New Trend in Office Design Increases Productivity

“The hottest new technology in office design and furnishings is flexibility,” says office relocation expert Karen Warner. “Office furniture spending has increased by 18% over the past two years. More and more businesses are replacing the old stand-bys with updated alternatives to do more with less office space.” Warner, a commercial real estate broker and the author of Move Your Office: The #1 Source to Pulling Off Your Best Move Ever! has helped many companies rethink their office design and furniture strategies.

But cutting-edge office design goes beyond office furniture. For the new model to work, people and their tools can't be tied to the tyranny of tangled cords and mandatory proximity to electrical outlets. The key to portability is wireless technology, including a wireless network, laptop computers, and VOIP (Voice-Over Internet Protocol) telephone communications.

Panels—once the mainstay of the typical office workspace—have become optional in the new environment. Some companies use stationary panels to define work areas. Others use panels on casters that can be positioned for meetings or tasks that require concentration, and then pushed aside again when no longer needed. Panel heights range from 30” to 80,” depending the amount of privacy each work area needs. Thirty-inch partitions allow for convenient communication between desks and work well for interactive assignments like project management teams. Fifty-inch panels provide greater privacy for telephone calls, but still allow for conversation between workstations when people are standing. The tallest panels afford enough privacy for intensive tasks or even meetings.

The bottom line

“The bottom line, “says Warner, “is that the floor plan should support and facilitate the business plan.” If your plan calls for interaction between multi-functional teams and a high level of communication among employees, moving the furniture could be the best move your business makes.

For maximum durability and interchangeability, invest in high-quality components. Top-brand manufacturers are less likely to discontinue product lines, making it easier to add compatible modules and accessories as business needs change and grow.