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 11, 2012
McQuade appointed CEO of Tishman Construction
McQuade will focus on driving the growth of the company into new markets and expanding market share in its current areas of operation.
| Sep 11, 2012
Ecosystem Management & Associates joins HDR
EM&A staff will do business as part of HDR Engineering and HDR Environmental, Operations and Construction.
| Sep 10, 2012
Specialty door types—plenty of functional variety
In the MasterFormat section 08 30 00, Specialty Doors and Frames, a number of door types are listed for special functions, access locations, sliding and folding hardware, and even pressure-resistant types.
| Sep 7, 2012
7 Do's and Don'ts for PV roof rack installation
As PVs grow in popularity, nearly half of all installations require roof rack systems. Our expert tells how to do the job right and protect your client’s roof.
| Sep 7, 2012
Net-zero energy pioneers on the el-hi frontier
Getting to net-zero is not easy, but the promise of eliminating energy bills and using state-of-the-art technology as a learning lab can make a compelling case to reach for net-zero.
| Sep 7, 2012
Healthcare architects get a preview of tomorrow’s medical landscape
The topic on everyone’s mind was how the Affordable Care Act would impact healthcare design and construction––and whether the law would even make it past the coming election cycle.
| Sep 7, 2012
Goettsch Partners designs new tower in Abu Dhabi
Al Hilal Bank’s 24-story flagship development provides contemporary office space.
| Sep 7, 2012
Suffolk awarded One Channel Center project in Boston
Firm to manage $125 million, 525,000-sf office building project.
| Sep 7, 2012
Duffy joins Thornton Tomasetti
At Hardesty & Hanover, Duffy partnered with Thornton Tomasetti on a number of projects.
| Sep 7, 2012
Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital breaks ground on expansion
Sustainability and nature at the heart of the new addition at the Stanford University Medical Center designed by Perkins+Will.