For many people, the home is the place where we spend most
of our time. It is a place designed or chosen by us, for us, to meet our many
needs. Second to the home, the workplace is the most common place for us to
spend our time, but for many that space is imposed upon them, providing a
one-size-fits-all location for all people to accomplish all tasks. It’s no
surprise that people are starting to hit back at open-plan office design and
choosing to take advantage of mobile technologies that allow them to work
remotely and from home.
Whilst studies have shown that working from home can boost
productivity or make employees happier, it may actually inhibit collaboration,
learning and sharing of ideas. Businesses are continually battling this
conundrum of productivity versus collaboration with companies like Yahoo famously
banning home working in 2013 to mixed reception. Perhaps the answer to this
problem is to create a working environment that encourages the productivity and
happiness of being at home whilst in an office? With this in mind we look at
what the home can teach us about office design.
A Space for Everything
The home is made up of a series of spaces designed for
specific activities. You wouldn’t cook your dinner in the bedroom or sleep in
the bathroom. Similarly, the office should be designed to accommodate quiet
spaces for independent working, open spaces for interaction, break out spaces
for people to take a break or have an informal meeting that doesn’t interrupt
others.
Also, not everyone wants to work at a desk. How many people
prefer to curl up on a sofa when working from home rather than sit at a desk or
table? This ‘Activity-Based Working’ approach provides people with a variety of
workspaces so they can choose the environment that best suits their task or
mood, thus helping them to be more productive. And by providing choice and
autonomy over their work, people will be happier, more engaged and
consequently, more productive.
Let There Be Light
There are is no doubt that access to natural light in the
workplace benefits not only work but also employee wellbeing. We need only look
to a typical British home to understand the importance of natural light to
people. We would rarely choose to have a living space in the home without
access to daylight – so why should the workplace be any different?
The Heart of the Workplace
The kitchen has traditionally been viewed as the ‘heart of
the home’ but now it’s increasingly being viewed as the heart of the workplace.
They say people come together over food, and having a communal space to prepare
and eat food encourages relationships, collaboration and serendipitous
interactions. These in turn can all help to fuel ideas and innovations – a
valuable commodity in the modern business world. It is also a place to work
away from your primary workspace and to refuel your body and mind. It is
important to remember that when you rest your mind, concentration is improved
and creativity can flourish
A Softer Touch
Office design is about more than just desk space and floor
plans, and we are seeing a growing trend for offices designed with a more
homely feel. Break out spaces now have comfy sofas, cool rugs, cushions and
soft lighting. By creating a more comfortable, ‘homey’ space at work you can
replicate the benefits of being at home whilst bringing people into the office.
Financial Benefits – The Bottom Line
The two biggest cost centre’s for any businesses are people
and property. Attracting the very best talent is critical to overall success
and increasingly we are seeing office spaces being used as a tool to attract
and retain this talent. People want to work in a nice environment with the best
available tools to complete their work so investing to create a space where
people want to work can reap dividends.
This can lead to greater staff retention that will not only
lessen recruitment costs but may also lead to increased productivity, decreased
absenteeism and the development of a reputation as a great place to work,
making it easier to recruit.
There are a lot of things the home can teach us about office
design but the main lesson is of choice. When people can choose their homes and
surroundings they will be happier, more satisfied, and want to spend time
there. And the workplace is the same. If you give people the opportunity to
work in a comfortable, flexible space of their choosing, you can create a
positive, productive workplace for everyone.
