Agile working environments are being implemented more and more often, and this trend is expected to continue in 2022 and beyond. An agile work environment optimizes office space by enabling workers to access all areas and resources and allowing others to work remotely, as there are no allocated workstations.
Additionally, this kind of office space is beneficial to both workers and employers since it has been shown to contribute to their overall success. Employee well-being, flexibility, and productivity, as well as savings on the expenses of rent, utilities, maintenance, and cleaning, are all reasons why many companies opt for agile work environments. Find out how to make your workspace more agile by following these big trends in the office design industry.
Cubicles are a thing of the past
The open office concept has been nearly universally adopted by many companies. They took down some cubicles but they left others in place to maintain the sliver of privacy. However, barriers and cubicles are not the most superior way to improve privacy or reduce workplace distractions. They are also not the most aesthetically pleasing design option and impede the collective nature of work.
It is common for agile workplaces to eliminate unnecessary borders between employees, while also providing staff with a workspace free from the noise and distraction that plagues cubicle-based offices. Once the walls come down, your team will be more set on collaborating and mingling with each other, which can extremely improve the overall work atmosphere.
Communal space is important
Agile work environments create a healthy office space free of annoying door knocking while also offering the much-needed space for lounging during the break. For more traditionally designed offices, communal space is only the kitchen and dining area, if there are any in the office at all. With agile workspaces, mostly everything is communal – from the break room area to the working space.
Collaborative areas exude a comfortable living room ambiance, making them contrast to rigorous workplace environments. Having such open-concept spots in your agile workplace also encourages cooperation and creativity. It is acceptable for employees to work in these collaborative spaces or utilize them to chill out after stressful meetings or duties.
Resimercial design
While many individuals worked from home during quarantine, according to a recent survey, most people are happy to return to their office and leave the work-from-home life behind. Though the workers are eager to come back, this does not rule out the possibility of them missing the comfort and convenience of working from home. A blend of commercial and residential characteristics, known as resimercial design, allows employees to get a feel of their home environment while at work.
Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean that you have to compromise the professional feel of your office space. For this sort of agile office space design to work, it is important to strike a balance between comfort, aesthetics, and functionality. One of the most important characteristics of this design includes installing warm ambient lighting instead of the usual fluorescent lights plaguing the typical workspaces. Consider accessorizing your office space with gorgeous soft rugs. They will add a homey touch without being too on the nose. Other great accessory options include coffee tables, lamps, and smaller house plants.
Cozy private niches around the office are a must-have
A crucial aspect of productive office ergonomics is multiple cozy niches scattered around the open-concept space. Have in mind that a key feature of agile workplaces is an open plan architecture with many social spaces. However, this doesn’t mean that private places are unnecessary or that people should be pressured to work in common areas all of the time.
The reality of work is that some activities are better carried out in private places, either for the employees’ personal comfort or to prevent distraction. In order to create a functional agile work environment, you must set up certain private niches which staff members can use for tasks that demand extreme focus. An optimal way to ensure your employees’ privacy is to install acoustic pods around the office which will provide distraction-free islands in your workspace.
Don’t forget about the kitchen
An office kitchen, which is widely acknowledged as the greatest venue for casual meetings, should be large and comfortable enough to serve as a gathering space, therefore promoting deeper social connections. Many people consider the kitchen to be merely a place to get a cup of coffee and get on with their day but this shouldn’t be the case.
This magical room enables individuals to develop their relationships and openly discuss their work in a judgment-free environment. Encourage your employees to have a lunch break at the same time. This may be an entertaining office experience that may double as a subtle team-building exercise.
Wrapping up
If you’d like to optimize your office area while implementing agile space design, you should take note of previously discussed trends. From an open-concept working environment resembling cozy living rooms to a kitchen enticing your staff to have lunch together, agile working spaces truly are proving to be the future of office design.
About the Guest Author
Derek Lotts