Two of the most popular reality t.v. series are about redesigning and transforming buildings. In Grand Design and George Clark’s Amazing Spaces, old, often semi derelict,   buildings that were once pubs, police stations, water towers or shops are transformed into unique designer homes. The process rarely goes smoothly, old buildings present their own set of unique challenges all of which require creativity, determination and a lot of hard work but the results are often amazing.

All these projects have in common an individual with the vision and imagination to see what the buildings could be if they were opened out, if walls were removed, more light let in, a more energy efficient structure introduced and access improved. The most impressive transformations resist the temptation to take a recking ball to the old building instead they retaining the buildings character and give it a new lease of life by a sympathetic restoration.

It occurred to me there are parallels with transforming organisations. Knocking down Ivory towers, breaching silos, filling in  moats , changing the management structure to one that is more efficient and effective, removing barriers in order to open up the organisation and creating a working environment better suited to the needs of a modern workforce.

What makes these programs so interesting and entertaining is just how difficult it is to turn a neglected and dilapidated building into a dream home. Those involved often underestimate the work needed and the length of time it will take. They come up against unanticipated problems , crumbling foundations, planning restrictions, adverse weather, or simply the desire to make the most of cutting edge technology and new materials requiring traditional building skills to be replaced by new skills and different ways doing things.

Organisations like buildings can suffer from neglect, designed for a one purpose but now used for another they need to be adapted. If an organisation is to have a new long term future it needs to be modernised which requires vision. It will inevitably take longer than initially assumed and it will require creativity and determination to over come the unanticipated problems. But the result will justify the effort.