Farewell to the run-of-the-mill office

The times when employees spent their entire working lives drudging away on black chairs in whitewashed rooms with colorless carpeting, table by table, will soon be a thing of the past in many sectors. And cubicles with their inescapable associations of laying battery and cage system housing are also petering out.

At least in companies that go with the times and take the time to design the new work environment, the significant changes are noticed. In the rarest cases they have a clear idea of where the evolution of office work will take them and the resulting individual office design. We have been dedicating ourselves to this issue for over 10 years by now, and can support our clients in this important area.

The times are changing

An office is a place where many people congregate every day. Its facilities and structure have a great effect on the present and future staff, their dedication and cooperation. Much is in motion. What has also greatly changed are the workplace requirements and ways of working together – there are more and more mobile teams, open office concepts, etc. Companies interested in particularly coveted high achievers will provide suitable environments enabling them to optimally involve themselves and make their contribution.

Clear advantages for enterprises

The office as a world where staff can flourish? Life is not all guns and roses, you might say. And yes, companies are economically oriented to be able to exist. Those that invest will expect a good ratio of benefits to cost, that is alright. Thought-through offices will also satisfy this criterion. Here follow some benefits in key points:

Staff recruitment: Employers like to hire the best. And if they want to be attractive for the best young talent, especially, they will offer them more than just a salary in future.

Staff satisfaction: Identification with the company reduces fluctuations and has a positive effect on the personal commitment. The rigid nine-to-five week and separation of work and leisure are about to dissolve. Attractive employers allow their staff to enjoy a good work-life balance.

Performance: This kind of environment will support the creativity, motivation and communication of every employee, also in their teamwork, and thus the efficiency and productivity. The ergonomic workplaces of today are not just about mere adherence to directives. All this makes the work easier, reduces the stress and is healthier, which also minimizes sick leave.

What counts is an office for everyone

This is not about some show-off office in a hypermodern style, but the design of functional workspaces that cater to the company, its strategy and culture, as much as the staff. The aspects needing to be paid their deserved attention for an ideal workplace design in offices also include the following:

Teamwork

The evolution of the workplace serves to improve the teamwork. The right conditions for this are e.g. provided by centrally positioned coffee tables and other informal meeting areas. These spaces promote encounters and give our clients’ staff room for exchanging their thoughts and information. Which will be easier in a dynamic environment featuring a selection of variously sized team areas and technical facilities. Instead of needing to repair to the toilet or squeeze into the small kitchenette for confidential conversations, as is the case in many companies, a space should also be provided for this.

Individuality

Sitting or standing? Nothing is unhealthier than spending the entire working day seated, which has been known for years. Close to the colleagues or rather with a little bit more privacy? Sedentary or nomads? Good that there is wheeled furniture, should it be required, along with other options for the corresponding flexibility.

Constant availability and focussed work

Offices are becoming smarter, more responsive and mobile, while the people in them will interact to an ever-greater degree. Immediate coordination and networking are becoming ever more important in the world of work. Our workplace concepts of the next generation also cater to the growing share of mobile teams and an optimal use of spaces for this. A lot of what is still the reserve of individualists today will be standard in the future.

But: Mobile and networked are not always the equivalent of public – which is why noise-insulated, quiet workplaces are needed. Focussed work is becoming ever more difficult. Telephones ring, one mail after the other demands the attention that was just to be dedicated to another issue. Of great help here are quiet workplaces that shut out the noise so that employees can concentrate on their work while keeping an eye on the busy activities in the other spaces.

Mobility

Many understand mobility as being available and able to work just about anywhere and at all times. The work environment to be created needs to facilitate cooperation between all the staff, irrespective of whether they are sitting next to each other or on different continents. A positive side effect: While many used to think of the home office as the only option for undisturbed work in the past, employees tend to prefer this kind of office now.

A forward-looking approach

Many developments are already in sight, while others can at best be surmised. What is certain is that spaces will become ever more intelligent in the future. One hence needs to remain open to favourable developments without thoughtlessly following every trend.

Only then…

First, we look into the complex requirements, and when we know who works and communicates how – whether spontaneous interaction, secluded concentration or a virtual community are most helpful –  we will devise a fitting concept.

Our team will support you in all project phases for an office that meets the requirements and will benefit all the parties involved – the client, users and employees. For a short overview, simply contact Armin Schenker at +49 30/ 84176710.