Writing, teaching and speaking engagements are an important part of our work. We publish on topics related to design, organizational culture, workplace, innovation and urban infrastructure. We also present at conferences and moderate discussion panels.
THESANDBOX Featured Post:
04/10/13
Can any New Yorker imagine a worse nightmare than being trapped in Penn Station.... forever? Well that's exactly what a "special application" from Madison Square Gardens asked for today in front of the NYC Planning Commission. Municipal Arts Society asked Pilot Projects to show up to the public meeting with a few words to say.
PILOTPROJECTS in the News:
02/13/13
02/05/13
Featured Writings:
09/01/11
How Trends and Leaders Shape the Workplace of the Future
Scott Francisco
Original Publication: Office Insight, September 2011, pg 15
06/01/11
Can Design Save us from Efficiency?
Scott Francisco
Original Publication: Contract Design Magazine, June 2011, pg 72
The design and consulting industry have become addicted to “picking up slack” ... eliminating inefficiencies that can be “measurably reduced”. But the best business thinkers today believe that slack is essential to innovation and a sustainable economy. Can the design industry get past our dead-end obsession with short-term efficiency and begin nurturing some "slack" before it’s too late?
03/01/11
Ernest Beck
IIDA Journal, Spring 2011, pg 25
11/01/10
How Innovation Products Threaten the Innovation Process
Scott Francisco
Original Publication: Reconstruction: Studies in Contemporary Culture, Vol 10, 2 Nov 2010
Innovation outputs may appear prolific and encouraging today - but will this last? This paper proposes that certain cognitive and cultural attributes vital to innovation, creativity, risk-taking and complex problem-solving skills, are themselves at risk... The conflict between innovation 'products' and 'process' is the Innovation Paradox.
11/02/09
Scott Francisco
Office Insight, 2 Nov 2009
10/12/09
Brad Powell
Office Insight, 12 Oct 2009
01/01/08
Scott Francisco
DEGW Insights, 2008
03/01/07
Scott Francisco
American Behavioral Scientist, Volume 50 Number 7 March 2007
01/01/06
Scott Francisco
Educause - Learning Spaces: Chapter 27 2006
08/01/05
Scott Francisco
SMArchS Thesis: M.I.T., August 2005
A study was carried out to explore methods for improving the understanding and practice of design as a means of self-discovery, intersubjective dialogue and cultural development. Using MIT as a laboratory and case study...
01/01/04
Scott Francisco
M.I.T. (SMArchS, Faculty Colloquium: Frontiers in Architecture and Engineering)
Harvard (Anthropology 104, Language and Culture), Jan 2004
01/01/04
Scott Francisco
2004, Advanced Seminar in City Form, MIT
01/01/04
Scott Francisco
Pinup MIT, 2004
01/01/03
Re(dis)covered Paradigms for a Transformational Relationship Between Architecture, Education and Culture
Scott Francisco
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture - Proceedings, 2002
M.I.T. NotToScale, 2003
04/29/89
Scott Francisco
The Toronto Star, page J5 April 29, 1989
Speaking Engagements:
04/18/13
Craftsmanship, Culture and Technology in Workplace Strategy: Building a creative and efficient environment for your company
The Young Executives of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce invite you to a conversation with workplace design and strategy experts:
- Scott Francisco, Pilot Projects Design Collective
- Sara Matiz, MAD
- Filippo Soave, Perkins and Will
Is craftsmanship relevant in our technological age? Does it impact organization culture and workplace design? How can productive organizations be supported by design? As Italian traditions intersect with contemporary business process, are craftsmanship and technology at odds with each other? What does a workplace look like that supports both craftsmanship and a streamlined business model? Details here.
11/17/12
"Sustainability and Social Enterprise"
Dr. Sara Minard and Scott Francisco
09/01/12
"A Tale of Two Hammers: Workplace, Tools and Organization-Craft”
Scott Francisco. Sept, 2012
07/01/12
“Using Technology to Persuade People and Bring in the Dollars”
Yasmin Fodil. July 2012
07/01/12
International Jacques Ellul Society Annual Conference
“Jacques Ellul and the Lightsaber: The Cultural Potential of Inefficient Techniques”
Scott Francisco. July 2012
05/01/12
Masterclass
Scott Francisco, Chair. May 2012
05/01/12
“Envisioning Adaptation: Design as a Bridge to a Sustainable Future”
Scott Francisco. May 2012
12/01/11
“The Workplace of the Future; Double Visions”
Scott Francisco. December 2011
07/01/11
“Social Media in the Middle East: Why Now, What’s Next?”
Yasmin Fodil. July 2011
12/01/09
Buildex Seattle
"16th Century Spice Trade: Ships, Organizations and Cargo”
Scott Francisco. 2009
11/30/09
Construct Canada
“Design for Change; "Obscure Dependencies”
Scott Francisco. 2008-9
12/02/05
IFMA International Facilities Management Association
“In Pursuit of the Creative Workplace”
Scott Francisco. 2005
12/01/05
International Conference on Communities and Technologies, Milan
Communities vs. Networks
Scott Francisco. 2005
12/01/02
Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
“Material Revolution”
Scott Francisco. 2002
08/01/98
HGTV: This Small Space
Segment on Toronto Loft-Conversion Project.
Scott Francisco. 1998
