Office spaces that provide focus, balance, and choice are the ones that will improve employee experience, enhance performance, and drive innovation, according to Gensler's 2013 U.S. Workplace Survey.
The survey of more than 2,000 knowledge workers across the U.S. shows that just 25% of U.S. workers feel they work in an optimal workplace environment. As a result, workplace effectiveness has declined since 2008, as measured by comparative data between Gensler’s 2013 and 2008 U.S. Workplace Surveys.
Gensler cited three main drivers of employee dissatisfaction with their work environment:
Workplace density continues to increase — From 2010 to 2012, the average SF/person dropped from 225 to 176. This number is predicted to drop to as low as 100 SF/person by 2017.
Most offices don't offer a balance of collaborative and individual work spaces — 77% of survey respondents prefer quiet when they need to focus; 69% are dissatisfied with noise levels at their primary workspace.
Most offices don't offer choice when it comes to when and where to work — Employers who offer the choice of when and where to work have employees who are 12% more satisfied with their jobs and report higher effectiveness scores across all four work modes.
Three-step solution for office design
1. Provide effective focus space. "Enabling employees to perform their jobs effectively begins with supporting the individual, focused work that represents the core of their days and a critical aspect of employee and team performance," states the report. Workspaces should have a satisfactory noise level, be highly functional, and offer an attractive look and feel.
2. Collaborate without sacrificing focus. "Layering in alternative spaces and opportunities that support all work modes, from collaboration to learning and socializing, enables the connections that drive success in today’s knowledge economy," said the Gensler report. The availability of alternative meeting, circulation, and support spaces, as well as in-office amenities (eating areas, break rooms), are key to creating "balanced" work environments, or those prioritizing both focus and collaboration.
3. Drive innovation through choice. Employers should offer anywhere (and anytime) working by providing a variety of spaces and the tools that allows employees to work remotely. Companies must pair the right tools and spaces with organizational policies that empower workers to best match space, tools, and tasks to achieve optimal productivity.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2022
Report examines supposed conflict between good design and effective cost management
A report by the American Institute of Architects and the Associated General Contractors of America takes a look at the supposed conflict between good design and effective cost management, and why it causes friction between architects and contractors.
Architects | Aug 11, 2022
Mancini Duffy Bill Mandara on expanding through diversification
In this segment for HorizonTV, BD+C's John Caulfield interviews Mancini Duffy's CEO and Co-owner William Mandara about his firm's recent growth, which includes an acquisition and new HQs office.
Energy Efficiency | Aug 11, 2022
Commercial Energy Efficiency: Finally “In-the-Money!”
By now, many business leaders are out in front of policymakers on prioritizing the energy transition.
High-rise Construction | Aug 11, 2022
Saudi Arabia unveils plans for a one-building city stretching over 100 miles long
Saudi Arabia recently announced plans for an ambitious urban project called The Line—a one-building city in the desert that will stretch 170 kilometers (106 miles) long and only 200 meters (656 feet) wide.
| Aug 10, 2022
U.S. needs more than four million new apartments by 2035
Roughly 4.3 million new apartments will be necessary by 2035 to meet rising demand, according to research from the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and National Apartment Association.
| Aug 10, 2022
Gresham Smith Founder, Batey M. Gresham Jr., passes at Age 88
It is with deep sadness that Gresham Smith announces the passing of Batey M. Gresham Jr., AIA—one of the firm’s founders.
| Aug 9, 2022
Work-from-home trend could result in $500 billion of lost value in office real estate
Researchers find major changes in lease revenues, office occupancy, lease renewal rates.
| Aug 9, 2022
5 Lean principles of design-build
Simply put, lean is the practice of creating more value with fewer resources.
| Aug 9, 2022
Designing healthy learning environments
Studies confirm healthy environments can improve learning outcomes and student success.
Legislation | Aug 8, 2022
Inflation Reduction Act includes over $5 billion for low carbon procurement
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, recently passed by the U.S. Senate, sets aside over $5 billion for low carbon procurement in the built environment.
