We’ve said time and time again that the open office layout is not made for today’s modern worker. The same can be said for what many call the “modern-day” or “hip” office. These work hubs rely on hotdesking, open concepts, and add-ons like cafes, bars, or other common areas. But is this really what today’s employees want from an office?
While the concept seems interesting, the reality is that employees who have to work in these busy locations are having a hard time actually doing their work. What’s more, studies have shown that removing walls, doors, and other boundaries in the office may make workers ignore one another more rather than communicate better.
Instead of going all in on an office design, we recommend taking inspiration from some of its more practical and work centric benefits and adapting what works best for your employees.
Here are our recommendations.
Desk-sharing: Modern Day Office 1
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Hotdesking or desk sharing is common in these workplace settings. However, it can make things busy fast. Some might even see desk-sharing when the number of employees grows at a company. However, the office space does not grow with it. Sometimes, hotdesking is needed due to financial or space constraints. Interestingly enough, there are other ways to make your office space work more efficiently.
Employees don’t want to share their desks with coworkers, and sometimes they don’t even want to work at a normal desk set-up. A simple solution to this problem may be to use more collaborative working spaces or alternative seating for your modern office. This allows employees to work where they’re most comfortable.
The Open Plan: Modern Day Office 2
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These “hip” offices like to double down on the open concept. Most of these spaces have big gathering areas, high ceilings, and hardwood floors. While all of these might look eye-catching and modern, the noise level in spaces can become too much.
You can have the hardwood floors or the large ceilings at your modern office, but you need to remember to also incorporate sound-absorbing furniture and acoustic paneling to offset the increase in noise.
The “Third Place”: Modern Day Office 3
Many of these modern-day offices have cafes, bars, and even rec rooms for workers. While these amenities can boost team morale and add a bitof fun to the office. They can also provide a number of distractions and make the office feel very impersonal.
Having a “third place” at your office can recharge your office. If you can, make sure it’s only open to employees who work in the building and only after a certain time. These places should also have their own gathering areas where employees can meet. Especially without disturbing others who may be trying to get work done.
Whatever you decide to do with your modern office design, make sure your workers are being seen and heard. Many of these hip offices seem to favor employees structurally. However, both higher-ups and peers make employees feel abandoned and overlooked.
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