News
Some new news. We’re excited to introduce…
When you first meet him, his curiosity (and humility) are first to shine through. He’ll want to know about you, your context, and your story. He‘d never tell you he’s amassed industry awards and accolades for his work. Or that he’s been designing for giant brands and innovating in workplace environments for more than two decades.
And—it’s for these qualities (and many more) that we’re excited to introduce you to the newest principal architect at DELV, Eric J. Anderson.
This week, we sat down for a little Q&A where he shared more of his backstory (and why he’s obsessed with vintage motorcycles).
+ For more than a decade you’ve immersed yourself into the design of better workplaces. What drew you to this mission?
I’ve always been drawn to the influence that environments have on people. It’s why I became an architect; I wanted to use design to change the environment—and people’s lives—for the better. Workplace design is similar. All that time we spend in office environments comes with side effects, which aren’t always beneficial. I’ve spent more than a decade studying how better design can promotive behaviors, increase productivity, lower overhead costs, and improve mental health. Those things aren’t mutually exclusive! Architecture can change the way someone sees the world, or at least how they interact with it. Having that tangible impact on people’s lives is the thing that excites me most in the morning.
+ What’s one design challenge you’re tackling currently?
It’s what everyone is talking about—adapting the workplace for a post-pandemic world. The fundamental principles and tools that help organizations create modern, agile environments haven’t shifted. However, there are questions about physical safety that didn’t exist before. 2020’s sudden shift into a remote workforce has, by default, drawn attention to the physical environments where people work. Companies are starting to understand the effect workplace environments have on productivity and office culture. They’re also learning that mobility can work. But while mobility has its benefits, it can’t replace the social nature of the office; people need close interaction with other people. Just like viruses evolve or mutate, workplace environments should be able to adapt to changing business cultures and safety measures. It’s all a challenge, but one we can meet head-on.
I’d long been impressed by DELV’s work, but it was when I met everyone on the team that I realized how aligned our values are.
+ You’re an avid motorcyclist—what is it that draws you to motorcycling?
From a design perspective, motorcycling has two sides. One side is purely functional—the bike doesn’t run unless the carburetor is put together properly. Since I wade through numerous design options during the day, the singular path to motorcycle repair is a nice mental break. On the opposite side, I can flex my design skills and aesthetic sensibilities when modifying or building a custom bike. Outside of design, motorcycling has meditative qualities that are addictive. Since you’re so vulnerable on a bike, you have to focus on what you’re doing—on not dying. That focus pushes back everything else you might be thinking of; those things fade away. That’s what creates the addiction.
+What was it about DELV that made you interested in joining the team?
I’d long been impressed by DELV’s work, but when I met everyone on the team, I realized how aligned our values are. DELV’s emphasis on the design process resonated with me, and they truly understand their clients’ needs before starting to design a building or space. A successful project starts with defining the problem that needs to be solved, then using design to solve that problem. I was also interested in joining the team because of the studio model and culture. I saw an environment that fosters continuous learning and improvement, especially when it comes to design abilities. I’d hear them say they “lean into things,” and they definitely lean into smart growth.
It’s not a “hang on the wall value” but it’s always been an unspoken criteria that anyone on our studio team would need to have a low-ego threshold. After all, design isn’t about the designer.