Recipes for Systemic Change - Helsinki Design Lab

132The HDL Studio ModelBe Casual but SeriousTo find a suitable venue for our 2010 Studios we startedwith three of Helsinki’s best cafes and radiated out fromthere until we found spaces to consider. The reason for thisis simple: the Studio needs to get out every now and then,and a short walk to the cafe for a snack and some caffeine isa wonderful way to punctuate the day without dramaticallybreaking the flow. Being able to step out and recharge everynow and then helps create a relaxed atmosphere. Just becausethe content is serious stuff does not mean it has to be stuffy,nor does it mean going too far in the opposite direction tocreate an atmosphere of enforced fun.Eat RightBrain work can be deceptively exhausting. Although itmight not seem taxing, it is easy for a group of people whoare working hard and fast to forget about their stomachsand exhaust themselves. For this reason, you might have tomake polite inquiries around lunch time or see if the Studiois hungry for lunch or a snack in the middle of the afternoon.Meals don’t have to be fancy but they do have to be tasty,nutritious and filling. To avoid sending your team into a foodcoma it is a good idea to avoid heavy midday meals. We paidextra attention to provide local foods that would give visitorsa sample of Finland’s best.