Designing a Collaborative Office Space to Ignite Creativity and Productivity at Work

Designing a Collaborative Office Space SitOnIt Seating Collaboration

The collaborative office space is a growing trend in today’s modern workspaces, with its importance and popularity gaining much momentum especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. These spaces are designed to foster teamwork, communication, and creativity among employees. 

What is a Collaborative Space?

What is the collaborative space definition? Collaborative office spaces are specially designed areas where individuals can come together, share ideas, and work towards a common goal. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of collaborative spaces, the type of office furniture needed, and why it’s important to have in the office, especially after Covid.Designing a Collaborative Office Space Arcadia TOOtheLOUNGE Seating
Photo: Arcadia TOOtheLOUNGE Seating

Both Arcadia TOOaPICNIC and TOOtheLOUNGE Seating can provide great setups for a collaborative area.  Their innovative booth-like designs and built-in worksurface tables offer a haven for small groups to share ideas and work, while minting some quiet and privacy.

Designing a Collaborative Office Space Arcadia TOOaPICNIC Lounge
Photo: Arcadia TOOaPICNIC Lounge Seating

Benefits of the Collaborative Office Space

Collaborative spaces provide numerous benefits to employees and the organization as a whole. These benefits include increased creativity, enhanced communication, heightened productivity and improved employee satisfaction.

Inspire Company Creativity

A great advantage of offering a collaborative office space to your employees is having a designated area for them to brainstorm, exchange information and share ideas.  This cultivates creativity and innovation, which then leads to developing new products and services.

Collaborative Office Interiors that Spark Communication

A collaborative workspace helps to break down communication barriers and encourage employees to share their thoughts and ideas openly. This leads to better communication among team members and helps to build strong relationships.

Designing a Collaborative Office Space OFS Lotive Tables
Photo: OFS Lotive Tables

The Lotive Table from OFS is efficient and streamlined, light enough to transport anywhere.  With many whimsical colors available, workers can easily have their own individual Lotive Table set up in front of them as they work together in groups.

Heighten Office Productivity

Setting up a collaborative area with the appropriate collaborative office furniture can provide a conducive environment for employees to work together towards a common goal. This leads to increased productivity and better performance.

Achieve Improved Employee Satisfaction

Smart space planning and the right furniture selection are important.   A comfortable, well-thought out collaborative office layout can help to create a sense of community among employees, leading to improved job satisfaction and engagement.

Designing a Collaborative Office Space Loftwall Rooms Wall System
Photo: Loftwall Rooms Wall System

Loftwall Rooms Wall System can help carve out spaces in your office, to designate areas for collaboration.  With three space models available and nine standard typicals to choose from, you can configure a set up that’s as private or open as you need it to be.

Collaborative Office Furniture

The type of collaborative office furniture needed in a collaborative office space depends on the type of activity that will be taking place in the space. When planning a collaborative office design, some common furniture items that must be considered include:

1. Office Seating: A collaborative office space design require comfortable seating that can accommodate different people and activities. Seating options may include lounge chairs, sofas, and benches.

2. Office Tables: These spaces require tables that can accommodate different types of collaborative work activities. Tables may include occasional or cafe tables, standing tables, and conference tables.

3. Office Storage: A collaborative office space design requires storage options for items such as books, files, and equipment. Storage options may include shelves, cabinets, and drawers.

4. Office Accessories and Technology: Collaborative spaces require accessories and technology that can support collaborative work activities. This may include large screens, video conferencing equipment, and whiteboards.

Designing a Collaborative Office Space Scale 1to1 MonoLink Space Divider
Photo: Scale 1:1 MonoLink Space Divider

Scale 1:1 Marc Marker Board and MonoLink Space Divider are great for brainstorming and sharing ideas, as well as providing separation and privacy.  While the Catalina Work Island from DeskMakers offer a collaborative worksurface with built in storage below.  Its also on wheels for quick impromptu meetings, and can be moved easily from room to room.

Designing a Collaborative Office Space DeskMakers Catalina Work Island
Photo: DeskMakers Catalina Work Island

Importance of Collaborative Spaces After Covid

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way we work and interact with each other. As we continue to adjust to the new normal, appropriate covid office furniture in collaborative space design has become more important than ever. Some important reasons for collaborative covid office solutions are: to address ongoing office social distancing that still exist in some offices; improve office flexibility to support remote or work-from-home workers; promote mental health; and inspire company growth and innovation.  Enwork’s Skyline Screen allows social distancing at work while meeting with others by providing clear barricades to be set up on table tops.

1. Social Distancing: With the need for social distancing in some businesses still existing, a specially designed collaborative office space provides a safe environment where employees can work together while maintaining a safe distance.

2. Flexibility: Collaborative spaces provide flexibility in terms of work arrangements. With remote work becoming more common, these spaces provide a space where employees can come together and work on projects when needed.

3. Mental Health: Provide an environment where employees can interact with each other and build relationships. Collaborative spaces help to promote mental health and wellbeing, especially during times of stress and uncertainty, as well as ongoing remote work that typically isolate employees.

4. Innovation: Collaborative spaces provide an environment where employees can come together and share ideas. Oftentimes, it’s the act of interaction and collaboration among peers and colleagues that help spark new discoveries.  This leads to innovation and the development of new products and services.Designing a Collaborative Office Space Rouillard Coast Media Table
Photo: Rouillard Coast Media Table

The Rouillard Coast Media Table provides a flexible and informal collaborative office setup, perfect for video-conferencing and brainstorming with others.  Available in 3 sizes and multiple finishes, you can customize its fabric and colors to match any style. Enjoy its high-quality sound-absorbing properties for great acoustics, and wire management for instant connectivity.

Designing Your Collaborative Office Interiors

Collaborative spaces have become an essential part of modern offices, providing numerous benefits to employees and the organization as a whole.  Remember that the collaborative office layout you design, along with the collaborative space furniture you choose, are critical in creating an office space that doesn’t only look attractive and pleasing—but one that works! 

Need Collaborative Space Ideas?

As we continue to adjust to the new normal, the collaborative office space has become more important than ever, providing a safe environment, flexibility, mental health benefits, and opportunities for innovation.  If you need collaborative space ideas and guidance, the experts at 2010 Office Furniture can help—with more than a combined half-century of working with clients who are among Southern California’s largest corporations, nonprofit organizations, and robust small businesses.

Contact them with your space planning and furnishing needs, to make your office workspace not only more functional, but a desirable place to work.

Read Also: Design and Plan Your Office for Collaboration and Inspiration
Main Photo: SitOnIt Seating Collaboration Setup
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Arcadia, DeskMakers, OFS, Rouillard, Scale 1:1 & SitOnIt Seating

Harnessing the Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces

Harnessing the Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces

Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces

The benefits of collaborative workspaces are found in offices that are designed well and provide an efficient flow of information and open communication conducive to promoting camaraderie and relationships. A “flat” organization can maximize collaborative spaces in different ways than companies that are run top-down with a focus on individual performance.

Open office layouts are usually the only ones thought of as collaborative. A 2011 article from Harvard Business Review, Inventing the Collaborative Workspace, states that most buildings are suited for individual work with cubicles and private offices. But efficient communication can be built into many layouts. Read on to discover how to set up collaborative spaces and their benefits.

Completing Tasks

Where work tasks are carried out are natural places for collaborative workspaces. Tech companies have been known to drive the collaborative work space approach. Creative firms like ad agencies and production companies require brainstorming and group effort around campaigns and TV or film development.  Open bench seating is an excellent solution with options like Friant’s Verity Open Plan Benching that gives a modern, professional and orderly appearance to office spaces. Want to promote movement and creative collaboration? The G Series Desk Lounge by Scale 1:1 is flexible for many office needs.

What if your office is more traditional or requires individual attention to projects? It’s still possible to set a tone for collaboration and open communication using appropriate desking and dividers.  A range of cubicles are available that don’t create a generic walled look. The EO workstation by Global allows for personal boundaries and openness. Modular Walls by Open Plan Systems is another way to have personal space without solid walls.

Sharing Ideas

Providing brainstorming and discussion is another one of the benefits of collaborative workspaces. Even companies with brick walls and doors between desks can promote sharing. A common room or large open space can be turned into a comfortable lounge.  The Serafina Modular lounge offers professional seating solution to common office areas while sharing ideas in a flexible lounge system is the concept behind Share by Stylex.

In many cases, comfortable seating, a white board along with some beverages gets discussion flowing.

Solving Problems

A team that brings multiple perspectives to a problem can reduce individual burdens and provide lasting solutions. Not only can clients benefit, but internal needs such as deciding on new product launches can be handled effectively.  Bringing people together isn’t always easy so make sure to set up the physical environment to promote problem solving. Gathering around a conference table is the norm but a smaller, modular approach like the Dewey Collection can be great for presenting a topic and then inviting small groups to break it down.

Building Relationships

Everyone needs to contribute their skills and ideas to make an office function at its peak. Since people have up and down days, a team approach can provide support. A company that’s aiming for collaboration at work can go far by building healthy relationships.  Clearly defining goals and tasks in a community based on problem solving can lay the foundation for a satisfying work experience. Challenging days are unavoidable. But when the office layout is designed to promote discussion and collaboration then challenges can be overcome.

Enjoy the Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces

An office space is more than desks and chairs. If you are interested in designing your office to help you reap the benefits of collaborative workspaces, please don’t hesitate to ask us for help.  Our office furniture experts are here to guide you and help you every step of the way.

Image Source: OFS