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Offering Freedom and Flexibility with the Dynamic Office Design

Dynamic Office Design SitOnIt Seating Quiz Chairs

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.

Creating a Touchdown Space to Empower Your Employees

Creating a Touchdown Space OFS LeanTo Lounge

In recent years, a new trend has emerged in office design: touchdown spaces. A touchdown space provides employees with a flexible and versatile working environment. It allows them to work effectively, efficiently and dynamically. In this article, we’ll explore what touchdown spaces are, the different types, and how they benefit employees.

What is a Touchdown Space?

Because many wonder what the touchdown space meaning is, let’s break it down. A touchdown space describes a flexible workspace that’s typically laptop-centric and designed for short-term use. These spaces are usually located in high-traffic areas of an office, such as near the reception area or other central location. In some cases in a privately carved out space. Touchdown spaces are designed to be accessible and comfortable. They’re also designed to cater to employees who are typically on-the-go and need a space to work briefly for an an hour or so, right before their next scheduled task somewhere else. Functional, comfortable and convenient for everyone, they offer a range of benefits for workers, employers and even guests.

The LeanTo Lounge Seating by OFS is a great example of an informal touchdown setup that can be used by individuals or small group of people. With comfortable seating, an upholstered high back, and worsurface tablet, its perfect for a private/semi-private work oasis.

Photo: Darran Honey Workspace

Touchdown Space Types

There are several different types of touchdown spaces that can provide employees with a flexible workspace. A popular one are touchdown meeting spaces equipped with audio-visual equipment, whiteboards, and other tools for effective collaboration. Another type are private working nooks or pods to accommodate individuals to concentrate and work alone. A lounge, breakroom or cafe booth can also be a touchdown space for relaxed and less concentrated tasks. And designated reception spaces can be perfect for on the go workers and guests as a touchdown space to catch up on work.

Touchdown Workspaces Allow Flexibility

A great benefit of office touchdown spaces is that they provide employees a more flexible way of working that encourages them to be more productive at work. Unfortunately, many employees today spend almost all their time at work glued to their workstation or desk. Traditional office setups typically foster this type of sedentary culture and doesn’t facilitate much inter-office collaboration or movement. Touchdown spaces provide supplemental work spaces to encourage workers to get up, move around and interact with their peers throughout the day.

Photo: OFS Tangent Modular Lounge

Tangent by OFS is a modular lounge seating that can be configured many different ways in reception or lounge areas. It’s equipped with power and charging capabilities, as well as table tops and layover tables, to comfortably accommodate workers or guests seeking a touchdown space.

A Touchdown Co-Working Space Promotes Community

An additional benefit of touchdown spaces is that they promote a sense of camaraderie among different groups within an office community. In traditional office setups, departments are often very much separated and very rarely do they interact . A touchdown co-working space can help break down divisions among departments by providing common spaces where everyone can go to and work. This would allow workers to get to know each other better, interact and share ideas. For remote workers who are not regularly at the office, this is especially important to reconnect with with the company and their office peers.

Co-working spaces can be informal meeting areas, breakrooms and lounges, and sometimes offer amenities like a staff kitchen, juice bar, library or printing facilities.

Photo: ERG International Beta Table

The ERG International Beta Table is perfect for a touchdown co-working space, and can be equipped with a television screen for group presentations when collaborating with fellow employees.

Happier and More Productive Employees

Touchdown spaces can also help to improve employee well-being and satisfaction. These days especially, more and more workers report being burnt out from the stress and demands of their routine tasks. A comfortable and inviting touchdown area apart from their designated desk or workstation can help. By providing employees with alternate areas to collaborate with others and/or concentrate on work, a change of scenery and pace is provided, as well as physical movement. This helps to discourage a sedentary work culture, which in turn, foster happier and healthier employees.

Individual Touchdown Space for Concentrated Work

For many open-plan workspaces where employees work alongside each other in benching workstations, sometimes a touchdown space is necessary for some peace and quiet. It can be set up away from the busy main floor for individuals to momentarily escape and work with less noise and distraction.

Photo: Arcadia Co-Op Lounge & Workspace

Arcadia’s Co-Op Lounge Seating is designed as private booth, and can be configured to accommodate a group of people, as well as a single worker. With comfortable upholstered seating, a generous worksurface table, and great privacy and acoustics, it’s ideal for setting up touchdown stations for employees that need quiet and concentration.

Overall Benefits of Touchdown Space

To recap, there are many benefits of a touchdown space. These include:

1. Increased Flexibility and Productivity

Happier employees are productive employees. When you offer workers flexibility by providing them with spaces that cater to their needs, they’re likely to be more energetic, focused and get their tasks done.

2. Improved Collaboration

Touchdown spaces that are designed to be collaborative and flexible allow employees to work together on projects and tasks. This can improve communication and collaboration between different teams and departments.

3. Reduced Stress and Fatigue

By giving employees the freedom to move around and access comfortable and flexible alternate workspaces, they’re less likely to be stressed and fatigued. Workers who are able to move throughout their day can reduce their overall discomfort and anxiety, which makes them more satisfied, happy and productive.

4. Better Work/Life Balance

Employers should recognize that employees are people too, and that have personal lives they sometimes have to tend to while at work. In a lot of cases, they need to step out and give attention to a family situation or other personal matter that may suddenly arise. By providing workers a touchdown space that allows them to go to during their breaks, they’re able to focus on the personal situation at hand, and afterwards can resume work less distracted and more engaged.

Photo: Darran Room Divider Screens

Touchdown Space Design and Touchdown Office Furniture

The touchdown space is an office trend that is gaining more and more popularity in modern offices. This is especially so after the pandemic. By providing a flexible and versatile touchdown space design, companies can improve productivity, collaboration, and work-life balance. However, it’s important to note that choosing the right touchdown furniture is key when designing these spaces. Consult with the team at 2010 Office Furniture to help with your space planning goals and office furniture needs. 2010 Office Furniture has over a half-century of combined experience working with globally recognized corporations, universities, and small businesses throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Read Also: The Benefits of Touchdown Spaces in Office Space Planning and Design
Main Photo: OFS LeanTo Lounge
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Arcadia, Darran, ERG International & OFS

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Design Your Office Like It’s a Neighborhood Destination

Every neighborhood has a unique look and atmosphere and so does your office environment. Single-family homes, apartments, local coffee shops, eateries, and parks make your neighborhood distinct from others. The same goes with the office, especially now. When comparing pre-covid / post-covid office design, we realize how important all the different components that make our “office neighborhoods” really are.

Your office should have a unique look and feel based on your company’s culture, branding, and the personalities of employees in their respective positions. Work environments should feel welcome and comfortable.

The neighborhood feel of a company’s office is going to be different than an employee’s home office.

Design your space for movement, mutual support, and the connections that won’t be made anywhere else.

Pre-COVID and Post-COVID Office Comparisons

Comparisons between pre-covid / post-covid office cultures are staggering. Telecommuting has been around for a couple of decades, but the shutdown radically popularized the concept of working remotely.

Photo: SitOnIt Seating Novo Chair

Pre-COVID, the City of Los Angeles had only 35 of about 50,000 employees working remotely, according to a write-up on the tech industry website dot.LA.

Suddenly, in March 2020 about 18,000 employees were allowed to work remotely. And in mid-2021, it was estimated that 60% of the city’s workforce could work a hybrid schedule.

Now that the shutdown is a fading memory, many companies expect employees to spend more time in the office and there’s less enthusiasm for hybrid schedules among big corporations.

By summer 2022, a CNN report noted that Goldman Sachs had all employees back in the office full-time while 90% of JP Morgan’s staff returned at least three days a week.

Give them a place where they’ll look forward to being in. A well-planned environment helps employees feel fully engaged.

The Perks

Many workers believe they were just as, if not more, productive at home when the pandemic hit as they were in the office. According to career research firm Zippia, about 2/3rds of Americans work remotely, at least part-time. And they like it because they cut down on commute times and feel productive.

But here’s where the office setting has an edge over a home office or other remote locations.

About half of those surveyed reported that they feel lonely at least once a week. Digging deeper, we find that 19% of work-from-home employees stated “Isolation” as their #1 problem, and 70% felt left out of their workplace.

Build a community feel in your office to engage your employees so they have a positive vibe when coming to the main office.

Turning Data into Office Planning Strategies

Businesses are successful when they meet needs in the marketplace. What if you treated your employees like they were the customers of your in-office brand?

Yes, they have to meet company goals, but if they’re satisfied with the support they receive in their immediate environment then they’ll feel engaged in their work. They’ll make it through daily challenges, and morale will remain positive.

That alone will give your firm a boost over the competition.

Developing an office that has a neighborhood vibe requires thorough planning for space allotment and functionality.

Workstations as Neighborhoods

The aim of the office isn’t just to get work accomplished, because that can be done remotely for many positions. But the purpose is to bring people together in support of company goals even if employees aren’t there 40 hours a week.

Organize workstations for an efficient flow of tasks and the sharing of mission-critical information. Bring one department together in one area, or create specific project areas if people from different departments and skills are needed.

Your neighborhood can change and adapt as projects start and finish.

The DeskMakers TeamWorx Open Plan Desking allows for numerous configurations so your team can give input on how their neighborhood is established.

Photo: DeskMakers TeamWorx Open Plan Desking

Gathering Spots as Neighborhoods

Just like the General Store is a symbol of where communities gather, your office can have important gathering spots. What better place to start than a conference setting, breakroom, or lounge area?

Photo: OFS Brands Riff Table

Elevate your conference room from the mundane to a place of inspiration. Select décor that puts the mind at ease. One way is to bring in nature by making green walls with the Nevins Bio Canvas Frame. These acoustic moss frames require no maintenance.

Equip your room with stylish and sleek tables that foster open collaboration and fit well within the space.

Photo: Stylex Verve Chairs

Add character to your meeting areas and equip them with the latest distance communication capabilities by using solutions like the OFS Obeya Architectural Structure.

Photo: OFS Brands Obeya Architectural Structure

Bring flair to your breakroom and lounge with furnishings that allow for either face-to-face chats or personal private moments in the same setting.

Consider the ERG International Laguna Lounge Seating which is perfect for a range of public settings and common areas like cafes and lobbies. It’s constructed for maximum enjoyment and reduces the need to constantly shift positions.

Photo: ERG International Laguna Lounge Seating

Outdoor Spaces as Neighborhoods

Your outdoor areas may be limited, but it’s crucial to make use of them. Natural light is vital for our well-being and even small patio areas can be reserved for work, periods of relaxation, or as meeting areas.

Set up a canopy, provide durable seating like the SitOnIt Seating InFlex Chair, and use a sturdy table made with steel and aluminum, like the classic-looking Allermuir Turo Table. These options make it easy to freshen up outside.

Photo: Allermuir Turo Table

Turn to 2010 Office Furniture

Wrestling with pre-covid / post-covid office design and ideas? The experts at 2010 Office Furniture can help, with more than a combined half-century of servicing and supplying clients who are among Southern California’s largest corporations, nonprofit organizations, and robust small businesses.

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

Read Also: Design Your Office Space as a Welcome Gathering Place
Main Photo: Trendway Vollo Wall
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Allermuir, DeskMakers, ERG International, OFS Brands, SitOnIt Seating and Stylex Seating

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