It’s becoming increasingly common for offices to be designed in a way that encourages regular interactions and seamless communication. If this is the kind of interactive environment you want in your workplace, here’s what you need to keep in mind.
Flexibility
An effective coworking space is one designed to be as flexible as possible. Even if you are limited by your availability of physical office space, your office can be a perfect place for coworkers to interact with the right office furniture and accessories. Adaptable and flexible solutions include:
• Retractable walls
• Stackable chairs
• Tables on wheels
Adjustable lighting can also come in handy. This is especially true if you’ll have employees moving from one area to another. For instance, you might need to instantly have more light around a large conference table when you have team meetings. Also, don’t forget to strategically place electrical outlets so computers and other electronics can be moved as necessary.
Community Spaces
The whole idea of a coworking space is to create a workplace where people are encouraged to leave their desks and mingle or gather in communal areas. One way to do this is with banquet-style tables. This way anyone who wants to join in can simply pull up a chair! If you have the physical space available, additional options with community spaces include:
• A game room
• A relaxation space
• A comfortable kitchen area with appropriate amenities – e.g., coffeemaker, a well-organized refrigerator, cozy table arrangements, etc.
Privacy
Yes, coworking is all about openness and flexibility. However, there will still be times when workers will need some privacy to have conversations or complete solo tasks without distractions. Privacy can be created with:
• Soundproofed work areas or phone booths
• The strategic placement of work areas where solo work or two-person projects can be done quietly
• Movable partitions
If you need some help creating a coworking space that’s right for your unique workplace needs, let the Office Innovationsteam lend a hand. With new office furniture you may need to replace older pieces not designed with coworking in mind, we’ll take care of delivery, installation, and assembly. We can even help with furniture reconfigurationand repair.
Contact ustoday to let us know what you need to make your workspaces work better for your business.
