International design and architecture firm Perkins Eastman and furniture designer Three H recently announced the publication of the joint white paper “The Effect of Individualized Work Settings on Productivity and Well-Being.” This paper is the first in a planned three-part series of studies on the evolution of diverse office environments and how the contemporary activity-based workplace (ABW) can be uniquely tailored to support a range of employee personalities, tasks and work modes. And while the premise of ABWs is based on the practice of allowing workers to remain mobile and flexible within the workplace, this paper argues that up until now, little attention and scant resources have been paid toward looking at the importance of individualizing such environments.
In examining the various topics that relate to the physical workplace, the paper’s authors open with a historical overview of modern-day office design, followed by summaries of studies that examine emerging trends in workplace design (including organization case studies), and most importantly, take an in-depth investigative look at the complex and evolving relationship that exists between common personality types—including individual strengths and shortcomings—and the physical conditions of the workplace. Throughout this study, the authors’ findings are informed by the existing variety of ABW types, from open bar-height workstations and semi-partitioned areas with modular walls to more traditional enclosed spaces fitted with mobile and customizable furnishings.
According to the authors, “The importance of creating a work environment that satisfies an individual’s specifications and preferences has been well-documented; the activity-based work environment begins to address this need by offering a variety of settings suited to various tasks and working styles. Why not take this a step further by leveraging available data (i.e. employee preferences, working habits, activity patterns, and personality type) in order to provide an optimal work environment?” Further, in the white paper’s overview of ABW types, the authors offer, “Uncovering how people’s needs and potential success in an office differs based on their personality can arguably help overcome some of the current shortcomings in ABWs, and in office design in general.”
According to Gary Hierlihy, Three H’s VP of Sales and Marketing, based in Toronto, “The notions of personalization and customization are a perfect fit for us at a time when Three H is undertaking its two-year ‘Diversity’ program, in which we’re developing new approaches to office furniture design for evolving workplaces … The integration of the finding of this joint study represent a crucial component to how we design and shape workplace environments of the future.”
The white paper’s primary authors comprise Perkins Eastman Associates Rebecca Milne, Scott Fallick, and Katherine Gluckselig, based in New York, and Designer Danya Hakky, based in Washington, DC. The second phase of this joint Perkins Eastman-Three H study will examine a host of personality and intelligence types, using subjects in an office setting, and study how the physical environment may be shaped to support both the employee and organization as a whole.
The entire white paper is available for free download here.
Related Stories
Market Data | Apr 13, 2017
2016’s top 10 states for commercial development
Three new states creep into the top 10 while first and second place remain unchanged.
Office Buildings | Apr 10, 2017
Innovation lab makes developing eye care solutions a collaborative affair
The Shop East innovation lab presents 13,500 sf of workspace across two floors with an emphasis on collaboration.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2017
North Hollywood mixed-use development NoHo West begins construction
The development is expected to open in 2018.
High-rise Construction | Apr 4, 2017
Fifth tallest tower in the world opens in Seoul with the world’s highest glass-bottomed observation deck
Lotte World Tower’s glass-bottomed observation deck allows visitors to stand 1,640 feet above ground and look straight down.
Office Buildings | Apr 4, 2017
Amazon’s newest office building will be an ‘urban treehouse’
The building will provide 405,000 sf of office space in downtown Seattle.
Standards | Mar 29, 2017
Wellness movement is catching on with AEC firms
Hord Caplan Macht the latest to join the club by submitting its offices for certification under Fitwel’s program.
BIM and Information Technology | Mar 28, 2017
Digital tools accelerated the design and renovation of one contractor’s new office building
One shortcut: sending shop drawings created from laser scans directly to a wood panel fabricator.
Office Buildings | Mar 27, 2017
New York warehouse to become an office mixing industrial and modern aesthetics
The building is located in West Chelsea between the High Line and West Street.
Office Buildings | Mar 24, 2017
Brookfield expands its ‘office of the future’ brand to Houston
The developer engaged four design firms to come up with unique suites it will market under its DesignHive label.
Office Buildings | Mar 21, 2017
Fruit company’s HQ acts as an oasis among surrounding industrial processing yards
Graham Baba Architects designed the project around a central, landscaped courtyard.