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Technological advancements and current events have led us to rethink our work habits. As offices in Australia are reopening, we strive to go back with more engagement in our work. Fortunately, there are innovations in workstations that enable us to engage ourselves in what we do. Modern desks and ergonomic chairs from vendors offering high-quality products, like Elite Office Furniture, are what any office needs for a more conducive working environment.
The Importance of Physical Space
The physical environment is an important stimulus for work. In Edward Relph’s book “Place and Placelessness,” he noted that people’s physical space profoundly impacts their psychological functioning. It is more than just an address; a blend of setting, routines, and activities makes up space. And it becomes meaningful when it supports a group or an individual’s identity.
Psychologists from the University of Queensland found an interesting between space and productivity. They observed the performances of teams of employees in different workspaces. One workspace is designed with paraphernalia that embodies the team’s line of work. Another workspace looked like it is designed for an opposing team. And another not decorated at all. The results show that individuals who worked in identity-affirming spaces became more productive.
Think of it as a sports team winning more games at home than away. A personalised workspace that promotes identity also promotes better performance.
Workspaces in 2021
The present trend in organisational space management is gradually changing. Tight managerial control used to be prioritised over opportunity for self-expression. In an attempt to eliminate distractions, offices were designed blandly. Fortunately, in the past decade, office design has evolved from the 1999-movie Office Space’s greys to Google’s amusing slide in The Internship.
The secret to a more productive workspace lies in the preservation of individuality and collaboration. Hence it’s good to design for a more flexible space in terms of dimension and personalisation. Here’s how you can achieve it:
- Design Your Office For Interaction, Not Distraction
Open workspaces have been around for a while. The original concept of an open workspace introduced by Frank Lloyd Wright was to emphasise natural light and space between desks. However, some offices cram as many people into a space to be more cost-efficient. You can almost imagine the architect shaking his head. Perhaps it is time to return to the original concept. Especially nowadays, those health hazards associated with work-life require us to rethink about any office space.
Opt for desks with barriers or adjustable heights that can suit a range of activities. Trusted suppliers like Elite Office Furniture has a selection of workstations with screens that encourage collaboration and offer privacy at the same time.
- Add Some Colour
Design your workspace to embody the mission and vision of your organisation. A space that is designed meaningfully makes its occupants more productive. Colour is a great way to communicate a group’s identity. Regardless of your organisation’s nature, the colour becomes a subtle and more personal reminder to employees that they are part of a winning team.
Moreover, the colour around the office stimulates creativity. So paint some walls or choose colour-coded workstations. Maybe even let your members choose a colour for their team!
- Prioritise Comfort
Sitting at their desks for 8 hours can lead to work injuries and a decrease in workplace happiness. So consider furniture that encourages healthy working habits of your employees. For instance, ergonomic chairs help reduce back pain, and standing desks may lower blood sugar levels. When people feel that they are cared for and respected, they work more willingly for the organisation.
