Category: Research

Balancing “We” and “Me”

This article, written by Steelcase researchers and published in the Harvard Business Review, really addresses the balance between the top two factors for productivity and satisfaction:

  1. The ability to do distraction-free solo work
  2. Support for impromptu interactions

Which are, of course, inherently contradictory.

Workplace Trends

Searching for the Holy Grail of workplace design?  Does it exist?  Probably not, or at least it looks a little different for every situation.  This article describes some changes in thought and direction that we have definitely been seeing and implementing over the last few years (Including opening a co-working space in Winston-Salem, Flywheel).  Schneider’s comments on transparency are true, but we are also seeing a trend toward transparency in terms of not keeping things behind closed doors…

Activity Spaces Defined

How can our building environments and spaces keep up with the fast-paced, ever-changing workforce? Gone are the days when private offices reigned supreme and when the water cooler was the only casual meeting place where you could share a collaborative conversation with a coworker. Today, you can have a video conference call while riding the subway on your way to your next client meeting.

Technology has changed the way we work and think. With a new techno-savvy workforce about to hit the market, our work spaces need to change too.  Knoll has provided us with a short illustrative video to inform us just what these spaces are and what they need to accomplish in order to make our work successful.

Refuge – ‘Get away’ space for focus or private one-on-one conversations

Enclave – ‘Get together’ area for a small group to exchange ideas

Team Meeting – Gathering space for a team project meeting

Assembly – Planned interactions and collaborative work

Community – ‘Town center’ spaces to encourage impromptu connections