Workplace Intypes (Interior Archetypes)

The Intypes (Interior Archetypes or Typologies) Research and Teaching Project, initiated in 1997 at Cornell University, creates a typology of contemporary interior design practices that are derived from reiterative historical designs that span time and style and cross cultural boundaries. An Intype represents an ideal example of a historical and culturally determined practice of design. 

Click on the name of each Intype to know more. The methodology of research can be found here.

1 Bar 2 is a formal furniture arrangement in executive offices consisting of an executive chair that sits across a desk (a barrier) from two guest chairs. 1 Bar 2 delineates the status between the executive and those who sit on the other side of the table.

Dual Desk is a bi-functional furniture unit used in reception areas. Comprised of a standing height element for the visitor and a sitting-height work surface for the receptionist, Dual Desk also differentiates public (lobby) area from private (office) space.

Face to Face is a formal furniture arrangement in which two lounge chairs are aligned to face two other lounge chairs or a sofa for conversation or waiting. With or without an area rug, the composition defines a spatial area.

Frame describes an interior partition consisting of a clearly articulated frame.

Incubate is a shared spatial unit that is isolated from a larger environment. It serves as a transitory office or small meeting area where conversation occurs and ideas develop.

Light Seam is a gradient of light that defines a continuous edge of illumination between perpendicular architectural planes.

Marching Order is a sequence of repeating forms organized consecutively, one after another, that establish a measured spatial order.

Pompidou, like its namesake building (Pompidou Center), intentionally exposes structural and mechanical systems in interior spaces. These elements are left in an original raw state, or painted, either uniformly a neutral color, or with certain ducts or pipes a bright accent color.

9. Slat
Slat describes screens composed of regularly spaced thin strips of material, typically wood, and oriented in either a horizontal or vertical direction.

White Box, an undecorated space with white walls, white ceiling and a continuous neutral floor, originated in 1927 as clean envelope, a bare white architecture. An influential 1930 MoMA exhibition secured it as a museum aesthetic.

What is your favorite workplace intype? Comment down below. 



Additional Resources

Chiara, J. D., Panero, J., & Zelnik, M. (2001). Office Spaces. In Time-saver standards for interior design and space planning (pp. 223-304). New York: McGraw-Hill. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/10NZ7vhoT2fYbz5UXPwcMdDJLbaQTAU9c/view?usp=sharing.


Piotrowski, C. M. (2016). The office. In Designing commercial interiors. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sex9PmxXMazPeJXSBU5ZUg6uc7MgMPpJ/view?usp=sharing.


Xie, Y. (2010). Smart Space: Office Design. Hong Kong: Design Media Publishing Limited. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QsS3tpZRAVATE2_dMP7t2nQi9bmvmeYy/view?usp=sharing.


Yin, S. (2011). Workplace Practice Intypes. Retrieved January 12, 2021, from https://onlineinteriordesignstudio.blogspot.com/2021/01/workplace-intypes-interior-archetypes.html