Where you work matters. And I’m not talking about the profession itself, although that is important too, but rather the design of where you work. It matters – and probably a whole lot more than you think. The chairs, desks, lighting, kitchen, bathrooms, flooring, plants – everything combines to make a difference on your mood and eventual work performance. The office is a place where somepeople spend an estimated 90,000 hours of their adult lives, so clearly its design should provide optimal enjoyment and productivity for any company’s most important asset: the employees.
But, alas, this is not always the case. The drab office designs of the 1980s and 1990s continue to infect the modern office of today, turning off millenials and hurting worker productivity in the process. Companies who do not refit their office spaces usually use the budget as an excuse for upgrade omissions. However, office upgrades are not only related to open offices and modern designs. The simple addition of collaborative spaces has been proven to increase worker happiness, output and general wellbeing. And that’s not to mention the small costs incurred when introducing shared spaces to outdated corporate offices. So, let’s take a deeper dive into what collaborative spaces are and why such a small change can make all the difference:
An area for all
Office designs of the past have typically favored cubicles and segregated work spaces. You know the ones: rows upon rows of desks which are partitioned and separated. Such designs actively discourage collaboration and result in a high-stress work environment. This neither benefits the employees nor the companies in such offices. And, really, will such spaces entice remote workers to come to the office? Or retain millennials at the company? Enter collaborative spaces.
These are designated areas where employees are invited to meet, share, and, well, collaborate. It should be noted that they aren’t open offices – but simply spaces for different departments to link up in neutral territory. They are a melting pot for ideas, spaces where workers of any department or position can canvas proposals or suggestions without fear of ruffling the corporate feathers. There is a reason progressive companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook already design their offices with shared amenities and group areas – because it has a proven benefit on the entire company.
A small change makes a big difference
Introducing these spaces does not mean an entire office overhaul. Collaborative spaces can be as simple or as excessive as desired – from designated group spaces to air-hockey tables. The idea is to at least provide spaces for workers to get together collaboratively instead of competitively. Beanbags, whiteboards, computer monitors and even new paint can promote positive employee behaviors. Collaborative spaces can even take the shape of lounge areas which offer a place for workers to take short breaks and restore their attention spans. These alterations may appear trivial but can have a meaningful impact. For instance, better lighting and warmer colors inside an office environment has been proven to “impact mood and can also affect productivity.”
While the formal, scheduled meetings of yesteryear facilitate large group work processes and eventual decision-making, expectations around office work have since changed. As office supply manufacturer Knoll notes contemporary employees increasingly desire social connection while organizations need operational innovation – and innovation does not come from stuffy board room meetings. It is created from and nurtured through informal, creative interactions with colleagues. Collaborative spaces allow smaller groups in more flexible settings to share their ideas without fear of reproach. Workers can use these spaces without head honchos looking over their shoulder to agree on and hone ideas before more formalized meetings.
WeWork co-founder and chief creative officer Miguel McKelvey explained it best: “When you start a conversation when you’re at the coffee machine, you can quickly sit down after and have a 20-minute meeting … If you have to reserve a conference room to finish that conversation, then you lose time. It’s not efficient.” But perhaps more than operational efficiencies or increased productivity is the emotional culture that collaborative spaces can foster.