Lack of privacy, distractions, not having the tools to do their best work are some of the frustrations people working in an open space plan express. With about 70% of the workplace having moved to an open plan, collaboration and space efficiency have increased exponentially (the average worker had 225 square feet of space in 2010, by 2017 that figure will fall 33 percent to 151 square feet).
In our 12 year career as creative office space and space programming design professionals, we have actively participated in changing open office space and effectively the way we work. We know a well-designed office space must provide for flexible, adaptive, collaborative and productive environments. What are the key principles, you ask?
- Evaluation, Analysis, Understanding: We examine the Company and its Characteristics: start all projects by studying how each company and department works prior to starting design. This initial analysis will determine what the departments do, how they do it, the tools they need and what types of settings are required for each type of worker. A fundamental understanding of the worker is essential for designing the right workspace.
- Custom Fit: One size does not fit all: Based on this initial analysis, develop a set of tools tailored to the various groups. These tools are a combination of desk types, focused work spaces, collaboration areas and physical tools such as printers. I.e.: Accounting will need a different set of tools and privacy level than the sales department, etc.
- Balancing Acts: Provide a balance of individual, collaborative and social settings. It is essential to provide the right balance to support employee focus, productivity, collaboration and a sense of community. Re-focusing on personal space is key for a successful open office and worker productivity.
- Include Menu Options: Provide Choices: Just as in our personal lives, modern workers of all ages now demand work settings that provide choice, mobility and a way to address the new challenges of each day.
- Flexibility: It is essential to provide flexibility through connectivity, but also in the individual space. Flexibility in the workspace can be as significant as open address seating, desks on wheels, or as small as cushions on top of file cabinets to provide opportunities for impromptu individual meetings.
- Mean Green: Sustainability is not just a plaque: While things like LEED certification are a great way to ensure a “green” building, there are many other ways to incorporate sustainable features that cut costs and improve employee comfort and satisfaction. Personal temperature controls, task lighting and day lighting are effective on an individual scale, and much larger approaches can be done depending on your building type. Whatever the decisions, engage your employees and let them participate in minimizing your company’s footprint.