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In the latest episode of On the Table with Ashley, we welcome designer and climate activist Verda Alexander, whose work lives at the intersection of innovation, intention, and environmental advocacy. From crafting some of Silicon Valley’s most influential office spaces to co-creating the Eco Playbook—a guide to sustainable design practice—Verda’s path is one of constant evolution. Her story resonates deeply with Âme Atendre’s ethos: creating spaces (and lives) rooted in connection, sustainability, and soul.
As co-founder of Studio O+X, Verda helped shape the work environments of tech powerhouses like Facebook, Microsoft, and Slack—spaces where creativity and productivity are always in tension. She shares with Ashley how these projects taught her how design directly influences not only how we work, but how we feel while we work—an insight we deeply value at Âme Atendre, where thoughtful living means recognizing the energy within our environments.
But when the pandemic reshaped the way we relate to work and home, Verda began asking new questions. Is innovation always worth chasing? What happens when we no longer want to bring the office home? Her reflections invite us to pause and consider how our values show up in the spaces we create—at work, and within ourselves.
One of the most intriguing moments in the conversation is Verda’s take on friction—a concept she sees as essential to good design. She tells the story of naturalist John Muir’s bed, which doubled as an alarm clock by physically ejecting him onto the floor. “A little bit of friction,” Verda says, “is sometimes what makes us most productive.”
We live in a culture that smooths out every edge. Offices today are filled with what she calls “pleasure assets”—the ping-pong tables, nap pods, and endless snacks. But Verda challenges that model: What if we just did our work, and then went home in six hours instead of twelve? It’s a provocation that echoes Âme Atendre’s core belief: less can be more, and presence—not overindulgence—is the real luxury.
Sustainability isn’t just a feature of Verda’s designs—it’s their foundation. Through her climate-forward work, Verda brings together community, justice, and design in a way that moves beyond trend. She believes in the power of storytelling and invites more women to step into the sustainability conversation, especially in design spaces that have too often excluded them.
This commitment to both climate and community aligns beautifully with Âme Atendre’s mission: to create a world where beauty is inseparable from responsibility, and where every object or experience is a reflection of care—for the self, for others, and for the planet.
Listen to the full episode now wherever you stream podcasts, and explore how Verda’s vision may inspire your own space—whether that’s a home, a studio, or the landscape of your daily routine.
