Smart Temperature, Shared Control.
Google Nest Redesign
UX Design · UI Design
Redesigning Temperature Control to Bring Comfort and Joy to the Workplace
Smart Temperature, Shared Control.
Google Nest Redesign
UX Design · UI Design
Redesigning Temperature Control to Bring Comfort and Joy to the Workplace
THE REQUEST
Redesign the Nest thermostat for shared office spaces to be cheerful and friendly.
Conflicting preferences in group settings
Lack of clarity in who controls the thermostat
Inability to adjust temperature without disrupting others
No structured way to override when discomfort becomes significant
Efficiency-driven
Autonomy-seeking
Emotionally aware
Collaborative
Working Professionals
Our target users are professionals in shared workspaces who value both personal comfort and team collaboration. They’re tech-savvy, comfort-conscious, and efficiency-driven, seeking intuitive tools that respect individual preferences without disrupting group dynamics. They appreciate emotionally aware, friendly interfaces that offer autonomy within shared control systems.
Comfort-conscious
Highly Connected
Target Users
GOAL
How might we design a smart thermostat system for collaborative workspaces that balances individual comfort, group control, and clear override flexibility, while feeling friendly and intuitive to use?
How might we design a smart thermostat system for collaborative workspaces that balances individual comfort, group control, and clear override flexibility, while feeling friendly and intuitive to use?
Solution
Seamless backend integration with Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Chat allows the system to automatically detect meeting schedules, send timely notifications, and coordinate room availability.
This deep integration ensures that temperature settings adapt in real-time to occupancy, eliminating the need for manual input. When a meeting is scheduled, the room is automatically prepared for comfort. When it ends, the system reverts to eco-mode.
By linking with the tools employees already use daily, we reduce friction and enhance automation—creating a more intelligent, responsive office environment.
Collaboration Interaction
In shared workspaces, comfort shouldn’t be a competition. Our system invites each user to express how they feel—hot, cold, or comfortable—through the app or thermostat interface. Rather than giving control to just one person, the system uses everyone’s input to calculate a balanced group temperature that suits the majority.
This approach fosters a sense of inclusivity and shared comfort, replacing individual control with collective well-being.
In shared workspaces, comfort shouldn’t be a competition. Our system invites each user to express how they feel—hot, cold, or comfortable—through the app or thermostat interface. Rather than giving control to just one person, the system uses everyone’s input to calculate a balanced group temperature that suits the majority.
This approach fosters a sense of inclusivity and shared comfort, replacing individual control with collective well-being.
Collaboration Interaction
Override
To avoid thermostat conflicts and maintain fairness, physical adjustments can only be made when all users in the room agree. This safeguard ensures that any override is a democratic decision rather than a unilateral change.
By encouraging consensus-based control, the system promotes respect among coworkers and reduces disruptions caused by constant readjustments.
9:41
Collaborative Temperature Control
9:41
Enter how you are feeling
from your phone
Home Page
Home Page
Room Page
Eco Leaderboard
Profile
Override
Home Page
9:41
Enter how you are feeling
from your phone
Collaborative Temperature Control
9:41
Room Page
Reserving Rooms by Department
9:41
HR
Design
Accounting
Marketing
9:41
9:41
Gain points by working with
department to activate Eco Mode
Personal Preference Range
9:41
Abraham Jacobs
aj@gmail.com
My Preferences
68
°F|
72°F
Notification
Accessibility
Accounts
About
9:41
Profile
Preferences contribute to
average room temperature
Set your preferences through the user profile
Eco Leaderboard
Contact
shuyii0315@gmail.com
+1 9125072158
2025
Imprint
Privacy Policy
Value of Work
The ROI of Comfort: How Smart Office Design Pays Off
A more comfortable workplace isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a strategic investment. By recovering 75 underutilized desks (valued at $600/month each), companies can save up to $540,000 annually in real estate costs. Enhancing workplace comfort further boosts attendance by 15%, bringing 75 new employees back into the office.
This shift fuels productivity:
275 employees × 10% productivity gain × $65,000 average salary = $1.787 million/year in added output.
Add that to recovered space value, and the combined return exceeds $2.3 million annually.
Smart design, tangible returns—comfort is not a luxury. It’s a performance driver.
Data informed by FTI Consulting and “ComFeel: Productivity is a Matter of the Senses Too.”
$70,125
Estimated Project Investment Value
Scenario Setup
*Based on results from an FTI Consulting Survey and the "ComFeel: Productivity is a Matter of the Senses Too" study.
($600/month × 12) × 75
(avg. cost of underutilized desk) x (recovered desks)
$540,000/yr saved
Recovered Desks
Productivity Upliftment
275 × 10% × $65,000
(new no. of employees) x (in-office productivity advantage) x (avg. salary)
$1.787 M/yr
Productivity Gain
Annual Business value
~2.33 M/yr
Combined value
Friendly and Cheerful Redesign
Smart Temperature, Shared Control.
Problem Space
46%
of employees say their workplace is either too hot or too cold, affecting their productivity.
CareerBuilder.com
GOAL
Seamless backend integration with Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Chat allows the system to automatically detect meeting schedules, send timely notifications, and coordinate room availability.
This deep integration ensures that temperature settings adapt in real-time to occupancy, eliminating the need for manual input. When a meeting is scheduled, the room is automatically prepared for comfort. When it ends, the system reverts to eco-mode.
By linking with the tools employees already use daily, we reduce friction and enhance automation—creating a more intelligent, responsive office environment.
Solution
Overview
My Role
UI & UX Design
Visual & UX direction, ensuring design consistency and logical user flows.
Timeline
March 2025 – May 2025
The Team
Abhishek Bage, Shrushti Gajera, Siddharth Madaan, Jordan Mcmorris, Shuyi Yuan
Google Nest Redesign
UX Design · UI Design
Redesigning Temperature Control to Bring Comfort and Joy to the Workplace
Smart Temperature, Shared Control.
Smart Temperature, Shared Control.
My Role
UI & UX Design
Visual & UX direction, ensuring design consistency and logical user flows.
Timeline
March 2025 – May 2025
The Team
Abhishek Bage, Shrushti Gajera, Siddharth Madaan, Jordan Mcmorris, Shuyi Yuan
Introduction
Google Nest Thermostat is a smart temperature control system designed to optimize home energy use, automate comfort, and learn from user behavior. In its current form, Nest prioritizes individual household use.
In our redesign, we reimagine the Nest experience specifically for collaborative office environments, where shared spaces require dynamic, personalized temperature
Our version introduces:
A unified ecosystem combining a companion app and thermostat interface
Integration of user temperature preferences
Real-time collaboration during meetings and co-working sessions
This new model prioritizes friendliness, clarity, and shared agency, giving employees more ownership and transparency in how workspace environments are managed.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
(3rd Generation )
THE REQUEST
Redesign the Nest thermostat for shared office spaces to be cheerful and friendly.
Problem Space
46%
of employees say their workplace is either too hot or too cold, affecting their productivity.
CareerBuilder.com
Inability to adjust temperature without disrupting others
No structured way to override when discomfort becomes significant
Conflicting preferences in group settings
Lack of clarity in who controls the thermostat
Working Professionals
Our target users are professionals in shared workspaces who value both personal comfort and team collaboration. They’re tech-savvy, comfort-conscious, and efficiency-driven, seeking intuitive tools that respect individual preferences without disrupting group dynamics. They appreciate emotionally aware, friendly interfaces that offer autonomy within shared control systems.
GOAL
How might we design a smart thermostat system for collaborative workspaces that balances individual comfort, group control, and clear override flexibility, while feeling friendly and intuitive to use?
Solution
Seamless backend integration with Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Chat allows the system to automatically detect meeting schedules, send timely notifications, and coordinate room availability.
This deep integration ensures that temperature settings adapt in real-time to occupancy, eliminating the need for manual input. When a meeting is scheduled, the room is automatically prepared for comfort. When it ends, the system reverts to eco-mode.
By linking with the tools employees already use daily, we reduce friction and enhance automation—creating a more intelligent, responsive office environment.
Each user selects how they feel—hot, cold, or comfortable. The system calculates a shared setting based on everyone’s input, encouraging balance over control.
Collaborative
Temperature Setting
Teams earn rewards by saving energy. Eco Mode is no longer a chore—it's a shared mission.
Gamified
Eco Mode
Users appreciated the idea of shared temperature control, but many were unsure how their input influenced the group setting.
Temporary
Override
Smart Office
Integration
Meeting schedules auto-sync to the system through chat bot. When rooms are unoccupied, it reverts to a company-set eco temperature.
Override
To avoid thermostat conflicts and maintain fairness, physical adjustments can only be made when all users in the room agree. This safeguard ensures that any override is a democratic decision rather than a unilateral change.
By encouraging consensus-based control, the system promotes respect among coworkers and reduces disruptions caused by constant readjustments.
Value of Work
The ROI of Comfort: How Smart Office Design Pays Off
A more comfortable workplace isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a strategic investment. By recovering 75 underutilized desks (valued at $600/month each), companies can save up to $540,000 annually in real estate costs. Enhancing workplace comfort further boosts attendance by 15%, bringing 75 new employees back into the office.
This shift fuels productivity:
275 employees × 10% productivity gain × $65,000 average salary = $1.787 million/year in added output.
Add that to recovered space value, and the combined return exceeds $2.3 million annually.
Smart design, tangible returns—comfort is not a luxury. It’s a performance driver.
Data informed by FTI Consulting and “ComFeel: Productivity is a Matter of the Senses Too.”
Scenario Setup
*Based on results from an FTI Consulting Survey and the "ComFeel: Productivity is a Matter of the Senses Too" study.
($600/month × 12) × 75
(avg. cost of underutilized desk) x (recovered desks)
$540,000/yr saved
Recovered Desks
Productivity Upliftment
275 × 10% × $65,000
(new no. of employees) x (in-office productivity advantage) x (avg. salary)
$1.787 M/yr
Productivity Gain
~2.33 M/yr
Combined value
Friendly and Cheerful Redesign
Smart Temperature, Shared Control.
Contact
2025
Imprint
Privacy Policy
shuyii0315@gmail.com
+1 9125072158
Overview
Profile
Introduction
Google Nest Thermostat is a smart temperature control system designed to optimize home energy use, automate comfort, and learn from user behavior. In its current form, Nest prioritizes individual household use.
In our redesign, we reimagine the Nest experience specifically for collaborative office environments, where shared spaces require dynamic, personalized temperature
Our version introduces:
A unified ecosystem combining a companion app and thermostat interface
Integration of user temperature preferences
Real-time collaboration during meetings and co-working sessions
This new model prioritizes friendliness, clarity, and shared agency, giving employees more ownership and transparency in how workspace environments are managed.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
(3rd Generation )
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
(3rd Generation )
Working Professionals
Our target users are professionals in shared workspaces who value both personal comfort and team collaboration. They’re tech-savvy, comfort-conscious, and efficiency-driven, seeking intuitive tools that respect individual preferences without disrupting group dynamics. They appreciate emotionally aware, friendly interfaces that offer autonomy within shared control systems.
Overview
My Role
UI & UX Design
Visual & UX direction, ensuring design consistency and logical user flows.
Timeline
March 2025 – May 2025
The Team
Abhishek Bage, Shrushti Gajera, Siddharth Madaan, Jordan Mcmorris, Shuyi Yuan
Inability to adjust temperature without disrupting others
No structured way to override when discomfort becomes significant
Conflicting preferences in group settings
Lack of clarity in who controls the thermostat
Smart Temperature, Shared Control.
Friendly and Cheerful Redesign
Each user selects how they feel—hot, cold, or comfortable. The system calculates a shared setting based on everyone’s input, encouraging balance over control.
Collaborative
Temperature Setting
Teams earn rewards by saving energy. Eco Mode is no longer a chore—it's a shared mission.
Gamified
Eco Mode
Users appreciated the idea of shared temperature control, but many were unsure how their input influenced the group setting.
Temporary
Override
Meeting schedules auto-sync to the system through chat bot. When rooms are unoccupied, it reverts to a company-set eco temperature.
Smart Office
Integration
Each user selects how they feel—hot, cold, or comfortable. The system calculates a shared setting based on everyone’s input, encouraging balance over control.
Collaborative
Temperature Setting
Teams earn rewards by saving energy. Eco Mode is no longer a chore—it's a shared mission.
Gamified
Eco Mode
Users appreciated the idea of shared temperature control, but many were unsure how their input influenced the group setting.
Temporary
Override
Meeting schedules auto-sync to the system through chat bot. When rooms are unoccupied, it reverts to a company-set eco temperature.
Smart Office
Integration
Value of Work
The ROI of Comfort: How Smart Office Design Pays Off
A more comfortable workplace isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a strategic investment. By recovering 75 underutilized desks (valued at $600/month each), companies can save up to $540,000 annually in real estate costs. Enhancing workplace comfort further boosts attendance by 15%, bringing 75 new employees back into the office.
This shift fuels productivity:
275 employees × 10% productivity gain × $65,000 average salary = $1.787 million/year in added output.
Add that to recovered space value, and the combined return exceeds $2.3 million annually.
Smart design, tangible returns—comfort is not a luxury. It’s a performance driver.
Data informed by FTI Consulting and “ComFeel: Productivity is a Matter of the Senses Too.”
$70,125
Estimated Project Investment Value
Scenario Setup
*Based on results from an FTI Consulting Survey and the "ComFeel: Productivity is a Matter of the Senses Too" study.
($600/month × 12) × 75
(avg. cost of underutilized desk) x (recovered desks)
$540,000/yr saved
Recovered Desks
Productivity Upliftment
275 × 10% × $65,000
(new no. of employees) x (in-office productivity advantage) x (avg. salary)
$1.787 M/yr
Productivity Gain
Annual Business value
~2.33 M/yr
Combined value
Introduction
Google Nest Thermostat is a smart temperature control system designed to optimize home energy use, automate comfort, and learn from user behavior. In its current form, Nest prioritizes individual household use.
In our redesign, we reimagine the Nest experience specifically for collaborative office environments, where shared spaces require dynamic, personalized temperature
Our version introduces:
A unified ecosystem combining a companion app and thermostat interface
Integration of user temperature preferences
Real-time collaboration during meetings and co-working sessions
This new model prioritizes friendliness, clarity, and shared agency, giving employees more ownership and transparency in how workspace environments are managed.
THE REQUEST
Redesign the Nest thermostat for shared office spaces to be cheerful and friendly.
Problem Space
46%
of employees say their workplace is either too hot or too cold, affecting their productivity.
CareerBuilder.com
Home Page
9:41
Enter how you are feeling
from your phone
Collaborative Temperature Control
9:41
Contact
shuyii0315@gmail.com
+1 9125072158
2025
Imprint
Privacy Policy
Profile
Reserving Rooms by Department
9:41
HR
Design
Accounting
Marketing
Room Page
Eco Leaderboard
