Design Development 167: Liz von Goeler, Principal of Interior Design at Sasaki
Liz von Goeler is a Principal of Interior Design at Sasaki, a globally recognized design firm shaping environments for more than 75 years. With over 25 years of experience, she has led high-profile workplace, lobby repositioning, retail, restaurant, and multifamily projects for brands including Toast, PepsiCo, and Microsoft.
Liz approaches every project with people at the center. She aligns space with brand and desired experience through an iterative, highly collaborative process tailored to each client’s goals. Grounded in how teams actually work, she designs offices that foster interaction and deliver functional, flexible environments built to last and remembered long after the first impression.
The discussion begins with Liz's commitment to creating spaces that maximize both employee satisfaction and client needs, reflecting trends that resonate post-pandemic, where workplace environments are constantly evolving. The conversation further explores Sasaki's innovative approach to interior design, including the firm's philosophy and strategies for nurturing a collaborative and multidisciplinary workplace environment. The episode provides a deep dive into Sasaki’s methodologies for office space conversions, the importance of adaptive design in corporate settings, and the complexities of navigating large-scale transformations in built environments.
Key Takeaways:
- Science of Interior Design: Liz emphasizes the complexity beyond aesthetics, focusing on functional and psychological impacts of design on human interaction and workflow.
- Hybrid Work Environments: The pandemic has reshaped how businesses approach real estate, pushing for more adaptable workspaces to fit specific company cultures and operational needs.
- Role in CREW: Involvement in CREW Boston underscores the importance of networks in fostering leadership and professional growth for women in real estate.
- Adaptive Design Strategies: Sasaki’s transition to new office concepts illustrates how flexibility and thoughtful design can drive business efficiency and employee satisfaction.
- Conversion Challenges: Office to residential conversions present both opportunities and challenges, particularly in urban settings such as Boston.
Notable Quotes:
- "When we come into a space as designers, we're not only thinking about how it looks, but we're thinking about the arrangement of spaces, how you move through the space, and what the experience is when you're there?"
- "We're trying to use our skills to predict and create not only for today’s needs but also future-proof spaces for whatever tomorrow might bring."
- "Design is ultimately about understanding and then improving how people interact with their environments."
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