The age of the flexible office space is well and truly upon us, but how do business owners adapt their existing office structures to accommodate these changes?
Whether we like it or not, the way we work, eat, and play has changed for the foreseeable future. In turn, businesses from all sectors have been forced to adapt accordingly, with even the humble office workspace getting a makeover. With hybrid remote employment agreements, social distancing and density requirements now regarded as the ‘new normal’, the simple fact of the matter is that how we need our workplaces to function isn’t quite the same as it once was.
In turn, many enterprises have embraced an office refit or renovation as a means to adapt accordingly. While health and safety is of course a top priority, so is designing a flexible office space that can accommodate a diverse workforce as more of us embrace working from home – but what exactly does a ‘flexi office’ look like, and what should one include?
The Concept Of A Flexible Office Space Explained
While undeniably cost-effective, remote workplace agreements tend to significantly inhibit collaboration, even with access to digital communication channels. So much so, that a recent study conducted over a four year period found that remote workers communicated almost 80% less about their assignments than collocated team members did, with 17% indicating that they didn’t communicate at all.
Needless to say, if your workspace, industry or sector needs team members to interact to achieve project milestones on time – or indeed do their jobs properly – then you don’t want them working remotely. However, the world in which we now live has significantly reduced our options when it comes to the choice between working from home versus being present in the office, particularly when referring to office density and capacity limits.
As such, the result is the rise of the hybrid office, where employees can either work from the office, work from their homes, or a mix of the two. In turn, this means that employers are expected to provide a flexible office space that can cater to the diverse needs of this hybrid workforce, while still keeping safety, hygiene and overall efficiency at top of mind – so what are a few of the basics to consider when designing a flexible office space?
Comfort Is Key – Many employees may be reluctant to return to the office if they’ve enjoyed working from the comfort of home. As a result, aim to incorporate some of these comforts into your flexible office design, such as couches where team members can retreat to away from high traffic areas of the office that people congregate around.
Go For An Open Plan Design – The era of the closed cubicle is dead, and has been replaced with alternatives such as hot desks, communal tables, and all kinds of seating to cater for the diverse needs of your office workforce who often aren’t even in the office. While having a few closed rooms is necessary for meetings, aim to go open plan for a fully flexible office space.
Avoid Excess Congestion – The safety features of your workplace are often actually legal requirements, and should be given consideration long before the office renovation actually gets started. Contactless integrated technology can help manage check ins for legal requirements, and cloud based software can help to minimise movement yet maximise collaboration.
Cater To Video Calls – As workplaces become more and more virtual, our reliance on communication technologies will only increase. As such, consider introducing multimedia solutions in your office to help you collaborate better with both your staff and your clients, such as dedicated video conferencing rooms for Zoom meetings.
Deploy Soundproofing – Sound is often reported as being the most disruptive distraction in an open office. Instead of hard tiles, consider flooring that absorbs footsteps. In areas that attract conversations and more intense collaboration, add in sound absorbing panels or walls that dampen or eliminate sounds from other areas to allow a peaceful workplace for everyone else.
Encourage Autonomy – Many employees have enjoyed the freedom and lack of micro management that comes with working from home, so encourage areas that allow that same sense of flexibility and independence. However, this also needs to be reflected in the attitude of management, so don’t breathe down their necks if you want that productivity to stay.
Include Integrated Technology – A hybrid or remote workforce relies on technology. Other than eliminating the need for bulky machines and pesky cords, integrated technology like wireless devices, cloud based storage and even digital whiteboards are transforming the way businesses work, and enables them to streamline processes and improve productivity.
If you’re moving forward with a new office fitout for your brand or business, try to remember that it’s unlikely that we’ll be going back to the way things were before – if we ever do. Along with not getting left behind, a flexible office space is also likely to wow your clients, visitors and customers, but also attract the right types of talent when it comes to showing off what working at your business is all about, and why people would want to work there.
Partnering With The Professionals For An Office Renovation
Whether you’re considering a residential or commercial facelift, it’s always important to speak to a professional before you start tearing down a wall or two. In operation for over ten years, Brisbane based Kibo Constructions believe that quality, reliable workmanship with an honest approach shouldn’t be the exception to the rule.
With a wealth of experience in office fitouts already under our belts, our in house joinery provides access to having your very own custom home furniture and features such as tables, desks, shelves and drawers to fit any space or design requirements necessary. By working closely with our clients, we ensure that the entire process is both a transparent and enjoyable experience from start to finish – after all, undertaking a construction project shouldn’t be painful.
If you know that there’s an upcoming project for you, your brand or your business, we would love the opportunity to provide a quote – you might be pleasantly surprised at the result. As we specialise in commercial, hospitality and residential fit out options in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, please get in touch to discuss how we can bring your vision to life.