Office Space Continues To Change
May 07, 2013
As I work with architects and designers on office space requirements for clients the office of today is still undergoing shifts emphasizing the way people want to work. Smart companies realize today’s office is a tool that can be customized for working and living better. Companies are favoring productivity over cost savings and comfort over square footage. A well thought out office design creates community, better workflow, and can retain and recruit top talent.
While office designs are all over the map now a days, common themes are; more daylight throughout the space, common spaces are getting more tenant improvement dollars and attention, private offices if there are any are located by the core of the building driving more daylight, interior rooms and offices feature glass walls, workstations have much shorter panel walls or have none at all, and sustainability.
Additionally, even though total square footage is declining, common areas are expanding, it’s feeling like you are home with living rooms, family rooms, kitchen, pantry, flat screens everywhere, and flexible open meeting areas with a variety of soft seating areas.
The current thinking is that colleagues that play together will also work well together, collaborating and bonding, so strong working relationships develop and are more connected to the company. This also reflects a flatter hierarchy which younger generations prefer.
What were once two choices – private office or cube – the menu of workspaces is plenty, sit down, stand up, lie down, couch, soft chair, long table with others, short table, in the kitchen, in the family room, grab a private office for an hour or two or use a cube, and these are just in the office space, throw in the work spaces employees use out of the office and its unlimited.
Forward thinking companies when considering new office space are spending more time thinking about how to equip the new office with wireless technology before the space is even built.
If you would like help with your space, call us. Did you know the 40% of time that everyone spends covering their asses at big real estate firms – we’re putting that time into your business.
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