Design Democracy
The Death and Life of the Human Workplace — Coming Soon
What is Design Democracy?
What if our buildings are failing us? In Design Democracy, William Robertson argues that the spaces we inhabit, like our offices, health care facilities, and hospitality environments, are often designed without enough information, resulting in places that are dysfunctional, uninspiring, and disconnected from the needs of those who use them.
This book introduces a revolutionary new approach: Design Democracy. It's both a methodology and a call to action, dismantling the top-down, ego-driven design process and replacing it with collaboration, empathy, and data-driven decisions. By embracing the collective wisdom of all users, from the CEO to the intern, we can create spaces that are not just more profitable but also more innovative and inspiring.
Drawing on William Robertson's extensive experience in architecture and design, as well as insights from his cross-country bicycle journey and martial arts practice, Design Democracy is a powerful manifesto for a new era of design, one built on empathy, authenticity, and the courage to create places that become catalysts for human potential.
About The Author: William Robertson
William began his career in architecture after graduating from Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning in 1998. For the next two decades, he led development strategy for three of the world’s five largest real estate firms, overseeing more than four million square feet of development.
In 2016, building on a proven record of collaborative design, William founded Design Build Labs, his own design-build architecture and construction company. Through his firm, he continues to champion the principles of Design Democracy, helping clients bring their unique cultural patterns to new heights of design.
A licensed architect and general contractor in California, William is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the US Green Building Council (USGBC). He is also a third-degree black belt in karate, a cross-country cyclist, and an amateur surfer. William lives in Santa Monica, California, with his wife, daughters, and a bunch of cats.