Artist Biography
Austin Evans – Austin, a Vermont native, has been passionate about design for a long time. A middle school math class floor plan assignment sparked an interest that has never seemed to slip away. One of his favorite aspects of field is evidence based design and how he has the ability to impact the bodies and minds of the individuals who occupy the built environment. Austin has completed internships at Vermod, designing high performance modular homes, Amanda Greaves and Company, designing seaside luxury villas, and Bergmeyer bringing hotels across the country up to date with the industry’s latest design trends. After graduation Austin will be moving to Raleigh, North Carolina with his wife where he will be working as a designer in the interior construction division of CBI.
Thesis Abstract
The conversation around work-life balance first arose in the 1970s and 80s. Fueled by changing social norms and intense corporate office settings, individuals began to substantially push a need for an appropriate work-to-life ratio. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 created unprecedented circumstances for the global workforce. Upwards of 50% of individuals in 2020 reported working from home at least one day per week. This hybrid work shift and the elimination of physical workplace barriers have negatively affected the work-life balance of emerging professionals in their 20s. The evolution of technology has created a constant feeling of availability and has caused emerging professionals to work longer hours than ever before. An appropriate work-life balance improves overall health, happiness, well-being, and employee productivity and 71% of employees report work-life balance as a top priority when searching for a new job; some even state that they would be willing to receive a lower salary if it meant for a healthy work-life balance. The research of this thesis solidifies the need for a prototype apartment community that provides the necessary resources to obtain and sustain a healthy work-life balance. Evidence-based design has driven the design choices of this thesis through the theories of place attachment, prospect and refuge, color psychology, and biophilic design. The use of these theories provides spaces that are safe, comfortable, and enact creativity and productivity. The community provides opportunities to effectively complete remote work but also to fully disconnect from work tasks and focus on personal relationships, growth, and health. The applied research in this thesis creates the framework that allows for all emerging professionals to have equal access to a healthy work-life balance.