What is an office social zone?

whatis

an office social zone?

In an activity based workplace, the social zone is designed to reflect a coffee shop. It’s a space where employees can enjoy catchups, take a 10-minute break to de-stress or host an informal meeting. It also acts as a casual work environment for employees that prefer to work in high-energy spaces with background noise.

In traditional offices, employees are confined to one desk and tend to stick to their team members. In comparison, social zones encourage employees to build human connections and interact with other departments in the office.

Research by the Delft University of Technology found that social zones experienced greater communication and shared more knowledge. This can boost employee satisfaction and help foster a positive office culture.

What does a social zone look like? When an employee enters the social zone, they should be able to feel the buzz of the atmosphere straight away. There should be cues to welcome employees in and signify how the space should be used. For example, the radio could be on, coffee machines may be grinding and people could be chatting.

Incorporating comfortable furniture and décor elements such as artwork and inspiring quotes signify a space of comfort. Some offices have also added games tables and wellbeing spaces to help employees de-stress, increasing productivity and employee satisfaction.

The social zone is typically the biggest of all the zones in an activity based office because it facilitates more employees at once. A social zone may also have different areas within it for different purposes. Sofas with coffee tables can be used to work from laptops or host informal meetings. Cafeteria like seating can be used for lunch breaks or catch-ups over coffee. Rows of open desks can be used for individual work for employees that enjoy flexibility.

Some offices may use lightweight furniture that can be moved around the space for increased flexibility. A key element of the social zone is giving access to plenty of plugs: employees should be able to take a seat anywhere to work.

What technology is needed in a social zone? For individual work in the social zone, employees will require monitors. As multiple employees will use these throughout the day, the office would benefit from durable ergonomic and water and dust resistant monitors. Printers and scanners are also useful, so employees have everything they need in one space.

Large format displays deliver messages to employees such as company updates or current news. It also adds to the inviting atmosphere, featuring videos, brand values or a music playlist.

The social zone usually acts as the hub of the office as it sets the tone of the business and fosters a positive working environment. To create a successful social zone at work, businesses should consider the décor, furniture, technology and resources.

image © www.sevilpeach.co.uk/project/microsoft

Case study Microsoft in Amsterdam

Microsoft has always been at the forefront of innovation. In 2008, Microsoft set Sevil Peach the task of transforming their Amsterdam office into an activity based office.

Microsoft has always been at the forefront of innovation. In 2008, Microsoft set Sevil Peach the task of transforming their Amsterdam office into an activity based office.

The social zone with its own coffee shop and communal workspace was designed to be the heart of the building. Located on the first floor, Sevil Peach created an open route from reception to welcome everyone to the office, from the CEO to the postman.

Consequently, the office had a 25% increase in productivity and a 30% drop in real-estate costs.