting. In addition to being beautiful and attractive, offices need to focus on the experience, on people’s needs and tastes. The spaces have to be healthy, inclusive, open… they have to enhance the virtues of presence and not become cybercafés.

What is biophilia applied to corporate architecture? What benefits does it provide in work environments?

Biophilia is not just about putting plants everywhere, but about designing with nature’s concepts in mind: a more organic, more intuitive environment, more prepared for change. Natural light, views and the use of natural, simple and authentic materials…, that’s part of wellness. In the past, the focus of companies was on optimizing costs and space. Nowadays, it is valued to have quality in the space; maybe to go to the office less, but to be comfortable and cared for.

The only thing we know for sure is that everything can change. Instead of unitary positions, think of “neighborhoods” where each one has an area with living rooms, concentration spaces and customized tools. There is no longer any point to assigned desks when they are empty four times a week.

How does this concept of designing with change in mind, or life-centered design, manifest itself in workspaces?

When you design, you design a space that will be appropriated by users. A successful design is one that people begin to customize or adapt to the use of each moment.

I am interested in thinking of offices as hubs of connection. Today, a company’s people are a totally distributed workforce, and the office is the connection point where culture is transmitted, events are held and people meet. Maybe, instead of having many meters in one place, a company is going to have proximity offices or coworking in each neighborhood and use the main office for events or special situations. Several companies are rethinking their head office from a more collaborative and meeting place.

According to Bruce Mau, designer and innovator, design is leadership when it inspires behavior. In what ways can architecture inspire change in society?

Good design always inspires. If you feel comfortable in a place and have the right tools to enhance your skills, you will bring out the best in yourself.

On the other hand, I think offices need to open their doors and let the street in a bit, be more aware of their surroundings. Today, people demand companies to have a purpose that goes beyond pure profitability: to be sustainable, inclusive, to take care of their employees, but also to have a positive impact on society. They could create an open situation, enhance a public space or generate urban experiences that happen inside the office.

What is the place of sustainability in the workplace? What measures are carried out from architecture and design?

It is no longer possible to think of design without sustainability criteria. One of them is the choice of materials: that they have been recycled, that they are certified, that their origin is known. Use local materials or promote local trades. We must also be aware of how to handle them on site, so as to intervene as little as possible to prolong their useful life in other recycling cycles.

When it comes to design, how much do trends influence your work? How do you achieve a balance between design and the client’s brand identity?

More than trends, one has to be very attentive to what is happening in the world. But the most important thing is to know your customer and the culture of that company in depth. This way, the design will be authentic and will work better. Only then do I propose trends. I always try to make them a little uncomfortable. One has to make oneself uncomfortable, change one’s point of view and encourage oneself to think differently. Different visions make the richness of a design.

Milagros Irastorza studied architecture at the University of Belgrano and has a postgraduate degree in Marketing. In 2001, he opened his own studio and specialized in providing services related to corporate architecture for national and international companies. Its focus is on innovation and excellence in design, seeking to generate new trends and uniqueness in each job.