Workers in 2018 may feel like they're back at their alma maters as companies redesign work spaces to cater to millennials.
Open office spaces are out, while collaborative spaces are in.
Pendulum Swings Back From Open Offices
The open office plans that trickled down from Silicon Valley haven't delivered on promises of maximized productivity and flexibility, and the pendulum is settling somewhere between traditional cubicle offices and open office plans, Lisa-Marie Gustafson, human resources manager at Hexcel Corporation, told Bloomberg Law.
In lieu of open offices, "lean" spaces are increasing in popularity this year. Lean spaces are devoid of corner offices for senior executives and come with spaces for team collaboration and mobility, she said. These new designs will often have areas that provide quiet and privacy, essentially catering to every individual's need for an ideal work environment.
This mix of private/public space mirrors collegiate life in many ways, Jonathan Webb, vice president of workplace strategy at global furniture manufacturer KI, told Bloomberg Law. New, evolved office designs come with "third spaces" where employees can choose to socialize, work, and collaborate. "Think libraries, commons, cafeterias, which are typically primary work spaces for college kids," Webb said.