AI, Hybrid Collaboration, and the Next Evolution of the Office with Steelcase’s Allan Smith
Key Highlights
- Strategies for supporting equitable hybrid meetings and integrating AI into workplace environments.
- The role of sustainability, neurodiversity, and well-being in redefining successful office spaces.
- Predictions on how office spaces will adapt to new technologies and evolving workstyles over the next decade.
- Emphasis on creating workplaces that foster community, culture, and creativity for diverse workforces.
The workplace is evolving faster than ever—and the office must evolve with it. In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Allan W. Smith, President of the Americas and Chief Product Officer at Steelcase, to explore how decades of its workplace research are shaping the future of work.
Smith shares insights into designing offices that balance privacy with collaboration, support equitable hybrid meetings, and harness the power of AI. He also discusses how sustainability, neurodiversity, and well-being are redefining what a successful workplace looks like. Plus, we look ahead to the next decade and how space will adapt to new technologies and workstyles yet to emerge.
Whether you’re an architect, designer, or workplace strategist, this conversation will change the way you think about the office—and its role in building community, culture, and creativity.
Meet Our Guest
Allan Smith, president of Americas and chief product officer, Steelcase Inc.
Allan is a seasoned executive in the office furniture industry, known for his exceptional leadership in driving product innovation through insightful strategies, a customer-centered approach and commitment to human-centered design. Throughout his 30+ year tenure, he has achieved remarkable revenue growth and diversification by successfully leading the company’s recent acquisitions.
In his current dual role, Allan provides regional leadership and accountability for the Americas business, focused on strategy, execution, driving profitability, and leading the design and development of innovative and competitive products.
Previously, Allan was chief revenue officer, responsible for all global revenue-generating functions at the company. His leadership spanned Steelcase Workspace Futures, Global Design and Product Engineering, Marketing, Communications, and Sales, driving insights into the future of work and ensuring the development and launch of products would meet emerging customer needs.
Prior to this role, Allan served as vice president, global marketing at Steelcase, where he led all global marketing functions. This included strategic oversight of the company’s product portfolio, lifecycle management, product development and launch, communications, and branding efforts. He and his teams were instrumental in translating research and insights into innovative products and applications.
Allan was also previously vice president of marketing for Steelcase in Europe, where he led cross-functional teams in research, product development, engineering, design, and marketing communications. His extensive experience since joining the company in 1991 includes leadership roles in environmental strategy and various marketing and communications capacities at both Steelcase and Designtex.
Beyond his leadership at Steelcase, Allan currently serves on the board of directors of Mannington Mills. Allan has also dedicated time to the Leelanau Conservancy and the Grand Rapids Public Museum, contributing to the preservation of natural spaces and the enrichment of community culture.
Allan earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Key Moments in This Episode
00:00:00 – 00:02:03 | Introduction & Welcome
Host Robert Nieminen sets up the conversation for the episode and talks about the evolution of the workplace over recent years before welcoming Allan Smith to the podcast to share his insights with listeners.
00:02:04 – 00:05:48 | The Evolution of the Modern Workplace
Allan Smith reflects on 34 years at Steelcase and how the company’s research-driven approach informs design. He traces the evolution from cubicle systems to open plans and hybrid offices, highlighting the ongoing balance between collaboration and privacy.
00:05:48 – 00:09:09 | The Return-to-Office and Community-Based Design
Smith explains how the pandemic reshaped work expectations and why one-size-fits-all strategies don’t work. He introduces Steelcase’s “community-based design” approach, modeled after urban planning principles that foster belonging and engagement.
00:09:44 – 00:12:06 | Living on Screen and Hybrid Collaboration
Workplaces are increasingly designed for digital collaboration. Smith discusses how to create equitable hybrid experiences through better camera placement, sightlines, and technology integration to help employees “see and be seen.”
00:12:17 – 00:14:46 | AI’s Growing Role in the Workplace
Artificial intelligence is redefining work, creating new job types and tools that change how teams collaborate. Smith describes Steelcase’s exploration of “AI-agentic” spaces that integrate intelligent systems into meetings and workflows.
00:15:00 – 00:17:18 | Designing for Hybrid Equity
Steelcase’s Ocular product and immersive displays enable inclusive, large-scale collaboration. Smith explains how such technologies support distributed teams and reduce travel while improving connection and engagement.
00:17:41 – 00:19:15 | The Power of Physical Space
Physical environments help build trust and social capital. Smith notes that shared, in-person experiences remain vital for culture, innovation, and effective communication.
00:19:15 – 00:21:32 | How Design Influences Mood and Performance
Environmental elements like color, lighting, and acoustics impact how people feel and perform. Smith shares examples from psychology and workplace research that link spatial quality to productivity and well-being.
00:21:36 – 00:24:55 | The AI Supercycle and Agile Space
The rapid rise of AI demands adaptable environments. Smith discusses modular solutions like Campers and Dens that allow organizations to reconfigure space quickly as work evolves.
00:25:02 – 00:29:15 | A New Sustainability Mindset
Sustainability now extends beyond materials to include circularity, take-back programs, and lifecycle accountability. Smith outlines Steelcase’s efforts to double recycled content in top-selling chairs and help clients meet carbon goals.
00:29:16 – 00:33:52 | Well-Being and Neurodiversity
Smith explores how workplaces can support mental health and neurodiversity by offering a range of environments for focus, retreat, and social connection. Biophilic design and sensory control play key roles in promoting balance.
00:34:01 – 00:36:14 | Designing for Community
Steelcase’s Campers and Dens exemplify flexible, human-centered design. These modular spaces foster creativity, connection, and informal gathering — essential ingredients for workplace culture.
00:36:29 – 00:38:13 | Space as a Strategic Asset
Workplace design is now a strategic priority for HR, IT, and leadership. Flexibility and user choice are key to performance, retention, and innovation.
00:39:00 – 00:40:18 | Looking Ahead: AI, Robotics, and New Work Models
Smith predicts workplaces will soon adapt to roles and technologies that don’t yet exist, emphasizing the need to embrace rather than fear change.
00:40:43 – 00:41:59 | Designing for Community and Longevity
He concludes with a call to design workplaces like vibrant cities—diverse, adaptive, and continuously evolving—to keep organizations resilient and engaged.
About the Author
Robert Nieminen
Chief Content Director
Chief Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources
Robert Nieminen is the Chief Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.
He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.
Known for his sharp editorial vision and data-informed strategies, Robert focuses on audience growth, engagement, and content monetization, leveraging AI tools and SEO-driven insights to future-proof B2B publishing.