Beyond size and configuration, Duffy notes the societal differences in regulating environmental conditions. A huge difference in North American versus Northern European buildings is the artificial environment. Northern Europeans have a hatred of the artificial environment. People there want a natural environment that they can control. North American spaces in general tend to be more uniform, with a consistency of the color or the spacial arrangement.
European offices tend to be more informal, less controlled, and more accidental.
With architects and interior designers working throughout the world, just who s interpretation wins out when it comes to advising businesses on the most efficient use of space. The building ought to reflect and enhance the cultural condition of the society in which it is being built, say Duffy. Otherwise, you might be imposing values on a society that could be damaging. Designers should understand the range of the cultural influences and should take political responsibility for what they do.