With social distancing implemented and stay-at-home orders mandated in many countries, the notion of the office has certainly changed in recent months. In this four-part series, designers give HD a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what working from home has been like.
Martin Brudnizki, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio
Where: I’m in London at my apartment with my partner. We are in the process of renovating a country house in West Sussex at the moment, but sadly it’s just a building site so we weren’t able to decamp. London, however, is as relaxing and peaceful as I’ve known it to be.
On maintaining normalcy: It’s nice how the simple things one never appreciates enough somehow become the tonic to life. Just being outside, listening to the birds, feeling the sun or a breeze on my face—it all makes me feel more grounded. Other than that, cocktails in the evening with a good book helps me process what we’re going through.
What’s missing: Eating out, I’m longing for a white tablecloth, some warm bread, and a menu. And alongside that—being with friends and traveling.
Linda Boronkay, Soho House
Where: Right now, I’m working in an apartment that we rent from friends here in Sydney, as well as the parks nearby. (I prefer the latter.)
On maintaining normalcy: My husband, nine-month old, and I got stuck in Sydney [Boronkay is based in London] at the end of our holiday. We’ve been making the most of it by spending as much time as possible outside. Having a baby also means we have a very strict routine, which helps us stay focused and distracted from the tragic news around us. I’m enjoying our daily routines; it’s a blessing right now.
Important takeaways: As the days and weeks have gone by, I’ve learned to enjoy the slower pace, having more time for my family and enjoying the moment, which I so rarely do. I’m inspired by the goodness this situation has brought out in people and how small communities are helping each other.
Matthew Goodrich, GOODRICH
Where: My dining room table in Philadelphia has been taken over as my home base. At the end of the week, I pile my papers into a bag to clear work away for the two-day “weekend.” It’s hard to tell the difference between days, but this clean-up ritual helps.
The upside: Just before this lockdown, a friend gave my partner and I a collection of hundreds of vinyl albums to hold while she was moving. We ordered a Wi-Fi turntable and have been listening to them for weeks. It is a treasure—great graphics and album art, and the spontaneity of exploring records that you don’t know. A whole universe opened up to us.
What’s missing: I miss our office and having our whole team together in that beautiful space. We have great light, great views, huge plants and trees, and a few dogs most days. I love the energy when we are all together, and I miss it every day.
Where: In a corner of my Hell’s Kitchen apartment at a desk I designed for ERA furniture with several colorful paintings surrounding me.
On maintaining normalcy: I’m so used to working out and walking around the city every day, but for the past 32 days, I haven’t stepped out of my apartment. So I bought a Technogym treadmill to keep my body moving and have begun working out 90 minutes a day, including a 45-minute run.
Inspiring moments: The last time I did go for a walk, I went around Times Square and over to a bank on Third Avenue. The city was so nice and quiet that I started seeing things—architecture, space, stuff that I hadn’t ever recognized before. I saw the city in a very different light.
Catch up with the first installment in the series here.
