Space principles - starters for ten…
OK I need to join in with Patrick’s recent blog post about potential principles for ‘office space’. As Patrick notes our department - IET - is moving into new accommodation later this year, which is essentially open plan in design. Not surprisingly there are very mixed views on this. But Patrick and I have been trying to think about how it would be possible to do something interesting and creative with this space, that reflects modern working practices and good use of technology. When I think about my own working pattern - my laptop is my central tool, I take it everywhere, it has all my work on, diary, to do lists, contacts, photos, music, etc etc… As I tend to do a lot of external work to the university working via a laptop is essential, but it also means oscillating between working at home and at work is possible. I am quite happy working in a variety of different spaces and places - home, office, train, hotel room, but at times (particularly when trying to write papers) value/need a very quiet space, preferably with my books and belongings around me.So to keep the ball rolling here are my principles to add to Patrick’s…
- A pleasant looking environment, with plenty of light and space
- A variety of different working areas - some individual, some group based, some desk style, some sofa based - so that people can move around and use these spaces in different ways at different times.
- Somehow balancing a flexible multi-functional use of space, with peoples’ need/desire to have some sense of ownership, personalisation.
- Balancing of total silence vs. chaotic noise, without having to resort to noise canceling head phones….
- Semi-shared break out spaces - where people can put their books, PhD thesis etc.
- A coherence across the open plan - creating a feeling of space and ‘randomness’ - ‘non-office’ like in feeling [up market hotel lobbies come to mind, but perhaps I’ve been going to too many conferences recently…]
Now that’s just some of my thoughts - but it would be interesting to see similar lists from others in the department - and it makes me think what does this mean collectively? How do we resolve very different views/personal preferences - as an extreme if some people want the equivalent of blocked off office cells in the open plan area this is exactly the opposite of having a very open, flexible shared space….
February 4th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
We have an open office, having been kicked out of our individual offices to more room. We have found that the open office is great for collaboration and ‘bonding’. But its a pain in the… when you to do serious work like marking. So we have taken to working at home when we want to do stuff that requires major concentration.
February 5th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Yes there is just no way to make open plan quiet and equivalent to an individual office I totally agree with you. We are concerned that this will mean that people will stay away alot more, at least if we can make the open area pleasant and inviting - a place that people want to come to, that should help… budget constraints permitting!!