The Leader - July/August 2008 - (Page 64)

Wor kpla ce desIgN : r efle ctI Ng o ur chaNg I Ng W o rld aNd W o rk p atte rNs vistas, create more fluid lines of communication, and open up the work environment. “We are now seeing people get away from corners and interfacing with people around them,” Green says. “This is facilitated by the use of flat screen monitors. Users are also much more inclined to want access to natural lighting.” Whereas the old formulation called for approximately 80 percent of space encompassing individual offices, today that percentage hovers around 60 percent with the remaining 40 percent being collaborative areas where individuals and teams can work in a much more fluid, dynamic setting. “The other thing we are seeing a much more residential feeling and a higher appreciation for materials such as aluminum, veneers, finer fabrics, and the use of lots of glass,” he says. “Workers, in essence, want a place that feels much more like home.” Much of this change has come about by advancements in technology. “People are not necessarily tethered to their computers,” Green points out. “The amount of time they are spending heads down in an office is very different from 10 to 15 years ago. Today, employees can work from their Blackberrys. They can sit down with their laptops at a café-type stand or work collaboratively with a group.” Consequently, Green summarizes that 8 x 8 and 8 x 10 office space is a waste of real estate given today‘s much smaller office footprint. He sees office space shrinking even further in the future to the point where offices become “touchstone” areas where employees recharge, regroup and have some heads down focus as an individual in preparation for the next session. Given that technology today makes workers increasingly mobile and workers can take their intellectual capital, knowledge and work with them, gone is the trend for the mobile furniture of the 1990s. “It no longer has a place,” Green says. “Customers told us that that product was difficult to integrate, keep track of, and organize.” Furniture today also calls for a clean design built around a form of lightness as opposed to the thick and robust panel systems found in 1998 and 1999. “Now there is a much more concerted effort to ensure products are harmonized with the architectural environment,” Green says. “We are using nicer materials such as extruded plastics, new materials and transition pieces that are simpler, and less complicated. We are looking at how a product relates to space.” flexIBIlIty coNsIderatIoNs Although companies are increasingly implementing worker programs, such as telecommuting or flexible work programs, to attract top talent and retain top employees, these mobile and remote workers still need occasional office space at the company to meet with prospects, customers, or colleagues. One solution is office “hoteling” a concept whereby workers reserve and book office space. the le ade r 64 J u ly / a u g u s t http://www.psgasia.com http://www.psgasia.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Leader - July/August 2008

The Leader - July/August 2008 Leadership Contents Message from the CEO Real Estate in the News Organizational Design Accommodating Growth Responding to the Challenge EMEA's Building Energy Rating TVA's Shortcut to Success ANZ Banking Group’s Jane Hamilton Tractus Asia’s Dennis Messeroll Arizona’s Greg Weiner Workplace Design Workplace Directory The Texas Report Industry Tracker Discovery Forum Findings Career Development Congratulations to 2008 Corenet Global Award Winners! Young Leader Economic Development in the News Connect with Corenet Global A Look Ahead

The Leader - July/August 2008

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