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A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LEADING LITERATURE ON PRODUCTIVITY IN WORK-FROM-HOME-SETTINGS
Full text linkTopicality: The topic of working from home has gained more and more attention in recent years, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Many companies worldwide have announced that they would permanently enable people to work remotely, as they themselves believe that quality work can be done remotely. To this end, working-from-home arrangements should be closely analyzed and understood, and understanding the psychological implications of prolonged work-from-home is crucial.
Purpose: This paper aims to systematically review the literature to develop a common understanding of the concept of productivity in work-from-home settings and how work-from-home impacts productivity. Moreover, it provides future research directions for the development of theory and practice.
Design/ methodology/ approach: The review examines the leading publications with the search term “Work from home AND Productivity” in Scopus, Emerald Insight, and ScienceDirect databases. 56 publications were used in over 47 sources from 1993 to 2023.
Findings: Research into working-from-home models and productivity has been a hot topic for researchers over the past three years. There also seems to be an upward trend. Publications can be found in professional journals with different subject areas such as applied psychology, human resources management, and organizational behavior. The publication\u27s view of working from home describes working away from the office, primarily at home. Employee productivity varies significantly between home office and workplace work. These differences arise from the impact of the workplace on the productivity of the individual. In addition, there are many factors that influence this relationship such as gender, age, level of education, work experience, marital status, number of children, and type of organization.
Originality/value: This study is intended to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of teleworking and enable companies to reconsider their teleworking strategies in order to optimize policies and improve organizational productivity without compromising the quality of life and well-being of their employees.
Keywords: Work from home, working from home, covid-19, employee productivity
Paper type: Literature revie
Urban Branding as Strategic Planning Tool for Adaptive Spatial Developments in Shrinking Riga
Full text linkDATA DRIVEN DESIGN: Methods in Architectural Concept Design: UNDERGROUND CLOUD: Data Center
Full text linkThis article explores the role of DATA DRIVEN DESIGN Methods in Architectural Concept Design of underground cloud data centers, with a particular focus on the "Underground Cloud" project. As data centers continue to serve as critical nodes for global digital infrastructure, their energy consumption and environmental impact raise pressing challenges. Data-driven design, incorporating advanced computational tools, artificial intelligence (AI), and predictive analytics, offers a solution to optimize spatial layouts, improve energy efficiency, and minimize environmental footprint. This research examines the potential of underground environments, which provide natural thermal stability and enhanced physical security, to support sustainable data center operations. The study analyzes the integration of big data in architectural workflows, highlighting the transition from intuition-based design to data-driven strategies that leverage real-time data inputs (Figure 1). Through case studies of existing underground facilities, the article illustrates best practices in applying AI-driven simulations and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for optimizing environmental performance. The findings suggest that data-driven methodologies can significantly reduce energy consumption, streamline operations, and address spatial constraints while maintaining architectural integrity. Furthermore, the paper presents design recommendations for future underground data centers, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, adaptive design strategies, and ethical considerations in data usage. The study concludes that the intersection of data-driven design and underground data center architecture represents a promising avenue for addressing the growing demands of the digital era while promoting sustainability and operational resilience. Additionally, the research underscores the potential for underground cloud infrastructure to contribute to urban energy ecosystems by utilizing excess heat for district heating, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing resource efficiency. The study also explores potential challenges and future directions for integrating data-driven methods into architectural design, providing a comprehensive framework for future projects
Biophilic Effect as a Human-Centric Design Approach to Sustainability
No full textAbstract
This paper explores the intersection of sustainability, green design, and biophilic architecture within the context of the climate crisis. It critiques the current architectural focus on technical perfection and sustainable building lifecycles, arguing that such approaches, while vital, often neglect the immediate, perceptual, and mental health benefits of environmental design. Emphasizing the Vitruvian triad of functionality, aesthetics, and scientific aspects, the paper advocates for integrating climate sensitivity into daily living spaces to foster a deeper human-nature connection. It highlights biophilic design as a promising paradigm incorporating natural elements into architecture, enhancing human well-being, challenging habits, and promoting ecological awareness. Historical and contemporary examples, including the works of Stephen Kellert and Edward Wilson, illustrate the evolution and impact of biophilic principles. The discussion extends to the embodied perspective of design, focusing on the sensory, cognitive, and emotional interactions between humans and their built environments. The paper argues for a human-centric approach to sustainable architecture, proposing that the biophilic effect—rooted in the nexus of space, body, and mind—can effectively complement technical green design by fostering a holistic connection with nature. The text proposes the concept of act-perience, a combination of experience, movement, and human actions in space, as the main result of biophilic effects or any effect a critical architectural stance is striving for.
 
The Still Point: Architectural Perspectives on Euthanasia Clinics: The Still Point: Architectural Perspectives on Euthanasia Clinics
No full textAbstractEuthanasia remains a contentious and complex issue globally, yet architecture offers an opportunity to shape end-of-life experiences with dignity and compassion. This article, based on Madara Žeikare\u27s master\u27s thesis, provides an in-depth exploration of how architectural design can support euthanasia clinics by emphasizing patient autonomy, privacy, and emotional comfort. The thesis discusses the historical evolution of healthcare architecture, highlighting the transition from sterile medical environments to spaces that prioritize well-being, dignity, and holistic care. It delves into the architectural challenges of end-of-life facilities, including the need for privacy, integration of natural elements, and culturally sensitive design. Drawing from extensive sections of the thesis, including theoretical frameworks, design concepts, and case studies from Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Canada, this article highlights best practices such as flexible spatial organization, biophilic elements, and inclusive design solutions. The architectural framework proposed aims to foster ethical discourse and provide humane end-of-life care environments, particularly in regions like Latvia where euthanasia is not yet legal. The research underscores the importance of integrating positive distractions like art, music, and nature, ensuring privacy through soundproofing and thoughtful layouts, and promoting sustainability through eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems. Furthermore, the thesis explores the potential of architecture to serve as a catalyst for societal dialogue, bridging legal and cultural gaps, while offering spaces that respect and support the emotional well-being of patients and their families. This comprehensive perspective demonstrates how architecture can address emotional, ethical, and practical needs in end-of-life care, contributing significantly to academic discourse, design innovation, and practical applications in healthcare architecture.
Keywords: Euthanasia clinics, healthcare architecture, patient autonomy, end-of-life care, architectural design, cultural sensitivity, ethical discourse, biophilic design.
Introduction
Euthanasia, the deliberate ending of life to alleviate suffering, evokes profound ethical, legal, and emotional debates. The architecture of euthanasia clinics is not merely about functionality but also about creating spaces that provide solace, respect, and dignity to individuals facing the end of life. Madara Žeikare\u27s master\u27s thesis, The Still Point: Where Choice Meets Serenity, provides a comprehensive exploration of how architectural design can address the unique needs of patients, families, and healthcare providers in end-of-life care settings. The introduction in the thesis sets a detailed context by discussing the historical evolution of healthcare architecture, the ethical debates surrounding euthanasia, and the need for specialized facilities that cater to these sensitive circumstances. It emphasizes the importance of privacy, emotional support, and cultural sensitivity in designing euthanasia clinics. Žeikare also highlights the growing global discourse on euthanasia and the architectural challenges faced in creating spaces that honor patient autonomy while adhering to legal and ethical standards. This article distills key insights from the thesis, focusing on the necessity of specialized euthanasia clinics, their design principles, cultural and regional sensitivity, sustainability considerations, and the broader societal implications of integrating architectural design into end-of-life care. It also draws attention to the Latvian context, where euthanasia remains illegal, and explores how architectural design can foster ethical discussions and contribute to potential legal and healthcare advancements in the future.
The Need for Specialized Euthanasia Clinics
Traditional healthcare facilities often struggle to balance clinical efficiency with emotional support, particularly in end-of-life care. The master\u27s thesis highlights that existing healthcare spaces, such as hospitals and hospices, often prioritize medical functionality over emotional well-being, leading to environments that may feel sterile and impersonal. Euthanasia clinics, as distinct entities, address this gap by prioritizing patient autonomy, privacy, and emotional well-being. Madara Žeikare’s work emphasizes that architectural design in euthanasia clinics must integrate thoughtful spatial organization, sensory comfort, and ethical considerations to provide a humane end-of-life experience. The thesis explores international examples where specialized clinics have successfully created environments that respect patient choices, offering design solutions such as separate circulation paths for patients and staff, nature-integrated spaces for reflection, and private rooms that allow personalization. The research also delves into the challenges posed by the absence of such facilities in regions like Latvia, where euthanasia is not legal, and suggests that architectural design can play a pivotal role in encouraging dialogue and advocating for humane end-of-life care. By analyzing case studies, the thesis illustrates how design elements like soundproof rooms, soothing color palettes, and flexible spaces contribute to a sense of peace and dignity. This article expands on the thesis by underscoring that architecture can foster environments where patients feel empowered in their choices, supported by spaces designed for tranquility, dignity, and ethical sensitivity.
Design Principles for Euthanasia Clinics
The design principles for euthanasia clinics outlined in Madara Žeikare\u27s thesis emphasize creating spaces that provide comfort, dignity, and emotional support during the end-of-life journey.
Patient-Centered Design: Architectural layouts must prioritize patient autonomy, with private rooms that offer personalization opportunities such as bringing personal belongings, artwork, and photographs. Seamless movement flows are essential to minimize stress, ensuring that patients experience minimal disruptions. The thesis details the importance of spacious rooms with natural views, soundproof walls for privacy, and ergonomic furnishings that enhance physical comfort.
Incorporation of Nature: Biophilic design elements, such as botanical gardens, natural light, and water features, are essential for creating calming environments. The thesis describes how connecting patients with nature through large windows, indoor greenery, and sensory gardens contributes to psychological well-being. Nature-inspired textures, materials, and color palettes further enhance the therapeutic atmosphere.
Cultural Sensitivity: Facilities should accommodate diverse cultural and spiritual practices, providing spaces like prayer rooms and incorporating regional architectural influences. Žeikare’s work highlights the need for flexible spaces that can be adapted for different rituals, cultural ceremonies, and spiritual counseling, ensuring inclusivity and respect for all beliefs.
Positive Distractions: Integrating art, music, and sensory stimuli helps alleviate anxiety, offering patients and families moments of peace. The thesis emphasizes the use of visual art installations, ambient music systems, aromatherapy, and tactile elements like soft fabrics and interactive features. These distractions provide emotional respite, helping patients and their families navigate the challenging end-of-life process with greater ease.
Patient-Centered Design: Architectural layouts must prioritize patient autonomy, with private rooms, personalized spaces, and seamless movement flows that minimize stress.
International Case Studies: Best Practices in Design
The master\u27s thesis by Madara Žeikare offers a detailed examination of international euthanasia clinics, showcasing best practices in architectural design that balance legal, ethical, and emotional considerations.
Switzerland (Dignitas): Emphasizes patient autonomy with flexible spaces that adapt to individual needs. The Dignitas facility integrates minimalist design with natural elements such as open spaces, wooden textures, and large windows offering views of nature, creating a serene atmosphere. The thesis highlights how Dignitas offers patients control over their environment, including room personalization and choice of surroundings, reinforcing their autonomy and dignity. Separate spaces for counseling, reflection, and final moments ensure privacy and comfort, while legal and ethical safeguards are embedded in the architectural design.
The Netherlands (End of Life Clinic): Balances functionality with emotional support, offering private consultation spaces, family meeting rooms, and areas for reflection. The thesis details how the clinic incorporates nature through interior gardens, water features, and natural lighting, reducing stress for patients and families. Flexibility in room design allows for different cultural and spiritual practices, with designated spaces for rituals and farewells. Architectural elements like soundproofing and comfortable furnishings ensure a supportive atmosphere, while legal requirements for patient consent and medical assessments are seamlessly integrated into the spatial organization.
Canada (MAID Facilities): Highlights adaptability, privacy, and inclusivity, ensuring that spaces are accessible and emotionally supportive. The thesis explores Canadian clinics\u27 use of modular design, allowing spaces to be adapted for different patient needs. Accessibility features include barrier-free entrances, wide corridors, and adjustable lighting. Emotional support is provided through art therapy rooms, music installations, and sensory gardens. Canadian facilities also prioritize cultural sensitivity, offering spaces for diverse spiritual practices and counseling services, ensuring that every patient’s journey is respected and supported through thoughtful architectural design.
Architectural Concept and Design Decisions
Madara Žeikare’s master\u27s thesis presents a detailed conceptual design for a euthanasia clinic in Latvia, weaving natural forms, cultural sensitivity, and sustainability into every aspect of the facility. The architectural concept is built around the philosophy of providing patients with a serene, respectful environment for end-of-life care while addressing the complex emotional, legal, and ethical dimensions of euthanasia.
Botanical Garden: Central to the design, the botanical garden serves as both a physical and symbolic anchor. It symbolizes growth, serenity, and the cycle of life, providing patients and families with a peaceful environment for reflection. The garden includes carefully selected flora such as lavender for relaxation, olive trees for peace, and flowing water features for tranquility. Pathways and seating areas are strategically placed to encourage quiet contemplation and emotional healing.
Patient Rooms: Designed to offer maximum comfort and privacy, patient rooms are oriented towards the west to capture calming sunset views, symbolizing the transition and uniqueness of each life. Large windows flood the rooms with natural light, while soft materials, warm tones, and personalized decor options provide a home-like atmosphere. Each room includes a private terrace, allowing patients to connect with nature.
Positive Distractions: The clinic integrates a variety of positive distractions, including Zen gardens with raked sand patterns for mindfulness, aquariums with koi fish symbolizing perseverance, and rotating art installations that inspire and comfort. Sensory elements like soft lighting, calming scents, and ambient music further enhance emotional well-being.
Privacy Measures: Architectural solutions prioritize privacy and security through separate entrances for patients, families, and staff, soundproofed walls for confidential conversations, and visual barriers like landscaped screens and frosted glass. These measures ensure that patients and families experience the highest level of comfort, dignity, and peace during their time at the clinic.
The thesis also emphasizes sustainability, with energy-efficient materials, natural ventilation, and solar panels integrated into the design. Cultural sensitivity is reflected in the choice of materials, architectural forms, and the inclusion of spaces for diverse spiritual practices, ensuring that the clinic aligns with Latvia’s cultural context while fostering a supportive and dignified environment.
Conclusions and Proposals
Madara Žeikare’s master\u27s thesis offers a thorough exploration of architecture\u27s potential to influence ethical discourse on euthanasia, particularly in regions like Latvia, where legal and cultural hesitations persist. The research highlights that architecture is not just a physical framework but a medium through which compassionate care, dignity, and autonomy can be expressed.
The thesis proposes developing adaptable spaces that cater to diverse patient needs, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. It delves into the importance of flexible architectural designs that can accommodate various end-of-life preferences, including spaces for family gatherings, private reflections, and spiritual rituals. The thesis emphasizes modular designs that allow easy customization, ensuring patients from different cultural and religious backgrounds feel supported and respected.
Public dialogue can be encouraged through architectural exhibitions, workshops, and public consultations where design concepts for euthanasia clinics are showcased. The thesis suggests that these forums can engage policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the general public, fostering awareness, empathy, and understanding. Architectural visualizations and models can serve as powerful tools to demonstrate how thoughtfully designed spaces can transform the end-of-life experience.
Integration of advanced technologies is highlighted as a key proposal in the thesis. AI-based patient monitoring systems can ensure continuous care, while virtual reality can offer therapeutic experiences, such as serene landscapes or familiar settings, to comfort patients. Smart building management systems, including automated lighting, climate control, and energy management, contribute to operational efficiency and sustainability.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the thesis’s architectural proposals. It advocates for the use of eco-friendly materials, renewable energy sources like solar panels, natural ventilation systems, and rainwater harvesting. The design also emphasizes biophilic elements such as indoor gardens, green walls, and natural lighting, which not only reduce the environmental impact but also promote healing and emotional well-being.
The thesis reinforces the vision of architectural design as a transformative tool in end-of-life care, advocating for spaces that honor dignity, autonomy, and emotional well-being while addressing complex ethical considerations. It calls for interdisciplinary collaboration among architects, healthcare providers, ethicists, and policymakers to create humane, supportive environments for patients facing the end of life, offering a blueprint for future development in this sensitive area
MEASURING ORGANISATIONAL RESILIENCE: COMBINING STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL DIMENSIONS
Full text linkTopicality: Research about measuring organisational resilience is gaining popularity due to rising uncertainty in the business environment. Although studies researching organisational resilience are aimed at various industries, using different methodological approaches and resulting in varied outcomes. Moreover, lacking a shared understanding of organisational resilience, publications offer vast differences in measuring approaches and outcomes of organisational resilience. Therefore, understanding organisational resilience as the combination of strategic and operational resilience might lead to a better quantifiability of the overarching construct.
Research aim: This paper will conduct a systematic literature review to analyse the different approaches to measuring organisational resilience in leading publications in business and management studies. Furthermore, a combined methodology for measuring organisational resilience from these studies is introduced.
Methodology: This literature review explores the leading publications in the business and management field from the scientific database of Scopus using a Boolean search with \u27organisational resilience\u27 and \u27measur*\u27,\u27 indicator\u27,\u27 scale\u27, and\u27 survey\u27 as the search terms in the Scopus database.
Findings: An increasing number of publications studies on how to measure organisational resilience. Nevertheless, a common understanding of the concepts still escapes capture. A split of organisational resilience into strategic and operational resilience can improve the fit of the models to create a shared understanding of its measurement.
Novelty: Current research directions regarding catching the concept of organisational resilience and its measurement are widely fractured. This research synthesises the existing methodologies and provides a combined approach for measuring organisational resilience by splitting indicators into operational and strategic resilience dimensions
Architecture and Palliative Care: Designing an Urban Hospice for Riga’s Evolving Healthcare Landscape
Full text linkThe integration of hospice care within the urban fabric presents both architectural and societal challenges, particularly in Latvia, where dedicated hospice facilities are lacking. This article examines the evolution of hospice design and its application in the context of Riga, proposing an urban hospice by Māras Pond as a model for palliative care infrastructure.
The site’s strategic location, combining urban accessibility with therapeutic natural surroundings, informs a design that balances medical functionality, historical sensitivity, and community engagement. Spatial strategies prioritize patient well-being through carefully integrated indoor and outdoor environments, fostering psychological comfort and social inclusion.
This article highlights the critical need for dedicated hospice facilities in Latvia, advocating for a comprehensive approach that integrates evidence-based design principles, sustainability, policy support, and public awareness to transform the future of palliative care in Latvia
The Role of Fusion Power and High-Tech Data Centers in the Sustainable Revitalization of Decommissioned Nuclear Sites
Full text linkThis article explores the potential of transforming decommissioned nuclear power plants into sustainable urban hubs through the integration of fusion power and high-tech data centers. Focused on the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) in Lithuania, it presents a unique opportunity to repurpose former industrial sites to address modern challenges in energy sustainability, technological innovation, and economic revitalization. By combining clean, virtually limitless fusion energy with the growing demand for digital infrastructure, this approach offers a dual solution for sustainable energy production and regional economic growth. Drawing from international case studies, the article outlines a comprehensive blueprint for repurposing nuclear sites as critical components of the future urban landscape, offering valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and industry leaders looking to drive both environmental and technological progress
Evoking Cultural Memory and Nostalgia with Volumetric Visualizations: NeRFs and Point Clouds as Metaphors for Displacement
Full text linkThis article examines the use of NeRF and point cloud visualizations to evoke cultural memory and nostalgia. Employing a triune framework that encompasses cognitive, emotional, and placial aspects, the study investigates how advanced volumetric imaging techniques can be used to represent and convey aspects of the complex experience of displacement. Contextualized through the analysis of a 5-channel immersive installation created by the authors, this inquiry analyzes technical processes and considers ethical implications, while also providing a novel approach to creating visual representations of memory and belonging
Freedom of Form Manifesto: Reimagining Architecture in the Age of Computational Design and Digital Fabrication
Full text linkThe Freedom of Form Manifesto presents a radical rethinking of architecture in the age of computational design, robotic fabrication, and generative processes. Traditional architectural methodologies, constrained by modular standardization, Cartesian geometries, and prefabrication, have limited the expressive and functional potential of built environments. This article critiques the limitations of industrial-era construction paradigms and proposes a new framework where form is emergent, adaptive, and performative rather than predefined.Drawing from advances in parametric semiology, multi-agent simulations, and additive manufacturing techniques like Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), this manifesto advocates for an architecture that integrates generative intelligence, self-organizing material logic, and AI-driven spatial adaptation. It establishes six core principles, including the rejection of static typologies, the unification of generative design with fabrication, and the transition toward post-anthropocentric, multi-space environments.This study also addresses the challenges of implementing robotic construction at scale, including material constraints, regulatory barriers, and the need for economic viability. It calls for a paradigm shift in architectural practice and education, urging architects to embrace computational creativity, algorithmic workflows, and robotic precision to redefine the built environment.Ultimately, Freedom of Form envisions a future where architecture is no longer imposed but computationally generated, no longer static but continuously evolving, no longer constrained but truly free