Trends, But Not As We Know Them! : Chapter V Collaboration
As part of the collection of blogs ‘Trends But Not As We Know Them!’ this week’s chapter focuses on collaboration.
The topic of collaboration, within office interior design and fit out, has become increasingly important post pandemic. COVID-19 saw a rise in home and hybrid working resulting in extra effort being required to find ways for workplace teams to successfully communicate and collaborate.
Meeting rooms traditionally were the only space for group gatherings, but now businesses and office interior design and fit out companies are moving away from these formal spaces as the only option and integrating agile environments that foster social interaction.
Office interior design and fit out companies should apply innovative designs to encourage collaboration with careful thought. The layout and careful selection of furniture play a part in creating the right environment to enable collaborative working to happen naturally.
As outlining in one of my previous blogs, offering flexibility and a variety of different types of spaces for both large and small gatherings is important. Many furniture manufacturers have cottoned on to this, offering light weight movable furniture, which allows easy scaling up of an environment.
Comfortable booths, and soft seating offer a pleasant alternative to the boardroom table, creating an air of intimacy.
Teaming collaboration spaces with breakout areas, where people can grab a coffee or bite to eat during a meeting with teammates, can foster a welcoming collaborative environment.
Consideration, from office interior design and fit out companies, should be given when designing office workspaces for larger corporations who need a gathering space for the whole team, often referred to as the Town Hall. Bleacher seating, such as Spacetor’s Bleacher range shown below, is a useful piece of office furniture to create a tiered seating space to gather on. For a more economical alternative stackable stools or chairs can be offered.
The key to good office interior design, when factoring in collaboration, is to create a central hub. An inviting space which attracts co-workers to take a moment away from their desk and get together with others. If the company is fortunate enough to have outdoor space, this too can be used as a space to gather.
Hybrid working has brought about challenges in relation to collaboration and communication amongst the office workforce. A good interior design and fit out company will consider how to factor into their designs areas that encourage social interaction to support with these challenges.
Contact us to find out how we can help transform your office workplace to encourage collaborative working.
