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OFFICE
SPACES

Designing Designing Collaborative Office Spaces

Collaborative A by Stienie Greyling

everything, and employees increasingly
collaborative space is a room or
area of an office which allows
want a say in the design decisions that shape
their working environment.
people to come together to
Office spaces solve problems, exchange ideas and work Why is a collaborative office essential?
towards common goals.
Today, collaboration is the basis of
Collaboration is the key to a functional
and fulfilling workspace. Employees
most knowledge workers. Many of these
who feel connected and co-oporate on
employees are highly specialised; think
building projects are more productive.
They are also more likely to deliver a high of them as individual players on a sports
team. They won’t get much done alone, but
standard of work. they can tackle complex problems with lots
Creating a collaborative workspace is of moving parts when they work together.
about encouraging free-flowing commun- Although the role of the office has
ication, creativity and productivity. It is changed, it has not diminished. As a
also about equipping the workspace and result, companies are working hard to
employees with what they need to succeed. draw employees back into their spaces,
Designing collaborative workspaces fostering in-person exchanges that result
involves careful consideration of several in more innovation.
factors, such as office layout, flexibility and There’s a natural rhythm to
the use of technology. Traditional office collaboration. People need to focus alone
spaces with open-plan areas, meeting or in pairs to generate ideas or process
rooms and breakout spaces have evolved information; then they come together as a
to accommodate different working styles. group to build on those ideas or develop a
There are a variety of approaches shared point of view; and then they break
to consider when it comes to creating apart again to take next steps. The more
collaborative office spaces, and collaborative demanding the collaboration task, the
spaces themselves can make different more individuals need private moments
forms. From informal breakout zones, of private to think or recharge.
overflow spaces and lounge areas, to formal A collaborative office space needs to be
meeting rooms, brainstorming areas and versatile, to accommodate different work
seminar space, companies need to define styles and activities. Movable furniture
the collaborative workspace that works and modular walls allow teams to
best for their employees. Even courtyards reconfigure their environment as needed.
and kitchen areas can facilitate meaningful This flexibility supports everything from
in-person contact and conversations. The formal presentations to impromptu
vital thing to remember is that choice is discussions.

38 Issue 290 • dw