New Trends in Work Place Design

The role of interior office design in increasing job performance and satisfaction is well understood by the workforce. According to the Gensler 2006 U.S. Workplace Survey, published on July 20, there is a high correlation between workplace design and organizational performance. The survey reflects the opinions of a random sample of 2,013 office workers in all staff and management strata in the United States.

Nine out of ten believe that workplace quality affects their attitude, job satisfaction, and productivity, and also makes a company more competitive. Close to half of office workers-46 percent-indicated that their employers do not see providing a high-performance workplace as a priority, and two-thirds see minimizing costs or maintaining the status quo as the main goal behind the design of their own office. Among the survey respondents, the most common complaints about today's office included lack of space, too few quiet areas, uncomfortable workstations and bad layout and design.

The Gensler 2006 U.S. Workplace Survey is part of the firm's annual inquiry into the impact of design on business performance and it is conducted by D/R Added Value, an independent research firm. The 2006 survey follows and builds on an earlier workplace survey conducted by Gensler's U.K. office (2005 Gensler Workplace Survey) that focused on middle and senior managers in finance, law, and media in the U.K.

D/R Added Value calculates that U.S. companies could generate as much as $330 billion a year in added revenue if they would provide high-performing work settings. Thus, it is not surprising that many companies are placing heavy emphasis on workplace design and high quality office furniture. They are transforming their workplaces into the office of tomorrow, and it is not surprising that the new trends in interior office design reflect the wants and needs of a younger and dynamic work force.

Privacy not isolation

Office cubicles are not expected to disappear in near future but they are getting shorter. Lower walls are replacing higher walls and they are definitely giving employees a sense of privacy while allowing them to enjoy all-around visibility.

Another growing trend is to break down the hierarchical space. Executives are no longer confined to executive suites located on a different floor; they move right into the center of the office space and integrate with the rest of the workforce. This non-hierarchical workplace design certainly encourages creativity and teamwork. Employees feel more connected with other employees and management; and proximity makes them more effective during the day.

Information and Communications Technology

The rapid development of communications and information technology requires a workplace designed for maximum communications capability and flexibility. In this day and age, the link between workstations and data/com networks is critical. As a result, manufacturers, architects and interior designers are developing new office furniture products and system enhancements that can keep pace with ever growing business needs. These new office furniture systems provide wire and cable management solutions that accommodate all data/com cabling, including new 10G/s cabling. These new furniture products also ensure maximum operational and systems flexibility in the workplace by incorporating a variety of video, audio, and control connectors, as well as active modules such as VGA line drivers, audio buffers, and twisted pair transceivers.

The increasing use of laptop computers and flat-screen monitors in the workplace also led to transformations in interior office design; as such office cubicles are becoming smaller. Moreover, the extra space that was used to hold extra large equipment can now be used for other purposes, especially for storage.

Flexibility

Furniture companies are designing open and highly visible office spaces with minimal restrictions on the placement of workstations and office furniture. As a result, they tend to manufacture modular office furniture that is easy to erect, dismantle, and move. Such flexibility is highly significant, since it comes in an age where needs quickly change, technology constantly advances, staff members are added or positions are deleted.

Technological and workplace changes warrant changes in the office layout and office furniture and time is a scarce resource. Changing office layouts should not be a hassle. As an industry leader, MAiSPACE responds to the growing needs of today's businesses with its modular office furniture that provides maximum flexibility and enhances workplace aesthetics.

MAiSPACE's Vice President Mark Bassil explains company's philosophy as follows: "When planning office interiors companies must realize that floor plans and requirements are going to change at some point. This calls for modular products that do it easily without sacrificing structural soundness - which is the premise of MAiSPACE. The benefit is improved flexibility moving forward while reducing costly installation and reconfiguration time. It also diminishes the need to buy new parts every time modifications are made."

Times have changed; office interior design is directly linked to a company's financial health. Well-designed workplaces boost performance and productivity. At MAiSPACE, we are as concerned as you are about your company's corporate image and profit and are ready to serve your current and future needs.