Introducing the Harmonic Principles™
A Transformative Approach to Strategic Design
By Valerie Jardon | Strategy Director
IA Interior Architects’ commitment to innovation and excellence drives every design solution we create. In an ever-changing world, the needs of businesses, employees, clients, and consumers evolve rapidly. Our mission is to remain at the forefront of transformation, delivering spaces that empower people and organizations. That is why we are proud to introduce IA’s Harmonic Principles™— a revolutionary framework that blends strategy, design, and science in perfect harmony.
What Are the Harmonic Principles™?
There are nine harmonic principles, each rooted in decades of peer-reviewed research that explores the power of place. Developed by IA Strategy Director, Valerie Jardon and third-party reviewed by Dr. Sally Augustin, a leading environmental psychologist, these principles are grounded in scientific theories that go beyond aesthetics and utility. They provide a robust methodology for aligning physical spaces with organizational values, delivering measurable results by enhancing performance, engagement, and satisfaction. This actionable, evidence-based approach ensures every design decision is both impactful and meaningful.
Salient Features
Carefully selected elements that intuitively guide attention and enhance constructive in-space experiences.
Design for “Satisfaction”
Sensory Richness
Varied sensory experiences that elevate users’ moods.
Design for “Vibrancy”
Sustainable Revitalization
Spaces and practices that nourish users for mental refreshment, for example absorbing contact with nature or people, hands-on creative moments, physical exercise or self-reflection.
Design for “Reflection”
Collective Growth
Environments that sustain users professionally and psychologically to benefit the organization, team, and individual, in part via opportunities to connect and build relationships that allow for learning and development.
Design for “Fulfillment”
Absolute Inclusion
The holistic understanding of user diversity, personality, life experiences/training, and cultures guides decision making to generate options that boost bonds to others and to places.
Design for “Attachment”
Authentic Purpose
Design that champions global, organizational, team, and individual needs to build shared passion and unity through meaningful space, activities, and experiences.
Design for “Meaning”
Positive Affordances
Design that intuitively promotes wellness, safety, and low stress levels via thoughtful views and circulation routes and by supporting pleasant sensory experiences and interactions with others.
Design for “Encouragement”
Bespoke Flexibility
Spaces that empower individual and team analytical performance and where users can control work location and conditions, including, for instance, options to adjust territories.
Design for “Competence”
Equitable Beauty
Design where welcoming beauty resonates for all, through shared wonder, equity, and ethical sustainability.
Design for “Wellbeing"
Drawing on four key areas of science — anthropology, sociology, psychology, and neuroscience — these disciplines provide a comprehensive understanding of how humans interact with their environments, allowing IA Interior Architects to create spaces that are as functional as they are transformative.
Anthropology: Understanding Culture and Identity
Anthropology offers insights into how human cultures shape behavior, values, and interactions. By applying anthropological principles, we ensure that designs resonate with each organization's unique cultural fabric. Design strategies that stem from anthropological research celebrate cultural diversity, supporting organizational rituals and identity.
Sociology: Fostering Connections and Collaboration
Sociology helps us understand the dynamics of social interactions and the structures that influence relationships. Spaces crafted with these research findings enhance connections, strengthen collaboration, and foster community.
Psychology: Enhancing Well-Being and Performance
Psychological research highlights the critical role of environments in shaping emotions, behaviors, and cognitive performance. This understanding drives our emphasis on designing spaces that promote well-being, focus, and productivity. Environments designed with this research in mind contribute to mental health, stress reduction, and encourage productivity.
Neuroscience: Designing for Brain Function and Behavior
Neuroscience delves into how the brain processes and responds to physical environments. By leveraging findings on sensory stimuli and cognitive load, environments designed with this science in mind can enhance engagement and efficiency. This research provides insights into brain function to guide sensory-rich designs that balance stimulation and focus, provide user control, and reduce cognitive fatigue.
Inside the Dimensions of Harmony
The nine Harmonic Principles™ and their associated theories live within the core of our four overlapping dimensions—spatial, experiential, relational, and client-driven — with each dimension offering a unique lens for translating the principles into transformative design strategies.
Spatial Harmony refers to environments that support both mental and physical well-being by offering clarity, security, functionality, and comfort. For example, adaptable spaces that cater to fundamental human needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness — form the foundation of Spatial Harmony. Within this dimension are the principles of Positive Affordances, Bespoke Flexibility, and Equitable Beauty.
Experiential Harmony refers to key elements that enhance organizational and individual performance as well as positive moods/experiences in a sensory-rich space. Using biophilic design and other elements, Experiential Harmony creates compelling environments where people can achieve their full potential professionally and socially. Within this dimension are the principles of Salient Features, Sensory Richness, and Sustainable Revitalization.
Relational Harmony refers to spaces that align with individual and organizational long-term objectives while nurturing meaning — where everyone feels welcome and appreciated in environments that reflect the organization’s values, mission, and sustainability goals. Within this dimension are the principles of Collective Growth, Absolute Inclusion, and Authentic Purpose.
Client-Driven refers to each organization’s unique culture, mission, and set of goals. The design of spaces that support cultural resonance ensures solutions that authentically reflect a client’s values, mission, and brand identity. Paired with dynamic adaptability, these strategic designs evolve seamlessly with client needs, accommodating growth, embracing new technologies, and adapting to future work models.
A Commitment to Customization and Measurable Outcomes
IA's holistic and flexible approach is designed to meet each client's unique needs. The Harmonic Principles™ can guide high-level strategic designs or address specific projects while respecting regional and organizational nuances. This adaptability ensures that spaces evolve seamlessly with technological advancements, shifting priorities, and sustainability goals.
To capture these priorities and create actionable plans, tools like our Project Fingerprint visually clarify goals, assess impacts, and align design strategies with organizational values. Each project is grounded by a clear why, offering a direct path to meaningful outcomes. In a world where purpose and meaning are paramount, leveraging the Harmonic Principles™ delivers spaces that are human-centric, goal-oriented, and ethically and sustainably crafted. For clients seeking measurable impact, every principle is paired with a set of outcomes that we can help track, building a compelling story around return on investment.
Join Us in Redefining Place
The introduction of the Harmonic Principles™marks a bold new chapter in IA’s journey, combining science, creativity, and purpose to redefine strategic design. Whether planning a new space or reimagining an existing one, the Harmonic Principles™ offer a clear roadmap for success, enabling organizations to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
We approach each project as a partnership, collaborating closely with clients to uncover their unique needs and aspirations. By blending our design expertise with client vision, we craft environments that inspire, empower, and deliver exceptional performance. The future of strategic design is here, more harmonious than ever to allow for the creation of a workplace that reflects client goals, resonates with their values, and empowers their teams to achieve their best results in a bespoke, human-centered environment.
This is the first in a series of posts that will explore each of the Harmonic Principles™.
