First Look! 👀 Being Maori & Multicultural: How Heritage Drives Design with Antonia Walmsley

Can a multicultural approach to design elevate design philosophy for the better? In the latest episode of Space by Stansons, host Guy Stanley welcomes Antonia Walmsley, Head of Strategy and Design at Unispace Global, to explore how cultural heritage shapes workplace design philosophy, the evolution from traditional architecture to innovative design-build approaches, and the delicate balance between structure and creativity in modern workspaces.What You’ll LearnHow indigenous principles of community and hospitality can transform modern workplace designWhy structured routines enable rather than restrict creative design thinkingThe evolution of design-and-build from startup to global enterprise, maintaining entrepreneurial spiritHow to balance global brand consistency with local cultural authenticity in workplace designWhy workplace needs remain fundamentally unchanged post-COVID, despite shifting dynamicsThe importance of understanding individual client culture in workplace strategyWhy successful workplace design must consider both psychological and practical needsTune in for a thought-provoking conversation on why cultural diversity is key to design diversity. Antonia Walmsley is the Head of Strategy and Design at Unispace Global, where she leads the European design team and brings a unique perspective shaped by her Maori heritage and architectural background. With over 15 years of experience, including 9 years at Unispace, she has been instrumental in transforming the company from a startup in New Zealand to a global workplace design leader. Antonia's expertise spans traditional architecture, design-and-build approaches, and creating culturally responsive workspaces across diverse European markets.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here: https://www.fame.so/follow-rate-review Episode Highlights00:00 Introduction & Meeting Antonia Walmsley at Unispace HQ03:35 Cultural Heritage: How Māori Values Shape Modern Design12:05 Strategies to Navigate Cultural Diversity in Design29:03 Design: Where Structure Meets Creativity29:21 The Psychology of Workplace Design35:10 Unispace Journey: From NZ Startup to Global Design Leader42:10 Adaptability in Design: Embracing Change and Innovation47:25 Final Thoughts: Expert Insights and Podcast RecommendationsEpisode Resources:Antonia Walmsley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonia-walmsley-590a13b/ Unispace Global Website: https://www.unispace.com/ Guy Stanley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guystanley Learn more about Stansons Group Ltd. here: https://stansons.co.uk 💬 Comment below your favourite part!