Workspace Variety in the Workplace

Designing a more inclusive and universal workspace

October 4, 2022

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In a world where workplace design is becoming more inclusive and universally driven, it’s important to consider the different needs of employees. The easiest way to do this is by providing choice and variety in your workplace. By doing so, you allow your employees to choose the setting that works best for them. This need might change on a day-to-day basis based on the task at hand. We all work differently. Some of us thrive in an open collaborative environment, and some of us need more focus. When we give people options to choose how they work, we see higher levels of employee engagement, innovation, and returns.

Collaborative Workspace

As the office continues to change, it’s important to offer a variety of collaborative spaces. These range from meeting areas that support quick impromptu gatherings, to your traditional conference table. We all work and collaborate in our own unique way; therefore, we should design to accommodate these various styles of work. Flexible lounge seating might work best for one group, while a standard table and chairs works best for another. Providing a variety gives teams the ability to choose the work setting that fits their current needs. However, there is one common thread between these various spaces – the need for integrated technology. No matter the space, teams should have the ability to plug and play. We also want to give internal team members the ability to connect with those team members working remote.

Individual & Focus Workspace

Although collaboration with coworkers is extremely important, it’s also crucial to have spaces that support focus on individual tasks. These single seating areas provide an area of refuge. They can also offer a variety of privacy needs, from semi-private to a totally enclosed enclave. This variety allows users to choose the appropriate space that meets their needs for the task at hand and their style of work. These spaces support focus and reduce distractions. When creating induvial spaces, also consider adding a few private offices that can be used on demand, by all. These spaces can also be mobile and have the ability to be located near windows for better connection to the outdoors in the workplace.

The fit-out that Design Collaborative worked on for Raytheon has a great variety of workspaces, including some individual workstations with privacy screens. Scroll through the project images to take a look!

Community Hubs

The Community Hub serves as the heart of the office and accommodates a variety of activities. It’s a hub for celebration and community, but also an area to retreat to. These areas typically include a coffee bar or café space as well. It provides a communal gather space for all, but also supports heads down and collaborative work. In community hubs, we see a variety of seating types. High back lounges and small Zoom rooms support individual work, while flexible tables, booths, and collaborative lounge pieces support team efforts. Booths are a great way to support teams and heads down workers. The community hub has become critical in the office, bringing people together while supporting various work styles and flexibility.

Check out a community hub that DC designed for Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne’s headquarters!

Coffee Table with Couch at Design Collaborative

Remote Work

Over the last two years, many organizations have adopted a remote work or hybrid office policy. Just like the physical office, it’s important that we support remote employees in their home office as well. A simple at home workstation can go a long way. When we’re comfortable and supported, we produce higher quality work. Many organizations are providing remote employees with home setups that include a height adjustable desk, ergonomic task chair, and other ergonomic tools that support a comfortable work posture. In addition to the furniture, it’s crucial that remote employees are also setup with adequate technology. This includes any technology that’s needed to successfully do their job in a remote capacity, with the ability to connect to the physical office with ease.

These various setting have a profound effect on employees in the workplace. Providing choice gives employees more flexibility and comfort throughout the workday. Why is that important? Happy employees are more engaged and more productive! Our workplace team are experts when it comes to creating the perfect environment for your organization. Have a chat with Workplace Market Leader and Interior Design, Lauren Elliott, to see what might work best for you!

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