“We opened space not long ago with the intention of working with corporations that believe that space makes a difference. Our passion has always been design and architecture.”
Founded by Mexican architect Juan Carlos Baumgartner in 1999, SPACE is a well-known architectural firm. Under his guidance, the firm has gained a reputation for its commitment to the environment and for developing sustainable projects. This dedication has led Juan and his team to receive the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification from the US Green Building Council. Started in Chicago, the firm currently has its biggest office and headquarters at Mexico City.
Merging Architecture with Behavioral Science
SPACE was born from the vision of creating an architecture firm focused on designing spaces that can change people’s lives. From the start, the firm worked closely with environmental psychologists and, more than ten years ago, began collaborating with neuroscientists. The firm believes that the built environment can influence people’s minds, and if spaces are thoughtfully planned and designed, they can help individuals thrive. Since its inception, SPACE has developed unique design methods that combine psychology, behavioral sciences, and neuroscience.
The Fusion of People, Technology, and Design
With the aim of being the best rather than the biggest, SPACE has built an interdisciplinary team of dedicated and talented professionals. The firm recognizes the importance of research and technological development and has incorporated these elements into its unique approach to work. SPACE constantly seeks sustainable solutions that respect the environment and enhance the surroundings. The firm believes that when considering people, technology, and space together, ideas can develop more quickly. To achieve this, it blends smart individuals with advanced technologies into intelligent spaces.
SPACE has established various areas of expertise, including corporate architecture, interior and exterior design, hospitality, commercial architecture, retail spaces, shopping centers, and residential architecture, among others.
The team understands that great solutions begin from within, whether dealing with a small space, a large building, a campus, a hotel, offices, stores, or a housing development. This principle forms the core of their professional philosophy: design from the inside out.
Services the Firm Offers
- Interiors
- Architecture
- Research
- Change Management
- Sustainability and Wellness
- Social
The Organizational Model
From the start, SPACE recognized that the traditional hierarchical structure of architecture firms was outdated for its goals. As a result, SPACE operates as a highly horizontal organization with no strict hierarchies. It consists of 14 design studios, each managed similarly to a small design firm. This structure allows SPACE to enjoy the agility of a small firm while benefiting from the strength of an international company.
Designing for People
Throughout its history, SPACE has received more than 140 international design awards. While this achievement brings pride, it is not the main focus of the firm. Instead, SPACE is more interested in having satisfied clients and helping them improve their lives in meaningful ways, rather than solely pursuing design accolades.
What is clear to the firm today is that client satisfaction and recognition are not mutually exclusive. However, SPACE always prioritizes the client and the human experience at the center of its work.
Recent Projects
Recently, SPACE completed the new Scotiabank office headquarters in Mexico City, located in what is arguably the best corner of the city. This project involved transforming a building that had been in use for several decades into a contemporary, sustainable, and innovative structure.
In the field of healthcare architecture, SPACE is currently designing the Libertad Hospital. This project incorporates elements of neuroarchitecture to enhance the well-being of patients and staff. Additionally, SPACE is working on an urban master plan in Arizona, where the same evidence-based design principles are applied, but on a much larger scale.
The Vision for Positive Change
The team at SPACE has always believed in the transformative power of space – the ability to change lives and improve society as a whole. They understand that design and space can have a positive impact on the consumers. To achieve this, it is essential to view the world in an interdisciplinary way and to ask the right questions.
An innovative spirit has always been part of the firm’s identity. SPACE collaborates with some of the most forward-thinking companies in the world, which challenges the team to constantly re-evaluate their processes and methodologies, and to remain open to learning each day.
Although SPACE is one of the largest design firms in Latin America, it maintains a compact structure that is closely aligned with the values of Juan, who is naturally curious and an innovative leader. Additionally, Juan has built a talented team that includes architects, designers, a philosopher, a psychologist, and even a branding expert.
How Evidence-Based Design Enhances Human Experience
SPACE has taken the lead in implementing evidence-based design practices. This approach involves creating buildings and environments based on scientific research to achieve the best possible outcomes for users. It is particularly significant in today’s design landscape because it moves away from relying solely on personal experiences or random choices in design.
Often, design decisions can be based on anecdotes or seem arbitrary. However, understanding that each design choice influences human behavior and cognitive processes makes it clear that such decisions should not be taken lightly. Making random choices can be irresponsible, especially when the effects on people’s lives are at stake.
In the past two decades, science has produced more insights into how our nervous system, brain, and memory function than in the previous 2000 years combined. If the goal is to center designs around human needs, architects and designers must put in considerable effort to grasp this new knowledge. They need to understand what it means to be human and how their designs can have real, tangible effects on people’s lives. By doing so, they can create spaces that truly enhance the well-being and experiences of those who inhabit them.
The Role of Change Management at the Firm
SPACE has several areas of expertise in interior design, including corporate design, hospitality, educational environments, healthcare design, and various types of exterior architecture. When working on corporate spaces, it is common for clients to seek a new office layout, and to use the space as a tool for organizational change. However, this can often lead to stress within the organization.
To assist clients in managing these changes, SPACE developed a change management methodology that actively involves users in the process. This approach helps make the transition smoother and less challenging for everyone involved.
Some benefits of Change Management are:
- Cost reduction
- Takes care of and increases health
- Integrates the organization
- Promotes innovation
- Takes care of productivity
- Generates commitment
- Creates communication channels
- Develops leadership
- Reduces stress levels
Engagement with Non-Architectural Organizations
The firm recognized that there were institutions outside of architecture, like Harvard, MIT, and various neuroscience labs, conducting research closely aligned with its own interests. As a result, SPACE began collaborating with many of these institutions, participating in training programs and engaging in more complex partnerships.
For SPACE, working in an interdisciplinary manner means collaborating with organizations that do not focus solely on design or architecture. This approach enriches the knowledge within the firm on multiple levels, ultimately enhancing its design perspective. Some of these collaborative efforts have even developed into TED talks, showcasing the valuable insights gained through these partnerships.
25-Year Vision for Leadership and Growth
The firm has been developing a strategy for the next 25 years, focusing on providing the next generation of leadership at SPACE and achieving rapid growth in Latin America. The firm believes it offers a unique and valuable option in the region, while also recognizing the specific challenges that each country in LATAM presents.
To grow in the region, SPACE prioritizes building alliances and partnerships rather than approaching them like outdated conquerors. For over a decade, the firm has established a global network of design firms that share similar values and beliefs, enabling them to provide intelligent solutions to clients, whether in Seattle or Patagonia. In the United States, SPACE formed a partnership with Interior Architects, the largest interior design firm in the world. Likewise, in each country or region of Latin America, SPACE has been building a network of talented and creative designers.
Integrating Sustainability, Technology, and Human-Centric Design
To effectively combine sustainability, technology, and human-centric design in its projects, SPACE believes in two key ideas. First, while human beings are skilled at answering questions, they often struggle to articulate the right questions. As a result, the firm focuses daily on improving its ability to ask better questions.
Second, SPACE is almost obsessive about its methodologies, which are always growing processes. These methodologies are designed to be interdisciplinary from the start, ensuring that high-quality results can be consistently replicated across all projects.
The Dream of Architecture as a Human Experience
Juan believes that his legacy is not defined by the projects he has completed, but rather by his ability to convey the transformative power of SPACE. His dream is for the firm to gain enough knowledge and tools to use architecture as a means of healing in the future.
To achieve this, it is essential to first change how designers themselves perceive architecture. If Juan can help provide this new understanding, he sees it as his legacy. He aims to shift the perspective from viewing architecture as merely an object or a separate space to recognizing it as an extension of the human experience. He believes that everything built influences us in return and that we are all part of the space we create.
Key Takeaways from SPACE’s Successful Establishment
- SPACE prioritizes the well-being and experience of people in its designs. It combines architecture, psychology, and neuroscience to create spaces that positively impact people’s lives.
- SPACE believes in the power of collaboration. It works with experts from various fields, including environmental psychologists, neuroscientists, and technology specialists, to create innovative and sustainable solutions.
- SPACE uses scientific research to inform its design decisions. This approach ensures that its designs are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and effective.
- SPACE is committed to creating sustainable buildings and environments. It incorporates eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies into its projects.
- SPACE believes that architecture can have a profound impact on people’s lives. It strives to create spaces that inspire, motivate, and enhance the overall human experience.
Company Overview –
| Company Name | SPACE |
| Company Headquarters | Chicago |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Featured Person | Juan Carlos Baumgartner, Founder |
| Featured Person’s LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jubaumgartner/?originalSubdomain=mx |
| Company URL | https://spacemex.com/ |
