The Playbook of A Well-Travelled Designer with Scott Malin

A new season of architecture and design is upon us as the traditional barriers that once defined the world are shifting on a dime. In the latest episode of Space by Stansons, host Guy Stanley welcomes the well-travelled, experienced and versatile Scott Malin, to explore the evolution of workplace design. Taking from his time with industry giants like Gensler, BDG and Third Way, the pair trace the changes in architectural and design business practices, the pros and cons of the Design & Build model, capturing the geographical and cultural essence of a place in the design of its buildings, and the importance of paying attention to the little things, in every step of the process. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation, ripe with insights on thriving in every season of the architectural world and expanding the horizons of workplace design to brand clubhouses.

A new season of architecture and design is upon us as the traditional barriers that once defined the world are shifting on a dime. In the latest episode of Space by Stansons, host Guy Stanley welcomes the well-travelled, experienced and versatile Scott Malin to explore the evolution of workplace design.

What You’ll Learn

The pros and cons of the Design & Build model and how to adapt with the changing structures of work
What you need to know about the WPP way of design - how it helps and how it challenges designers
How to capture the geographical and cultural essence of a place in the design of its buildings
Why paying attention to the little details can make or break your project
Unique approaches to expand the horizons of workplace design - from just a space to brand clubhouses

Scott Malin is an accomplished architect and workplace design specialist with over 18 years of experience in transformative commercial interior projects. Having worked with industry leaders, including Gensler, BDG, and, most recently, Thirdway Group, Malin has specialized in complex multinational workspace consolidation and brand integration projects. His notable achievements include leading major WPP campus developments across Europe, where he successfully integrated multiple agency brands while preserving individual corporate identities. His expertise in managing large-scale projects for global brands, particularly his work on WPP's European portfolio, including Amsterdam's Amstel Dock and Madrid’s La Matriz demonstrates his deep understanding of creating spaces that balance brand identity, functionality, and user experience.

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Episode Highlights

[00:00] Intro
[03:08] Early Projects: Abu Dhabi, Canada & WPPs
[09:20] How Well Does a WPP Really Work?
[13:09] The Inner Workings of the WPP Model
[18:24] The Challenges of the WPP Model
[24:36] Integrating Geography and Culture into Design
[30:13] Learning to Dance with Your Clients
[31:42] The Changing Seasons of Architecture
[35:16] The Power of a Good Exhibition
[39:25] One Size Doesn’t Fit All
[45:18] Scott’s Wildest Dreams
[50:06] Books & Podcasts: Newest Inspirations

Episode Resources:

Scott Malin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-malin-089b8727

Guy Stanley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guystanley

Learn more about Stansons Group Ltd. here: https://stansons.co.uk