We are seeing something unprecedented in the office—the freedom to choose. With the dynamic office, employees can enjoy office flexibility, fluid workspaces and a work/life balance they didn’t have before.
A Change in Office Culture and Design
As we say goodbye to 2023 and ring in a new year, we’re seeing profound changes in the office that delivers more of a balance between the needs and wants of the company and those of the employees. Productivity and efficiency remains the goal, but now companies are taking more initiative to be considerate of employee wellbeing and satisfaction when designing the spaces in which they work in.
Why?
Photo: Friant Novo Workstation
Recent years of the pandemic aftermath showed us that less rigid work schedules and flexible hours are not only a viable option for many — but possibly the best solution. A contradiction to the traditional work model, post-pandemic times reveal that people don’t necessarily have to be in the office all the time in order to do their best work. According to research conducted by the International Workplace Group, a company dedicated to helping others embrace hybrid working, working in their preferred spaces and having flexible work schedules even increased employees’ productivity.
So how does this progressive work-style change the landscape of our modern office spaces? A lot.
From Traditional to Dynamic
Conventional 9-to-5 hours and 5-day work schedules have in the past shaped our offices to be the traditional workspaces we’ve come to know. This relatively regimented work culture was very much reflected in the way offices were designed.
Before, a company would have specific rooms for very specific purposes. Guests were welcomed entering through a formal reception and sitting area. There would be one or two main conference rooms that everyone would need to schedule to use. Desks and workstations were strictly only in designated work spaces. Usually, there was one appointed training or multi-purpose room. And all employees took their breaks inside the company lounge or break room.
Photo: Scale 1to1 G Series Workstation and Lounge is perfect for the Dynamic Office
In dramatic contrast, the offices we’re seeing today are much different. They’re being designed and furnished as self-sustaining “neighborhoods” if you will, working more fluidly and organically to not just optimize worker productivity, but better serve employees via an office experience they never had before.
This is the Dynamic Office. And we’re going to see a lot more of it.
A Closer Look at the Dynamic Office
What is a dynamic office? A dynamic office is designed to be intuitive to the employee’s natural way of working, offering them choice, flexibility and freedom in choosing the environments that cultivate their productivity and bring out their best work. It’s multi-faceted and multi-purpose. It provides workers various types of settings to concentrate and work in; connect and collaborate with others; and thrive as modern professionals.
Photo: Snowsound Snowpouf Sound Absorbing Chair
The idea behind the dynamic office meaning is to spark enthusiasm and engagement by accommodating employees in the ways they live and work today. A combination of private, semi-private and open spaces, dynamic offices consist of various functioning environments that can facilitate different types of activities.
Private offices can double as a space for focused work, as well as impromptu meetings or one-on-one trainings. Mobile workstations nested together are ideal for team projects, but can also be separated and sectioned off for individuals needing to concentrate. Work-pods and private booths may also be used for focused work, especially as touch-down stations for those on-the-go or on hybrid schedules. But they can also be used for smaller groups to meet, share ideas and collaborate. Formal conference rooms can double as training rooms, and training rooms as employee breakrooms with kitchens. The office reception area may also be used as an employee lounge, touchdown area or training room.
Photo: Scandinavian Spaces Deli Chairs
Dynamic offices are designed to be flexible, adaptable and reconfigurable. They’re meant to accommodate multiple work styles, interactions and schedules. But most importantly, they’re designed with the employees’ wellbeing and satisfaction in mind.
The Dynamic Office for Hybrid Work
HON Office Furniture said it best: “[We need to shift] into a hybrid way of thinking about our environments.” Hybrid work is ongoing and is definitely here to stay.
To many, splitting time between being in the office and out is the healthiest equilibrium we’ve seen in the workplace since the office was a concept. That’s why hybrid work is in the heart of the dynamic office design. It provides flexibility for employees to choose the most effective way for them to work and enables a healthy work/life balance that not only accommodates diverse work styles, but for some, optimizes productivity and efficiency.
Hybrid work also has the side effect and benefit of downsizing office spaces. Since less people have to come in on a daily basis, companies don’t need to invest in or lease huge buildings for office space any more, helping them save money. This is why the dynamic office works so well, being able to accommodate multiple types of work styles in multiple types of adaptable and reconfigurable settings. It’s a leaner approach to office space management, and smarter way for companies to downsize and save on capital.
The Dynamic Office for Hot-Desking
A particular strength of the dynamic office is its inherent ability to accommodate hot-desking. Hot-desking has been around for many decades, mostly to accommodate freelance or contract workers, but is now even more popular with the surge of hybrid work. It’s an office organization system where workers do not have their own individual workstations anymore. Instead they choose where and how they want to work from available desks, tables and workstations within the designated rooms and common areas that day.
Hot-desking also carries the key characterization of employee autonomy. It’s one of the many benefits, along with improved collaboration and better employee relationships, as hot-desking gives people the opportunity to work alongside coworkers they may not see otherwise.
Photo: Arcadia TOOaPICNIC Work-pod
Making Your Office Dynamic
How do you design and create a dynamic office? Implement ergonomically flexible furniture, office accessories and technology to your workspaces so that they can adapt to different work styles. They should ideally be modular, portable and easy to set up.
Think Global River Lounge or Rouillard Block seating to configure various lounge arrangements in your reception or lounge area. Add DARRAN Bota, Encore Particles or OFS Strap pull up tables for people who want to work on their tablets or laptops. Lounge areas are infinitely versatile and can be repurposed into a cafeteria or training room with mobile tables like the AMQ Concur tables.
Photo: AMQ Concur Training Tables
Scandinavian Spaces Deli seating is the perfect dynamic office chair, with its casters and stackability for ease-of-use and storage. For other environments, you can set up private or semi-private workspaces with Arcadia’s Co-op work-booths or OFS Heya Lounge seating. Carve out quiet spaces using architectural walls like Loftwall Rooms Wall System and Trendway Clear Wall. Sound-absorbing technology from Snowsound optimizes acoustics and help to dampen noise to facilitate focused work and concentration.
Photo: Arcadia TOOtheLOUNGE Seating & Work-pods
Work-pods are great for spontaneous meetings and for people to collaborate, such as Arcadia’s TOOtheLOUNGE or TOOaPICNIC. For workstations, the Scale 1:1 G Series Workstation is an excellent work-desk/lounge solution that encourages connectivity and sharing of ideas. And Global Terina or Global Bungee tables are great for nesting together for team work or breaking apart for individual work.
A Dynamic Office That’s Works for You
The dynamic office gives freedom, stability and choice back to the employees. It is a stark contrast to the past, when office spaces mirrored a work culture that was more rigid and regimented. But as people, we have always been dynamic. And now there’s finally an office design that reflects human nature and is a wellspring of innovation and creativity.
Thank you dynamic office. We’re glad to finally have you.
We’re Here to Help
Ready to change up your office space? If you’re looking to make your workspace more dynamic, 2010 Office Furniture can help. With over 50 years of combined expert experience in commercial office furniture and space planning, we’re one of the top design and retail providers to some of Southern Californias most recognizable corporations, universities, non-profits and more.
2010 Office Furniture can show you how to optimize your office space and provide a dynamic office experience to help keep your employees engaged and happy. Contact us today with any questions and let us know of your potential project needs.
Read Also: 2024 Office Trends to Create an Engaging Office Environment
Main Photo: SitOnIt Qwiz Collaboration & Training Seating
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: AMQ, Arcadia, Friant, Scale 1to1, Scandinavian Spaces, SitOnIt Seating & Snowsound