Recent news has told us that 18% of the United States’ office space lies vacant, with 300 million square feet expected to be obsolete by 2030 as firms battle with the economic downturn and a rise in popularity of home working in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.

However, while office space may well be reduced as we move into the future, there will always be a place for it. Not every company can work remotely, and a lot of the new working days we see are a hybrid blend between office and home working.

Innovative office designs and a rethinking of the traditional office space have been seen across the world, with many businesses taking a different approach to the workday.

Collaboration
Collaboration and communication are key elements of businesses, and features that are important to remain in place wherever people are working.

Of course, where people are working remotely, technology has enabled us to keep in touch with colleagues across the businesses and even the globe, however, in the actual office spaces themselves, we’re seeing some different approaches to the regular traditional office.

Coworking spaces are something that allow collaboration between not just employees in your company, but also across businesses.

Elements of coworking spaces can be brought into the traditional office, with creative ways for teams to meet, including kitchen areas, break out spaces and even informal areas such as 8-ball tables and beanbags – all of these provide a way for people to meet each other, collaborate and if nothing else, get communication flowing across the business.

As businesses cut down on the spaces they need, coworking spaces may become a viable option for many. Across the globe there are some very quirky and unique coworking spaces, which bridge the gap between home and office working

. Lisbon’s Village Underground is a space which promotes collaboration and culture, and as well as workspaces includes a recording studio and a restaurant. Of course, different businesses have different requirements so what works for one may not work for all, but options like this highlight the changing attitudes to the workspace.

Work-Life Balance
A phrase all of us will have heard and tried to take heed of is the work-life balance, and this is something at the heart of many workplace changes we are seeing. As things have changed in the past few years, and many have worked from home, a full time return to the office for people that was expected hasn’t fully materialized.

Research from Knight Frank showed the expectation that “employees will work at least some of the week from home for the foreseeable future”, and just a third of businesses still pushing for a full-time return.

Balancing the work and free time of employees can be tricky, particularly when office visits are essential to the job. Clever workspaces have begun introducing more opportunities for downtime and screen breaks, as seen in Google’s Zurich space. Slides, cinema rooms and places to even have a dance are all part of the office, and elements of this can be implemented in offices for smaller companies too.

Having fun in the office can of course improve communication but above all the wellbeing of the workforce. As the workplace changes, work is not so much a place people go but a thing that they do, and that they do from anywhere. With this in mind, when employees need to go to the office, their welfare is important and employees that can have fun in the office are likely to be up to 20% more productive than those who aren’t.

A no-brainer then, to incorporate some interesting areas into an office where employees can take a break. Coupled with flexible options when available, providing a work-life balance while in the office too can result in happier, and in turn more focused and productive members of staff.

Remove the Office Feeling
One approach to the office space we have seen is to be clever with the design of the space. This can be simply making sure people have enough power sockets in which to plug in laptops, phones and printers. Aesthetics are important too, and by incorporating this into the design of the office from the get-go, a reputable supplier can ensure practical elements such as wiring and electrical enclosure boxes are considered as part of the overall build.

Removing the traditional office feeling though, can of course go much further than being practical with layouts and ensuring a flow of natural light. Bark, a company that create dog toys and treats, have a unique workspace which is designed for both humans and dogs to be side by side during the working day.

Using dog-friendly materials, the space allows employees to work at their will around the office, and has importantly been completed using cost-effective materials to show that this way of thinking can be commercially viable too. While naturally, this may be a step too far for many, the unique way of thinking again showcases how businesses have changed workspaces into something that works for them.

Sources

Half of big companies to cut office desk space as bosses give up on back to work push (msn.com)

Village Underground Lisboa – Um muro aberto para um novo movimento artístico e cultural (vulisboa.com)

Rethinking The Modern Workspace: Embracing Change With Purpose (forbes.com)

NBBJ designs Bark’s Ohio office for both humans and dogs (dezeen.com)

The post Thinking Different: Redefining the Office By Stewart Beer, Site Manager at Electrix International appeared first on CEO Medium.

How can we get the most out of these spaces? And, relating to the design, what aspects of the space are important to maximizing productivity, appealing to as many different working styles as possible, as well as enhancing well-being and inspiring user creativity?

What is Coworking?

First, we need to understand exactly what coworking is. Coworking is a type of working space in which people from different teams and companies come together to work in a single shared space.

Using a coworking space can have many benefits, both on an individual and an organisational level, and we will look at how the design and features can impact this.

Who Would Use a Coworking Space

Various businesses can use a coworking space effectively, however, when launched in the early 2000s, they would mainly attract solo workers and web entrepreneurs.

They can be a good fit for businesses entering new markets, those who don’t want to the risk of a long-term lease, as well as companies who are seeking to cut down on large amounts of unused office space, as remote working increases.

As well as the traditional start-ups and sole traders utilising the spaces, users now also include well-known and even multi-national, global organisations.

Important Features of a Coworking Space

To ensure users get all of the benefits out of a coworking space, there are elements that need to be considered in relation to how they look and the facilities they contain.

Types and design of workspaces are important

The core functionality of a coworking space is as a place to work, and it is paramount that this aspect is the focus.

It is vital to have quieter areas, as even in a shared space there are times where individuals will need to focus on something intensely. There should also be areas in which workers can take private and confidential calls, so consider a soundproofed booth, away from the rest of the space.

Also important is having practical spaces to work – i.e., making sure there are sufficient sockets to plug in laptops and chargers. Consider usability, but also the finish and design – for example making sure that any fixtures and fittings, including the sockets and any electrical enclosure boxes are of the highest standard and finish.

For everyone it is important to have practical places to work, different seating types and even features like beanbags and steps can all provide places for optimum productivity. Natural lighting throughout has many benefits, including creating a welcoming atmosphere, enhancing vitamin D and energy levels and generally elevating workplace satisfaction.

A change in scenery from the normal desk can increase productivity – 69% of office workers say that their productivity increases if they are able to work in a variety of settings throughout the day. This can also open the door to collaboration with others in the space – a potential breeding ground for a fresh set of ideas.

A meeting of minds

As well as ensuring individuals have enough practical spaces to work, a coworking space should also have areas or rooms for team meetings.

Just like the working areas, meeting room offerings should vary. There is a place for the more traditional meeting room, but consideration should also be given to booths, sofas and spaces in a kitchen or foyer, where teams can break out and discuss ideas.

As well as a range of designs, think about alternative sized meeting rooms to cope with different teams, to help reduce the risk of larger spaces being wasted for smaller teams, and vice versa – large teams being unable to find a suitable space.

Facilities and collaboration

With workstations and meeting rooms covered off; attention should be given to what other facilities your space will contain, as well as the emphasis on the collaboration.

Just as a kitchen area can become the heart of the home, a well thought out kitchen in a coworking environment can become one of the most important and collaborative places.

When teams are making teas and coffees, as well as lunches, this can be a source of interaction and spark a conversation.

As well as potentially developing ideas for work, interaction can boost the social aspect – 79% of users say that being in a coworking environment expanded their social networks, with 83% feeling less lonely.

A nice kitchen area could couple as a meeting and breakout space and could be where company updates and briefings are held.

Coffee machines, water coolers fresh fruit or even beer fridges can encourage people to leave their desks and contribute towards creating a collaborative culture. Again, ensure enough power sockets are in place, to allow people to work in these spaces too.

Offering a comfortable working environment is an essential aspect of the coworking space. With the right facilities, design, and ethos, your coworking space can become a collaborative location for business to thrive.

Sources

33 Captivating Coworking Statistics [2023]: Facts And Trends You Need To Know – Zippia

What is coworking? (wework.com)]

25 Trending Remote Work Statistics [2023]: Facts, Trends, And Projections – Zippia

Meeting Rooms for Hire in London | TOG (theofficegroup.com)

The kitchen is the heart of the home | BBC Good Food

9 Benefits of Natural Light in the Workplace (Office Spaces) (avantisystemsusa.com)

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