The Other Office 2

A global overview of prevailing trends in office design. The book delves into how these companies promote productivity through connectivity thanks to the design of their workspaces.
The approaches of design studios to orchestrate spatial experiences in the creation of workplace environments vary greatly. A bright and playful interior that might be perfect for one company will not be the answer for another client’s needs. Though one thing seems clear: whether it’s for a tech firm, a financial consultancy or a production company, the requirement to provide spaces that promote productivity through connectivity is high on the agenda. The physical environments are not only spaces for working, they are very much tools of the organisations and form part of their overall identity. These firms often work in conjunction with the design studios to ensure the realised offices fit the needs of the workforce, embodying creative values in the process.

In The Other Office 2, a recurring theme in the 80 cutting-edge projects is the centralisation of communication hubs, with more focused working spaces placed at the periphery. Another high priority is ensuring staff are catered for in terms of health and social aspects – in particular emphasising the need for physical activity, thus providing bikes and scooters to get around the building, or adding a competitive edge to the feature staircase by including sensors to track the distance climbed per week of employees. The showcased interiors not only support innovation and creativity in the workforce, they also generate opportunities for collaboration and, at the same time, help to connect and build communities.