(continued)

Even though management had to squeeze people into less space than originally anticipated, they preserved natural lighting and salvaged as many other employee-friendly features — cafe, common areas — as they could to protect the work atmosphere.

As a counter-example, another firm in a similar situation abandoned their original facility consolidation plan. In its place, function completely drove design, and amenities were essentially eliminated.

But because decisions were made late in the design process, relatively little was saved on construction costs. The larger cost was in the talented staff who left the firm because they couldn't cope with the less pleasant working conditions.

Flexible, Multipurpose Space

A potential solution to a reduction in office space is the incorporation of mixed-use space. Because employees may switch project teams on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis, work space needs to be flexible enough to accommodate constant changes.

The traditional office setup had private offices around the perimeter of the building with staff concentrated in the center. But as companies continue to grow and merge, this layout doesn't work well, particularly for communication between management and staff. When firm leaders are locked away in private offices, they're seldom seen or heard, often leaving employees feeling like their on their own.

Also seen now to be ineffective are large, single-purpose conference rooms that are seldom used by the number of people they were originally designed to accommodate. Today's margins simply aren't big enough to carry such wasted space.

Replacing them in new office plans are smaller areas more appropriate for teams and individuals, and for the type of work being done. In fact, there's less space for personal workstations, and in some cases, none at all.

"Teaming areas" — assigned exclusively to a particular work group — and "solution centers" — available to the entire corporation — are becoming increasingly critical to productivity.

Around-the-Clock Operations

Not only is space more precious than ever, but it's getting more use as well. The days of working 9 to 5 are over; an increasing number of businesses operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, due to longer work weeks and more flexible work schedules.

Not only do buildings have to accommodate more people and technology in less space, but the building environment must be maintained. Heating, cooling, and electricity, for example, must remain on for those working "nontraditional" shifts.

Progressive companies look to energy-saving building systems and equipment to defray the extra cost. And as the cost of energy reduces profits, considerably more attention is being paid to this aspect of planning and design.

Game Rooms in the Workplace?

Game rooms, indoor driving ranges, and climbing walls, which were once considered essential in attracting and retaining employees, may not be so common anymore, but it's difficult to take away what you've already given. Companies are trying to preserve what they can, and amenities are being maintained, at least to some degree.

While driving ranges may be vanishing, features still on the protected list include game rooms where staff can blow off steam, multipurpose "quiet rooms" where employees can take a nap or deal with a personal problem in a private setting, and even stress-reducing massage chairs.

Business leaders are working hard not to take everything away. They know that space consolidation can be difficult for staff to accept, and they don't want to hurt morale any more than they have to.

Corporate consolidation only complicates matters. There is an enormous amount of merger and acquisition activity going on right now, sometimes bringing together vastly different corporate cultures. Rather than try to integrate them, it is often more successful to choose, early on, which one will prevail.

As the business landscape changes, company owners and managers need to respect the delicate balancing act between work space, employee amenities, and the bottom line. Taking any of these elements out of the equation when planning for space needs can lead to a corporate-cultural disaster.

And the better this multidimensional relationship is managed, the greater the likelihood that economic storms can be weathered — in style.

Kristin R. Hill, AIA is principal of Design Management Corporation.

The lobby of Finard & Company, LLC, Burlington, Massachusetts, before renovation. Photo: Greg Premru The Finard & Company lobby after renovation, designed to help the building compete in today's marketplace with a clean, contemporary look. Photo: Greg Premru Before renovation, a corridor in the Granitar, Inc. building, Framingham, Massachusetts. Photo: Greg Premru Granitar after renovation, made fun through color and daylight. Photo: Greg Premru The Granitar color scheme was developed to align with their corporate identity and used throughout to create an energetic environment and promote a unified team. Photo: Greg Premru Before renovation, the MoldFlow building, in Wayland, Massachusetts. Photo: Greg Premru The MoldFlow building after renovation exhibits a dynamic yet productive workplace. Photo: Greg Premru   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.