By: Katie Gomolak, Project Designer
With the rise of social media and smartphones, younger generations are constantly connected and aware of what is going on around them; whether it be with friends and family, in their communities, or throughout the world. This always-on mentality has greatly influenced how younger generations work and thrive within their companies and jobs. This has led to an increase in companies, and their employees, seeking out collaborative work spaces in their offices as the way people communicate evolves.
Areas for group discussions and collaboration are becoming increasingly popular requirements among a lot of the clients we see. Whether it’s a space for the seasoned veteran to sit down and discuss something with a colleague, or an area for the younger, more tech-savvy group who thrives on constant communication among their peers, it’s important to create spaces that are flexible enough to appeal to the range of employees and work styles a company may have. People work and are productive in a lot of different ways, and including a multitude of spaces that can serve multiple purposes helps to ensure people throughout the office are able to effectively use the spaces you create. It is essential to understand a company’s culture and what these spaces will be used for in order to provide the best solutions for their needs.
Collaborative spaces can really be anything, but there are 5 areas that seem to be popular. Small areas of tables and chairs offer a spot for 2-3 employees to sit down and collaborate on something away from their desks. This is still a more formal setting that is usually located within or near workstations, allowing it to be a space that keeps productivity moving but allows for a slight change of pace or scenery from the standard desk environment. Another option is to create areas made up of soft seating and more furniture pieces, which creates a more relaxed area for employees to take a break or have personal conversations. It can also become a place for longer meetings between colleagues. Below is an example of a project that has soft seating which can be used flexibly for a variety of group meetings and discussions.
While not included in the above photo, these areas often benefit from having some sort of writable surface as well, whether it be seating with tablet arms or marker boards mounted to the walls. This allows for some flexibility in how people choose, and are able, to use the space.
Having spaces that are more tucked away can also be great for companies with larger groups that need to work together on something for an extended period of time. These spaces give them an area to work and store things without fear of it being disrupted. They can almost become dedicated working spaces for certain groups within a company. Fully enclosed spaces and small conference rooms can also serve as collaboration space as well as a space that can be used by a single person who may want to step away from their desk and go to a quiet place where they can focus on a certain task.
Lastly, a main focal point of many offices involves a pantry area that has various seating types. This space can be used for large, informal meetings and gatherings, or as another meeting space for smaller and larger groups within a company. The image below highlights a few of the seating options that are popular within pantry spaces – tables and chairs and bar-height central islands.
Ultimately, the type of collaborative spaces that may work for one company may not work for another, but it is important to understand how a client plans to work within their space in order to provide a design that allows them to complete their work effectively. So, whether it’s the younger generation using these spaces to bounce ideas off of one another and come to the best solution to their problem, or their more senior colleagues who like the idea of having spaces outside of a conference room to meet, collaborative spaces can be utilized by everyone and help to bring a company together.
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