Agility in Workspaces

// the future of work

Office footfall is increasing as people have been returning to their places of work. The transition back to the office accompanied by changing workspace expectations presents new opportunities when considering workspace design, giving us a real opportunity to future proof and address three key questions:

• How much workspace do we need
• What does the new workspace look like
• How do we maximise productivity from our workspace

Every business has its own unique set of working arrangements, there is no one size fits all model. Universally it is becoming clear that the three main reasons workers come into the office are for meetings, collaborative work and socialisation.

The agile workspace is supported by increasingly mobile technologies that allow employees to work in a space or place that best fits the task at hand. This can lead to greater satisfaction levels as employees feel empowered and valued. For a company, this can translate to improved productivity and improved employee retention levels. Agile workspace benefits include:

// productivity

often thrives in an agile office as people can choose the best place to work for the task at hand. Agile workspaces are more about performance and quality and less about where tasks are undertaken.

/ / maximises space

being able to move commercial furniture around to suit the end users needs maximises the functionality of the space available. Optimising the workspace for the end user maximises productivity.

/ / attracts talent

surveys show that workers are prioritising agile opportunities when looking for new roles. Businesses that compete effectivley for global and local talent effectivley accommodate these needs.

/ / facilitates better communication

agile spaces ensure teams have the correct tools to support group work – such as work booths, whiteboards and presentation screens. Designing dedicated work hubs allows collaborative teams to work alongside independent employees with minimal distractions.

Social spaces and flexibility have become increasingly important and were prioritised in a recently completed large project by Hassell Studios to support a structural business change with a post-covid demand for more adaptable and fluid workspaces.