says James Geekie of Area Sq Regions
Increasingly, the technology in our working lives is allowing us to interact virtually instead of face to face. With modern video-conferencing tools, colleagues can meet without being in the same room – or even in the same country. And what if we could do this by using interactive people holograms, beaming life-sized versions of ourselves across the world – or even on to the Moon? Imagine, then, that same technology being used to beam life-sized forms of new buildings awaiting planning approval; how amazing would it be to experience a development, which isn’t actually there?
But if such technology means we no longer need to leave our homes, are we in danger of becoming insular, house-bound beings, struggling to communicate and preferring to develop online personas rather than real ones? A great analogy for this might be comparing internet shopping with going to your local greengrocer – convenience versus authentic experience.
There’s no doubt virtualisation is a fantastic tool, but there’s a fine balance between integrating technology, and the more traditional, welcoming approach of the local greengrocer.
James Geekie Since graduating from Bournemouth University in 2001, Geekie has worked in design, and has developed a passion for commercial property. He was appointed head of design at Area Sq Regions in 2010 and since then has worked on a wide range of British and overseas projects including for McAfee, Hewlett Packard, Ferring and Thunderhead.
