These days a Wi-Fi connection is all it takes to develop serious office envy. When a few clicks in a browser can take you inside the world’s “coolest” offices, expectations instantly rise for unique amenities and features—from hip office bars to the truly extraordinary. Think treehouse-style workspaces and custom game rooms.
Unfortunately, that bubble bursts for many office tenants when they start touring spec suites in real life. They see space after space that resembles one another, like walking through a row of cookie-cutter houses in a master plan community.
The reality is that not every organization needs or wants a highly customized office, particularly if they have a short timeline, limited budget or uncertain growth projections. But everyone does want a space that works for their company culture and inspires their employees to do their best work.
By nature, spec suites are designed to appeal to the most tenants possible—plug-and-play spaces that fit the needs of just about anyone who needs square footage for desks and meeting areas. In turn, spec suite design is becoming more formulaic as architects and designers work from a common set of requirements. When all suites have a similar ratio of open workstations to desks to conference rooms, it’s hard to find opportunities to differentiate one suite from another space in the building down the street.
Building owners who want their space to stand out will be happy to know that designing a spec suite doesn’t have to be a paint-by-number exercise. Through creative, use-oriented design and some added effort, it’s possible to break the mold to create a space that is truly differentiated.