Fast Company 9.6.21 |CO.DESIGN|”Open offices failed. These are 6 essentials to make sure the next office doesn’t” by Alejandra Albarran
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With many working from home (WFM) we’ve adapted our own workspace set-up and have become accustomed to working from anywhere. But now as COVID seemingly is diminishing with higher vaccination rates some are wanting to return to the office allowing them to once again focus away from the family and home environment and be able to network face-to-face. All good except finding the ideal workspace in the office may be challenging after having all that flexibility to design one’s workspace. Gensler, reported on “its summer/fall 2020 workplace survey…[and]...found that just over half of U.S. workers and two-thirds of U.K. prefer a hybrid model”...in the office for productivity and home for its “convenience and safety-and want the benefits of both.”
“This widespread refusal to return to pre-pandemic office standards can be largely attributed to the failures of the open-office concept, which was designed to foster more collaboration and socialization...but gave little consideration to the variety of working environments necessary for a comfortable, productive workplace.” Study data actually showed, face-to-face interactions declined while online interactions increased, that productivity declined and sick days increased in the open office environment. Adapting now is a problem due to additional costs that will be involved. A proposed solution is the third workplace AKA coworking space.
These third workplaces offer the “bench-style seating” in an open floor plan but also a “variety of curated environments that support different levels of productivity and break space.” Examples are “The Gallery” (Manhattan) a social club featuring “beautifully designed workspaces as before, but now with an all-day eatery and bar for visitors working morning until night…” and other amenities. “Department Store Studios” (London) “provides a mix of workspaces, including private studios for the artists and designers...a communal terrace...a basement screening room...bike storage...lockers...showers...and changing areas.”
So how do the experts design the new dynamic workspaces? Six categories of activities must be considered for “ community, collaboration, meet, team, solo work, and well-being.” Depending on the organization each element will be customized. Some general guidelines. 25% community spaces, 25% team home spaces, meeting areas 20%, collaborative spaces 10%, solo spaces 10%, well-being spaces 5% and support spaces 5%.
“At the end of the day, an office should be designed to inspire, and should be a magnetic space that catalyzes the creation of great work, but also connection, creativity and energy.”
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