We are excited to publish a new series of articles that will help you discover office and outdoor spaces that are perfect for your organization. Every organization is different with unique needs, so you need spaces that support your processes and culture.
Today, we are going to go through a series of high-performing private offices.
Why Private Offices Are Still Important
The movement toward more open, collaborative spaces is undeniable. Yet the need for private offices persists, especially in professions – such as legal, financial and human resources – that must promote high degrees of confidentiality and confidence. But amid economic, cultural and generational shifts, what people need from private offices is changing.
Where in the past, people may have established a routine of reporting to the office, sitting down and working all day, work is different now. It’s more dynamic, it has more dimensions – and it is significantly enabled by technology. For example, videoconferencing allows for remote work, and collaboration software allows for ongoing, agile work among distributed project teams. Additionally, organizations also face a new external reality: the rising cost of real estate, especially in dense urban areas. In response, they must do more with less.
Renderings
When designed well, you can create high-performing private offices at any size. These spaces can be assets to employee efficiency and productivity.
An existing large private office is repurposed with an intentional mix of micro zones to serve an individual or a small group. When the primary occupant is away, rather than sit empty, this space swings into service for busy coworkers.
Where present, high-performing private offices are smaller in size than their predecessors and standardized for simplicity and adaptability.
As real estate prices escalate, private offices must make more of every square foot — including horizontal and vertical planes — in order to deliver the productive focus and collaboration needed.
This compact but hardworking office makes room for receiving and processing large volumes of digital and analog information, as well as collaborating with other members of the organization.
Real Spaces
Responding to the needs and wants of top talent, private offices must help people achieve physical and emotional comfort, express identity and stimulate the cognitive process.
Loss of productivity due to noise distraction doubles in open plan offices compared to private offices.
As the workforce grows more mobile and dynamic, private offices must flex so individuals can adjust their environment in the moment, and organizations can repurpose offices for future needs.
To cultivate privacy, orient desks so users can see the door and be aware of entrants to the space. Select materials and wall/door treatments that optimize visual and acoustical shielding. Offer storage that can conceal confidential materials.
Create dual purpose spaces that serve as private offices or meeting rooms.
Help employees do their best work in a 10′ x 12′ or 10′ x 10′ footprint. Ample work surfaces and deep open shelving help maintain flow as employees switch from task to task. Digital and analog tools and guest seating support collaboration and quick, frequent conversations.
Create private offices within an open plan using glass walls. They offer acoustical privacy while maintaining visual connectivity with the surrounding space. This modular solution is easily movable and adaptable to changing needs.
Amid stress and overload, private offices can help restore cognitive, emotional and physical wellbeing in order to enhance performance and satisfaction at work.
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