It can be hard figuring out how to appropriately utilize your space. In the past decade, open office plans were a popular trend for workspace design. Said to encourage innovation and collaboration, open offices actually had the opposite effect. Why? Because open office plans lack privacy. And without privacy, distractions are endless. Workers can’t think clearly or finish projects quickly.
In open office plans, collaboration is forced and eventually avoided when workers must sit shoulder to shoulder constantly. Overly open spaces can overwhelm workers, cause stress, and increase absenteeism. To put open office plans into further perspective, consider how you’d feel sitting in an open field – vulnerable. But surely, some form of openness is needed in workspace design.
Today, people are trying to find a better balance in facilitating collaboration and independent work. Here are some ways to create a perfect workplace balance.
Create a Third Space
A flex space, or third space, is a hybrid of home and office. Though it can be located onsite in your workspace, it is often in a completely separate location – in theory between one’s office and home. This makes it a great workspace to accommodate for abnormal working hours and balance the needs of independent work and collaboration.
The third space creates a neutral space. Therefore, it can encourage open communication and spark innovation. It can be a great place to work alone, catch-up with co-workers, or drop-in for a meeting. It can also work as an event space. The possibilities are endless because there are no written rules on what a third space must be.
Some people use the term flex space to refer to an industrial space with air-conditioned sections. These sections are used as offices or showrooms, while the remaining industrial space can be used as a warehouse. The division of space is flexible.
Use Modular Walls
Modular walls have come to the rescue, solving many people’s open office privacy issues. Unlike cubicles or traditional walls, they allow for easy reconfiguration and can be used again and again to meet a company’s changing space requirements. Modular walls can also reduce noise pollution. They come in many different types of materials from metal dividers, cloth walls, to glass partition. They can be easily integrated into existing architecture to help create the perfect workplace balance.
Encourage an Agile Workplace Balance
An agile workplace allows workers to choose where they sit at work. Workers in an agile workplace don’t feel chained to an assigned desk day in and day out. They have the freedom to get up and switch work locations, seeking privacy or socialization as they see fit. Agile workplaces can increase productivity. Because people are pretty intuitive when it comes to knowing what they need to get work done. Each worker is unique, and this autonomy can make each individual a stakeholder in creating the perfect workplace balance.
