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
| Sep 2, 2014
Extreme conversion: 17-story industrial silo to be converted to high-rise housing
As part of Copenhagen's effort to turn an industrial seaport into a bustling neighborhood, Danish architecture firm COBE was invited to convert a grain silo into a residential tower.
Sponsored | | Sep 2, 2014
Judson University’s Harm A. Weber Academic Center resembles copper, but its sustainability efforts are pure gold
The building’s custom-fabricated wall panels look like copper, but are actually flat metal sheets coated with Valspar’s signature Fluropon Copper Penny coating.
| Sep 2, 2014
Melbourne's tallest residential tower will have 'optically transformative façade'
Plans for Melbourne's tallest residential tower have been released by Elenberg Fraser Architects. Using an optically transformative façade and botanical aesthetic, the project seeks to change the landscape of Australia's Victoria state.
| Sep 1, 2014
Ranked: Top federal government sector AEC firms [2014 Giants 300 Report]
Clark Group, Fluor, and HOK top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest federal government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2014 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 29, 2014
The new College Football Hall of Fame opens in Atlanta
Adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center and Centennial Olympic Park, the three-story, 94,250-sf attraction is designed to celebrate the traditions of college football.
| Aug 29, 2014
Phifer and Partners to design 'transparent' Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw
The design includes a stage that opens onto the city's Parade Square, so anyone passing by will be able to see performances.
| Aug 29, 2014
China Syndrome: How long will U.S. firms keep milking the Middle Kingdom?
U.S. architecture and engineering firms like Goettsch Partners have been enjoying full employment in China. But will there come a point when Chinese officials—and Chinese designers—say, We can handle this? BD+C's Robert Cassidy digs into this issue.
| Aug 28, 2014
Arthur Platt and Julie Engh to lead AIANY architectural boat tour at BD+C Under40 Leadership Summit
The tour, which will circumnavigate Manhattan, will provide U40 Summit attendees with information about the history and architectural details of numerous buildings visible from the 1920s-era yacht.
| Aug 28, 2014
USGBC, American Chemistry Council join forces to advance LEED
The groups will apply technical and science-based approaches to the LEED green building program.
| Aug 27, 2014
Turkish government orders demolition of residential towers in Istanbul
Citing negative effects to a world heritage site, the Turkish central government has ruled that the recently completed OnaltiDokuz Residence towers must be demolished.