Lauren Christenson: Meet Our Experts Series
Leading Practices for Today’s Interior Spaces
Lauren Christenson, IIDA, was recently named Interior Design Practice Leader at OHM Advisors. As part of our Meet Our Experts series, we’re chatting with Lauren about her design approach, how interior design is evolving, and how spaces and amenities are attracting people to the office after a pandemic changed how we work.
Quick Facts
- Title: Interior Design Practice Leader
- Years in the Industry: 16
Shaping spaces that foster community
Lauren joined OHM Advisors in 2019 after gaining a decade of experience designing learning spaces for K-12 schools and higher education. Since then, Lauren has helped grow and develop the interior design discipline at OHM Advisors, where she appreciates the opportunity to advise clients and foster a sense of community.
When did you know you wanted to be an interior designer?
From a young age, I loved drawing and doodling, building forts, and rearranging my room. When I was an architecture student, I was introduced to interior design during my first studio class and knew I wanted to continue that path. Lawrence Tech offered opportunities to pursue multiple degree pathways, so I completed bachelor's degrees in both architecture and interior design. This background has enhanced my work here at OHM Advisors, because we really lean into the relationship between both disciplines.
What do you enjoy most about interior design and what you do?
So many things! I love the initial concept development, when I engage with a client early on to not only understand their needs but also bring an outside perspective to support their bigger picture goals. I also really enjoy engaging in space planning and specifying furniture that complements the design and interiors to create a cohesive space for our clients.
I love the initial concept development, when I engage with a client early on to not only understand their needs but also bring an outside perspective to support their bigger picture goals.
What do you appreciate about working at OHM Advisors?
When I joined OHM Advisors, I brought my expertise in educational design with me. Here, I’ve had the chance to broaden my experience across various building types, all while recognizing that community advancement is the common thread in everything we do. Whether it’s municipal or civic spaces serving the public, educational environments supporting student learning, or healthcare spaces providing healing and wellness, these projects are vital to their communities.
I also appreciate the opportunity to work with an incredible team of talented designers. Their creativity and approach to design challenges me and brings me energy every day. In addition, because OHM Advisors is a multi-disciplinary firm, we can connect across services to help address clients’ challenges and further strengthen our partnerships.
I’ve had the chance to broaden my experience across various building types, all while recognizing that community advancement is the common thread in everything we do.
How have you seen interior design evolve? What are some approaches or developments you’re bringing to your clients’ projects today?
Regardless of the project type, we aim to provide options for the people who use the space. Not every user works or learns the same way, and not everyone wants to have the same experience, so we partner with our clients to provide a range of opportunities for people. That could look like collaboration spaces, areas for focused work, or something else entirely. Another evolution has been the infusion of comforts of home into work and even educational environments. For example, cozy gathering areas that feel more like living rooms, kitchenettes with café tables, and rich textures throughout.
I also try to bring flexibility and adaptability to all my projects. Clients tell us about their current needs, but we also want to know what the future holds. And while none of us have a crystal ball to predict that, we can at least build in flexibility, so the space is easily adaptable in the future.
Clients tell us about their current needs, but we also want to know what the future holds. And while none of us have a crystal ball to predict that, we can at least build in flexibility, so the space is easily adaptable in the future.
Do you have any examples that reflect those trends?
IGS Energy is a fantastic example of creating engaging and adaptable spaces. We recently renovated their corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, which is pretty cool because we designed the original four-story building years ago. Like many companies, IGS Energy had a lot of employees working from home due to the COVID pandemic. They wanted to explore ways to make time spent at the office valuable to their employees, giving opportunities to bring people together because people are the heart of the organization.
We started by creating a master plan for their first floor, which previously included a large, underutilized space. The new lobby now includes a “coffee-to-cocktails” concept with café space that accommodates both workday activities and after-hours events. It links to interior training spaces with movable partitions and exterior entertainment areas, including a patio and pickleball court. Another playful detail is a speakeasy-type door that connects the training room and the café.
This renovation acknowledges the importance of social interactions, whether with clients or colleagues, as an opportunity to strengthen relationships. It illustrates that work can happen in different settings, not just in a conference room or a desk. IGS Energy trusted us to help bring this vision to life, and I'm thrilled with the result.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
I’m a mother of two busy kiddos, so I often find that I'm the taxi driver to their activities, whether it’s sports, Girl Scouts, or spending time with their friends. For the past five years, I’ve been a school board member, which feeds my passion for education and giving back to my community. When I do get some free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, being social, working out at Orange Theory, and talking about working out at Orange Theory! I like to keep myself busy, so the calendar is always full.
Click here to contact Lauren for more information about interior design services at OHM Advisors.
