Page 27 - From space to place

SOLUTIONS - TIPS TO TREASURE | 27
Both old and new organizational structures see the enormous potential of open networks and an increased need for interaction.
A successful corporate facility must provide the right mix of spaces to support both collaboration and concentration and a quick transition from one modality to another.
The following tips will help you create a good workplace strategy:
1.) Crossroads – increase spontaneous exchange 2.) Proximity – informal meeting spaces
3.) New shapes to cross boundaries
4.) Transparency – Visual contact between people 5.) Creating places vs filling space
1.) Crossroads – increase spontaneous exchange
Meeting people by chance along the office corridors, at the coffee machine or in the break out areas, often leads to short inspiring talks and to the efficient informal shar- ing of information. Do not underestimate these ´crossroads´ while planning the office space because they can boost creativity and promote a good attitude toward innovative working processes. Possible actions are:
Near the workstations – enhance the use of storage elements which both cover needs for storage and provide temporary sitting solutions.
Spaces in between – integrate additional high desk elements in storage configura- tions to make these work settings suitable for short informal meetings.
Near the break areas – positioning high desks and smaller high meeting tables to prompt knowledge sharing between employees.
2.) Proximity – informal meeting spaces
People spontaneously use informal meeting spaces near to the desk areas and work- stations. They should combine a comfortable feeling and worklike look, mixing hard and soft surfaces. Moreover, the use of vertical partitioning could contribute to a better acoustical absorption protecting the desk areas whilst improving verbal intelligibility of conversations between people.
Near the workstation
Spaces in between
Near the break areas