My work here at IAD directly addresses the critical area of flexible workspaces, driven by the understanding that empowering employees with greater control over their work-life balance is key to achieving superior results. Through rigorous primary research methods, my team and I delve into the existing challenges and unmet needs within the current IAD environment. Our focus is on pinpointing specific areas where thoughtful design interventions can tangibly improve the lives of the employees.

The core goal of this project is to mitigate the negative impact of various disruptive factors on employee well-being, ultimately leading to increased productivity and efficiency. My proposed solution, SWITCH, tackles this head-on by significantly reducing the frequency with which unexpected visitors or phone calls can interrupt a user's focused work hours within IAD. Each user is provided with a physical SWITCH, and each switch is intelligently connected to the shared phone line (serving four users) and a clearly visible display located outside their workspace.

By simply activating their SWITCH, an employee can signal their need for uninterrupted focus. This action dynamically redirects incoming calls and politely informs potential visitors of their current availability, offering a tangible mechanism for creating a flexible and productive workspace on demand. SWITCH isn't just a piece of technology; it's a tool that empowers individuals to manage their workflow, protect their concentration, and ultimately contribute more effectively, fostering a more supportive and efficient research environment within IAD