The standards of the modern office are shifting all
the time. Gone are the days of cubicle farms and compartmentalized solitude. Whilst property seems to be a firm and static domain, the way our
workplaces look and behave has been undergoing a great deal of flux and
experimentation in recent years, urged on by a wide range of driving forces.
From an organizational
perspective, there has been a need to make ones property portfolio more cost
effective, whilst also providing an engaging environment that both attracts the
best talent and helps them to collaborate and innovate.
From an individual perspective,
there has been an urge to work more flexibly and avoid the stresses of the
daily commute, and to work in more pleasant than the factory farm like cubicles
of yesteryear.
This has led to a number of
fascinating experiments in workplaces around the world. For instance, a number
of companies now deploy tracking technology, whether built into the furniture
itself or as a wearable device for employees, in order to monitor the
utilization of their properties.
Another approach sees companies
adopt a sharing economy type model and open up underutilized equipment to
outsiders. Dutch company Floow2, for instance, are pioneering this
approach in healthcare.
There have also been some
interesting approaches to encourage work/life balance amongst employees, with a
Dutch startup called Heldergroen installing desks that literally get pulled up
into the ceiling at 5:30 p.m. to force employees to go home. At the opposite
end of the spectrum, Greek designers NL Studio developed a desk that
converts into a bed. Whilst the aim is to perhaps encourage "power
naps," it could also facilitate all nighters at the office.
As modern companies continue to adapt their spaces
to fit the needs of their employees and the bottom line of the company, the
entire idea of a modern workplace continues to shift in ongoing
iterations towards the ideal solution. Companies will never go back to the
office design of rows of cubicles, but what’s next for a more productive
workspace?
Comments
Post a Comment