In conversation with Antonia Walmsley, Head of Strategy and Design at Unispace Global

Antonia Walmsley, Head of Strategy and Design at Unispace Global

Being Maori & Multicultural: How Heritage Drives Design with Antonia Walmsley

Listen & watch

Spotify

YouTube

Share

Can a multicultural approach to design elevate design philosophy for the better? In the latest episode of Space by Stansons, host Guy Stanley welcomes Antonia Walmsley, Head of Strategy and Design at Unispace Global, to explore how cultural heritage shapes workplace design philosophy, the evolution from traditional architecture to innovative design-build approaches, and the delicate balance between structure and creativity in modern workspaces.

What You’ll Learn

How indigenous principles of community and hospitality can transform modern workplace design
Why structured routines enable rather than restrict creative design thinking
The evolution of design-and-build from startup to global enterprise, maintaining entrepreneurial spirit
How to balance global brand consistency with local cultural authenticity in workplace design
Why workplace needs remain fundamentally unchanged post-COVID, despite shifting dynamics
The importance of understanding individual client culture in workplace strategy
Why successful workplace design must consider both psychological and practical needs

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on why cultural diversity is key to design diversity.

Antonia Walmsley is the Head of Strategy and Design at Unispace Global, where she leads the European design team and brings a unique perspective shaped by her Maori heritage and architectural background. With over 15 years of experience, including 9 years at Unispace, she has been instrumental in transforming the company from a startup in New Zealand to a global workplace design leader. Antonia's expertise spans traditional architecture, design-and-build approaches, and creating culturally responsive workspaces across diverse European markets.

"From a community point of view, it is a really interesting culture, and it shapes a lot of my thinking. A part of being Maori is being part of the community, but it's got such a heritage of storytelling and philosophies around caretaking and looking after the planet and looking after people. Until Europeans came over, it was a very oral culture with stories expressed in craft and art rather than written words."