How much does the office furniture matter?
SteveLike most of you, I've worked in all kinds of office layouts over the years. Cube farms, open plan, private offices, 'hotel' desks for more transient workers. I am sure at one time or another I have spent time in all of them.
And I probably don't have any really strong feelings about any of the office spaces I've worked in. They were, and are, mostly forgettable. Aside from the one consulting project years ago where my 'office' was a telecom equipment closet and an extra door propped up on some boxes was my desk. That one I still remember for some reason.
Look like your office?
But there is a growing awareness of the importance of design, intent, and function of things like desks, chairs, conference rooms, and common spaces in the modern office. While some think the future of work will eventually become almost completely virtual, (meaning everyone will work out of a Starbucks or Panera), for most desk jockeys today, the 'office' still is the central and most common place where work gets done.
So while work is changing a lot, where we do work doesn't seem to be changing quite so rapidly. And while this is seems like it will continue, at least for the time being, creating spaces that are adaptable, comfortable, and effectively support the shifting demands of workers and organizations is still important and still should be something HR and talent professionals think about when designing spaces, creating work environments, and procuring office furniture. And if you are still trying to manage that balance between work that wants to be more fluid, collaborative, and virtual; and workplaces, that want to be more, well, static, rigid, and boring, then I suggest you check out this piece from the Workplace Design Magazine site.
The article, a take on the challenges facing workplace designers, is valuable not only for some of the practical design ideas it might provide, but for the approach to design decisions it advocates. Namely, to think about design issue as more that tables, offices, and furniture. To think bigger. From the piece:
In contrast, I believe your job as workplace professional is to support work, wherever and whenever it takes place. And for me “support” means focusing on the work itself, and how it’s being done, almost more than the workplace.
Nice. A more expansive way to see the job of designer. In a way, it is a good piece of advice for any of the classical support functions - facilities, finance, IT, even HR. Focus on the work and not on the tools you want to bring to the table.
It is a really interesting way to look at things, and kind of instructive. If the best workplace designers don't start with blueprints and fabric swatches, what does that say about the way us technologists and talent pros approach our challenges?
Are you thinking about the work first? Or your toolkit?
Reader Comments (20)
My good friend is one of the lead architects on the new GIANT semi-secret petroleum company campus here in Houston. When done, it will be the largest corporate campus in the country. Even super-conservative, hide-bound companies like this one are really thinking hard about how people work, and how their children and their grandchildren will work. They're moving away from executive offices with trophy walls and huge footprints, and instead focusing on enhancing temporary, project-based, collaboration across departments. (That said, each department has it's own building, and I hear the negotiations about who gets which building are pretty epic.) Lots of conference rooms and work rooms, fewer offices, more expectations that people will work remotely.
http://swamplot.com/welcome-to-the-land-of-exxonmobil-a-tour-of-the-companys-new-north-houston-campus/2011-06-07/
Nice Information on Furniture
Franny - thanks for the comments and link. I only actively had a role in one major corporate office build/move and I do remember the epic battles around space, conference rooms, access, etc. In defense of designers, I have to think it is really challenging to create spaces and environments that for cost reasons have to last for 5,10, 15 years, when the business and the ways of working are sure to change many times in that horizon.
Nice article Steve with a really good insight into the importance of good quality and functional Office Fit Outs Remodeling and Design
You made some good quality points there. I did a search on the topic and found many people will agree with your blog.
This office furniture blog truly interactive. I really loved this post. You explain this topic very well. I really love your blog and I will definitely bookmark it! Keep up the interesting posts!
A interesting reflective article! Office Furniture is important :)
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If you are looking to make an investment in the hope that it will rise in value, make sure that you research the designer you are interested in and see how the value of their work has changed over the years. Also look at how well known they are compared to what potential you think they have.
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Your Blog is nice and informative.I found a resoucre of office furniture specially Commercial & Industrial Shelving or visit http://www.officesalesusa.com/office-furniture/Industrial-Commercial-Shelving.php.
I think it matters a lot. For me it is important for it will also regulates office daily activity.
Great post
Ergonomic chairs really make a difference. I just bought a Herman Miller Aeron and it is turning out to be a great chair. No more back pain and it's really comfortable. It a really great office chair
It matters a lot! Great post.
Nice blog.thanks for our information.we also provide Office Furniture Solutions offers space planning and design. Our professionals can assist you by visiting your new or existing location; provide a computer assisted 2D and 3D visual floor plan that allows you to envision the furniture and/or cubicles that will create your new work environment.
Very interesting article, Steve; I have to say, the picture of the office that you included in your article was very neat to look at! My company is going to be moving to a new building soon, and I'm in charge of finding new office furniture, and different kinds of furnishings to put throughout the space. We have a few different stores nearby, but I'll have to make sure that I find something that's adaptable, comfortable, and effective. (Just like what you said in your article!) Thanks for the advice!
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I really loved this post. You explain this topic very well. I really love your blog and I will definitely bookmark it! Keep up the interesting posts!
People who sit down to work for long periods of time run a high risk of low-back injury, second only to those who lift heavy weights, and the risks increase with age. Also, the total number of lost work days and the cost of each back injury are increasing. Second, as economies worldwide shift over to knowledge work, more people are sitting down on the job than ever before. In fact, you are probably reading this summary at work, and you’re likely to be sitting down. Researchers observed and cataloged movements of 40 office workers for a combined total of 160 hours. As a group, these workers spent 93 percent of their time sitting in an office chair. Finally, people in every office are doing work that has been radically influenced by the computer. They don’t have to get up often, because all the information they need is one keystroke away. And with much of the information “processed” on screen, they have less variety in their work and fewer reasons to work away from the computer. Thus it is important to buy right quality chairs and tables. DigitalBuyer is an office products retailer specializing in fireproof file cabinets & safes, office furniture, industrial materials handling, office equipment, and commercial products. They proudly serve government, education, corporate, and end-users with everyday low prices and personalized service. They have wide range of office furniture including Office Chairs Office Tables & Desks, File Cabinets, Fireproof File Cabinets, Security & Fireproof Safes, Room Dividers & Partitions’ Display Cases' Storage & Shelving' Office Decor & Accessories, More Furniture. https://www.linkedin.com/company/digitalbuyer-com
Just like other interiors induce feelings within you, so does office furniture. The color, type, and design of the furniture sets the mood. Brighter colors are better for creative jobs, elegant furniture is better for more professional ones. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Thanks for sharing this informative blog. Many health issues are reported by people who work a long time in front of a computer. Right office furniture can solve this problem. As office furniture manufacturers and suppliers we always make products with ergonomic features.
Great Blog.Very Informative
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