200 West Jackson in Chicago offers The Notch on the 28th floor, a bar and recreation area that mimics a hotel’s indoor/outdoor lounge, including a reception area and operable windows with a view of downtown. Credit: James Steinkamp Photography
There are many factors that influence contemporary office design besides the type of business that will occupy the space, how many employees it must accommodate and the culture of the organization. Changing work habits come into play, too. A recent study showed that up to 70 percent of knowledge-worker professionals work remotely at least one day a week, and more than 50 percent do so more often than that.
For these people, and their colleagues who are there from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, the office should be welcoming and comfortable while also driving productivity. Workplace-focused designers can take some tips from an industry for which those are fundamental: hospitality.
Look to some of the smaller boutique hotels, with their emphasis on style, personality and truly personal comfort and service. The emphasis is on the quality of the user experience. Here are seven ways that amenities characteristic of that hospitality niche can improve the work space.
A rooftop that puts you above the rest
Guests in upscale, urban hotels have come to practically expect outdoor space on the roof. Almost always with a bar, these spaces provide stylish and comfortable seating in both small, intimate cabana type enclosures and larger “rooms” that can accommodate dozens. These rooftop watering holes typically become after-work hotspots, and the same concept has been incorporated into some forward-thinking office design.
For example, the roof of the 17th floor of 1 North Dearborn in Chicago provides tenants not only with outdoor space in which to work, have lunch or simply get some fresh air, it also includes a lounge with a fireplace, games and a custom mural. This expansion of the property’s amenities increases tenant satisfaction without any reduction of leasable space, and with an unexpected and environmentally conscientious extra perk: The roof is home to a working beehive, and at the end of the year each tenant receives a jar of honey.
A room with a view
You don’t need a roof deck to give tenants air, light and a refreshing getaway. A large room with floor to ceiling windows will do, especially if the windows can be opened to enhance the view with fresh air. The room can become a lounge, workspace or both. Beyond providing space for work, coffee breaks and small group meetings, these casual environments can create the feel of a private club and cultivate a sense of community in both multi-tenant buildings and individual company spaces.
200 W. Jackson in Chicago offers The Notch on the 28th floor, a bar and recreation area that mimics a hotel’s indoor/outdoor lounge, including a reception area and working windows with a view of downtown. A couple of blocks away, the bar in 123 N. Wacker’s lounge includes a barista during the workday, and tenants can reserve the space to serve cocktails at private functions after 5:00.
Get the fitness center in shape
The benefits of a fitness center in the workplace are obvious, and it’s not just about convenience and maintaining wellness anymore. A quality fitness experience contributes to employee retention.