Innovate
The ability to adapt to a situation, which is in a constant state of flux, and to come up with new ideas for future-proof business models in all areas, has never been more crucial. In light of these challenges, boosting innovation should be the design focus of shared office space.
Innovations are produced when two or more pieces of information are pooled in a new way. In other words, when information from all sorts of disciplines is provided more often, it’s more likely to lead to an innovation.
Fostering interaction is vital for office design of the future. Where paths cross – as they do here in the reception area – Insit benches prompt people to take a seat and talk to each other. © Concept development and planning: 1zu33, Image: 1zu33 / Wilkhahn
Research on innovation shows that over 80% of innovations result from people interacting, often spontaneously, with each other. And psychologists tell us that human beings are wary of change and trust is required in order for them to embrace it. Engaging with other people in person is the only way of conveying a feeling of assurance, appreciation, support and belonging.
Therefore, designing offices as interactive spaces underpins successful innovation and change management. Employees that are stimulated and feel appreciated are happier and healthier.
Navigation throughout the workspace is devised so that people repeatedly bump into one another at particular points and the backdrops are so diverse that these encourage interaction again and again. The attractive furniture creates points of reference, trust and assurance.
© Concept development and planning: 1zu33, Image: 1zu33 / Wilkhahn
Ensuring that employees no longer just observe but are actively involved in change means providing an array of different spaces for them to collaborate in. And, above all, these areas require chairs and tables that they can reconfigure themselves as required.
People who rearrange the settings themselves help create a process from the word go and quite literally get to grips with it better. As a result, passive consumers become active agents of change who enjoy contributing their skills and potential. At the same time, concerns and obstacles standing in the way of change are effectively swept away.
The innovation space on the ground floor of the human-centered workplace comes with all the tools that are so helpful in the creative process.
- Confair Next supports teamwork with new collaboration-oriented tools in high-quality design. The mobile and flexible Confair Next range was specially developed for dynamic, self-organized teamwork in multifunctional communication and innovation spaces.
- The mobile Timetable lift tables offer cordless, electric height adjustment for meetings held standing up or sitting down. The magnetic table tops can be written on and serve as a joint work surface. Flipped up, they become presentation and projection screens and can be photographed in order to record any results obtained.
- Sitzbocks and Stand-up stools can be placed spontaneously in groups and foster a change of posture and therefore mental agility too.
- A range of different materials can be displayed on the perforated wall panels for creative methods such as design thinking.
- Displays fitted flush with the walls integrate the digital information space and translucent wall panels in ceiling tracks divide up the space into flexible zones with more privacy if people want to work in small groups.
Now more than ever, it’s vital to use the time to remember the advantages of collaborating together in one office space and make the appropriate concepts available. As more people will opt to work from home in future too, (particularly if they really need to concentrate) some of the workspaces in offices can be repurposed to encourage collaboration.