The Leader - July/August 2008 - (Page 67)

2008 Wo rkp lace dI re cto ry Characteristics vary between Asia’s many different user groups, companies, countries and cultures. Mike Harrison, CEO and managing director of Singapore-headquartered PSG Asia, says, however, that one trend he is observing is how U.S. and Europeanbased companies requiring space in Asia today are adopting stricter company design standards. “In the past, have either not been fully developed or have simply not existed,” Harrison states. “Another approach has been to simply follow the last few offices styles carried out within the company whether it is in the Asia Pacific, United States or regions of the established market economy countries (EMEC) and try to make the offices appear similar,” he adds. Increasingly, however, companies are adopting local identities by using local design themes, Feng Shui initiatives or specific religious considerations. “With the increased focus on Corporate Social Responsibility not only with end users but also service providers, the need and desire to integrate environmental initiatives or achieve specific levels of certification is becoming more important than simply having efficient and effective work places,” he reveals. Given escalating real estate costs in some Asian countries, companies like PSG Asia are being driven to provide more efficient solutions that accommodate more staff and more interactive user spaces. “Traditionally, the size of individual work places in Asia have been 20 to 30 percent smaller than those in the other regions,” Harrison states. “But now this is being even further reduced whenever and wherever possible.” Work space configurations, such as straight bench style desks, may also vary between cultures or countries and may need to be adopted to keep work staff happy. Like elsewhere in the world, technology is also playing a key role in the evolution of work place design. “Nowadays, we find fewer companies requiring filing or compact areas,” he says. “Flat screens and common networked printers have contributed to the need for less table top area throughout the office.” “Quality of life alone doesn’t pay the bills Other general trends throughout Asia to make the work place multi purpose and flexible include the converting of meeting rooms to training rooms; placing work tables on castors to allow rooms to be reconfigured or to form to small discussion areas; incorporating worktables with adjustable heights to allow users to work standing up; providing modular or removable walls that can easily create larger spaces; and including more interactive and fun areas. Looking at the future, Asia, like most locations worldwide, will see increased pressure on real estate costs and a drive for companies to find more bottom line savings. “We believe that even greater steps will be taken by companies worldwide to find better and more efficient methods for saving expenses,” Harrison states. “This will continue to challenge all of us involved in this special market that basically is about people coming to work and enjoying their surroundings and work place.” 2008 Workplace dIrectory As workplace design evolves, so do those businesses that support the industry. For example, architects are joining forces with interior designers and engineers to provide onestop shopping for businesses around the world. The following lists CoreNet Global members in the workplace sector: Architecture and Engineering and Consulting firms; and Interior specialists, including furniture manufacturers and distributors, interior design firms and others. ARCHITECTuRE & EnGInEERInG 360 Architecture www.360architects.com 3D/International www.3di.com 3form www.3-form.com A. Epstein and Sons International www.epstein-isi.com A. James de Bruin & Sons www.ajdebruin.com A.M. Kinney www.amkinney.com A/R Environetics www.arenvironetics.com Adamson Associates Architects www.adamson-associates.com ADD Inc. www.addinc.com Adrianse Group Limited www.adrianse.com AECOM Facilities www.aecom.com AIA Philadelphia www.aiaphila.org AKF Engineers www.akf-engineers.com Albert Kahn Associates www.albertkahn.com Alexander-Patterson Group www.apgof.com You need a good workforce, a stable business environment, www.aleximarmot.com competitive costs, and above C. Baker Architects & Planners is Anthony all, a reasonable ROI—which exactly what Roanoke offers.’’ www.acb-architects.com APC www.apc.com Arbee Associates The Roanoke Valley of Virginia www.arbee.net AMA Alexi Marmot Associates - Annette Comer President, Elcomm Read more about Elcomm at www.roanoke.org/testimonials the le ade r 67 J u ly / a u g u s t http://www.epstein-isi.com http://www.aiaphila.org http://www.ajdebruin.com http://www.akf-engineers.com http://www.amkinney.com http://www.albertkahn.com http://www.arenvironetics.com http://www.apgof.com http://www.adamson-associates.com http://www.aleximarmot.com http://www.addinc.com http://www.acb-architects.com http://www.360architects.com http://www.adrianse.com http://www.apc.com http://www.3di.com http://www.aecom.com http://www.arbee.net http://www.3-form.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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