The power of space as a strategic asset.

The design of a workspace is often undervalued. However, the right space can make a considerable contribution to the success of a business. A workspace becomes a powerful management tool to attract new talents, maximize productivity and innovation, and to gain competitive advantage. It can be used as an asset to offset the largest expense of companies - salaries.

This is why Steelcase, thanks to its expertise and vision has come out with an innovative approach to workplace planning - called Inspiration Office. It is based on deep insights into the ways people work and communicate within their organization.

Steelcase workplace methodology

First, we take into consideration the 3 key factors for a successful workplace.

	Maximise Space performance Optimising square meters for enhanced performance and less cost.
	Boost people potential Empowering staff and increase their productivity with a highly functional and ergonomic work environment
	Use space as an emotional factor Using the space to express the company’s culture and contribute to the well-being and motivation of employees.

We then use a 5-step process to evaluate the workplace specific needs. We dive deep into work processes, employee habits and office flow to determine the best options for their unique needs.

1. Defining the strategic intent
The first step consists of defining the priorities of the new workplace taking into account the budget constraints. We analyze the existing network situation in the concerned company or service with interviews or questionnaires. This allows us to determine the specific needs and potentials of the space.

2. Determining the needs
Then, we determine the specific requirements of the client’s space in terms of layout, process, acoustics, privacy, mobility and more by using interviews and questionnaires to determine work processes, innovation potential, communication styles, work habits and occupancy patterns.

3. Drafting the space plan
Using the priorities determined in Steps 1&2, we generate concrete spatial solutions for maximizing the space.

Proposition of different layouts and product solutions.

4. Customising the space
We work with the client to refine the details of the new space using innovative planning and visualization techniques. We provide a personalised comfort to the user thanks to our broad range of finishes, materials and with our palette of work tools.

Products choice is finalised.

5. Execution and installation

Our certified dealers supply the clients with exactly what they need according to a clearly defined time schedule. We then evaluate the return on investment of the new space.

Our strategic solutions will meet the companies’ needs today, but also help their business anticipate future trends and maximise potential.

Global trends

Steelcase teams around the world continually evaluate people at work in order to anticipate changing needs and trends.

Facilitate human collaboration is one of today primary purpose of the workplace. We know from our studies that most new ideas come from working in pairs and that working in small groups is much more effective than working in large groups. This is the effect of a psychological phenomenon called laddering. The level of trust is significantly higher than while working in larger groups.

Enhancing mobility is a second one. Mobility will be more and more important within the next years, because of technology, traffic jams and the shift in how people work. The 9/5 mentality is disappearing. People do not only work in the office any more; 29% of business travellers work while on the move. Within the office as well, workers do not always work at their desk or have a personal workplace. They move either within the building or at external places to join colleagues or business partners.

The balance between work and life is getting more and more important. Up to 41% of European workers consider a good work/life balance as a professional success. Because of technological developments, people can work anytime and anywhere. This development will continue in the future, and will change the function of the office from a working environment to a meeting environment. This shift in function also means that companies might reconsider their need for square meters and the design of the office.

At Steelcase, we provide space solutions that answer these changing needs. We propose specific spaces for individual work and concentration, collaborative work between 2 people and small groups. We also take mobility and technology into consideration and offer innovative space solutions for informal interactions and work. A company needs to offer the highest variety of spaces so that employees can choose where they want to work depending on their needs. 

The future will link social and technological networks, and there will be more pressure to reduce space and lower the cost of facilities. Space will have to become increasingly more efficient and important by connecting people to information, tools, other people and the culture of the organisation. In order to remain competitive, companies will need focus more on their spaces.

PriceWaterhouseCooper Dublin

For the first time, 4 different generations are working in the same workspace. PwC’s 1,800 professional workforce is younger than ever: 62% of the workers are under age 30; another 24% are in their 30s; and just 14% are over 40. Such a multigenerational staff presented challenges, which PwC definitely wanted to address in the new headquarters they were about to open.

Steelcase team worked with PwC management to map out the organization’s goals. Then, interviews with partners and employees, group discussions, and planning workshops were carried out. PwC carefully defined the changes they wanted to make in the organization’s culture, workplace, and business practices.

Their main objectives were to plan a workplace that performs for all ages; to find the best way to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from older to younger workers, and to attract and keep talents of all ages. Their strategies for retaining a top flight workforce – flattening the organization, encouraging more collaboration, involving people in planning the workplace – were intertwined and interdependent.

The building and its planning was then a key success factor to reach these objectives. PwC proposed a wide variety of spaces so that everyone can find spaces that answer their work modes and needs. The open workspaces were planned with input from people at every level of the organization. They identified issues ranging from a need for flexible workspaces that supported different styles of working, to providing for the security of client information. They also shared their needs to have places for private meetings, phone calls, or just to get away and refocus.

Within the open plan some glass offices were also created so that people who needed to work in individual office were not removed from the team.

Tea and coffee areas are located centrally, so they’re places where people congregate. This breaks down the barriers between grades. The camaraderie, the team environment, the atmosphere are really enhanced.

Daylight floods the building’s 9 floors via a central atrium as contemporary furniture provides an open vista to the furthest workplace setting. People meet and talk in both formal and informal spaces throughout the building. The building’s many venues for formal and informal communication help people support PwC’s new, flatter organisational structure, and make mentoring easier.

Concerning interior design, PwC asked Spencer Dock to reinvent their workplace, as a catalyst to changing their culture, and ultimately to help them attract and hold on to the best talent. The firm expressed the PwC culture in an invigorating, colorful workplace.

PwC involved his workforce from the very beginning of the project to the end. Employees came up with ideas and suggestions, and worked with the architect on the design of the workplace settings. PwC conducted as well a major communications process. As a result, there was no issue; employees did not feel excluded from the project and were very satisfied with the new building and space planning.

“All of our people are proud of the building  and delighted to show others around. We’ve had a hugely positive response.“ says Marie Cullen, a senior partner at PwC.

Credits:
Workplace Environments
Mullally Leonard Partnership