Spaceships, Saunas, and Front Lawns: How Kremer Johnson Saw an Opportunity to Explore Individuality in the Workplace

Through their "Personal Spaces" project, Kremer Johnson invites us to see office environments not just as places of work, but as canvases for creative expression and innovation. Neil and Cory's hands-on approach, from repurposing everyday materials to crafting each element without relying on CGI or AI, showcases the transformative power of design in enhancing both productivity and workplace culture. Their commitment to authenticity and the craft of physical design is beautifully captured through their lens; serving as a testament to the endless possibilities of creativity in everyday spaces.

Can you share what inspired your "Personal Spaces" project?

The project "Personal Space" was inspired by an article in The New York Times discussing companies allowing workers to customize their workspaces to entice them back to the office. We saw this as a great opportunity to explore individuality and creativity. We took on the challenge of creating the series entirely ourselves, from concept to casting and set design. 

How did you decide on the themes and elements for each transformation?

Each environment was created as an extension of the office occupant’s life, which we then cast accordingly. For example, in one office space, we transformed an ordinary office cubicle into a sauna retreat. It was purpose-built with new materials, specifically the exact materials that you would build a proper working sauna from. We even bought a real sauna heater for it! 

We also built out a suburban backyard which represents that neighbor we all know who loves his backyard. This character was portrayed through the decking, fence, house siding, gutter, hose, etc. set up within his office space. The turf we used was real sod, dirtless sod in fact, which took lots of searching to find. 

We wanted the designs to not only reflect the personality of the individuals but also provide them with a space that enhances their well-being during the workday. Along the way of building the cubicles, we made constant discoveries on how to take the office space’s personality to the next level and grow synergy between the space and occupant. 

What were some of the challenges you faced during set design?

One of the challenges was sourcing materials that were both creative and practical. We often found ourselves at Home Depot, exploring aisles for unconventional materials that could be transformed into elements of our designs. It required ingenuity to bring these ideas to life. 

For this project, it was very important to us to not rely on CGI or AI—every aspect of our designs were crafted by hand, from initial concept to final installation. Particular builds took weeks of searching for materials, reconfiguring commonplace items into something new and unexpected, and testing placement combinations. We wanted the sets to share elements of creativity and a homemade quality, while also appearing “real” and realistic which at times was a difficult balance. 

How did you use humor in this project?

Humor is a powerful tool for fostering creativity and collaboration. By incorporating elements of humor into our designs, such as quirky office decorations or playful themes, we aimed to create a workplace atmosphere that encourages positivity and innovation. It's about creating spaces that make people smile and feel more connected to their work environment.

What do you hope viewers take away from your "Personal Spaces" project?

We hope viewers see the work and recognize that we are a team that embraces creativity, resourcefulness, and playfulness in our work. We want people to see that our approach goes beyond traditional boundaries, emphasizing hands-on craftsmanship and authenticity. By repurposing everyday materials and crafting each element without relying on CGI or AI, we demonstrate the importance of human input in creativity.