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court space reForm
We all respond differently to our environment. Shouldn't we choose the workstation that is most conducive to the task we are performing?
Activity-Based Office Design How we work has evolved and so too should the spaces where we conduct business. Modern office environments are designed to optimize productivity and the comfort of staff. New office designs are moving away froma cubical farm and closed offices, office spaces are diverse and pleasant. They are designed with human-centered and health in mind. As we rely less and less on paper and our devices become more and more portable, workers are no longer tethered to their desktop equipment and printers. Workers are mobile and agile. They can work anywhere, which has set the bar higher for the types of environments that will compel them to come to work. How do we design a compelling space? One that is effective and pleasant? It starts with giving workers a choice by providing a variety of microenvironments where they can choose the workstation that is best suited for their unique needs for productivity. Workers who are primarily offsite might only need a touchdown or jump seat for those rare occasions when they are in the office. Others may want to sit at a desk that is designed for more focused work. As remote work gains popularity, new types of meeting areas will be needed. Workers may need to get together for a quick huddle and remote in their off-site teammate. Evidence-based studies suggest that healthy environments lead to healthy employees, which can result in a substantial cost savings. When employees are happy and comfortable, they are more productive and have fewer sick days. This leads to lower health insurance premiums and less turnover. Operationally, there are processes that should be considered to reduce stress and from a design standpoint, the office environment can help.
