6 best practices for designing a workspace that supports collaboration.
Are you a designer or architect interested in creating an efficient and collaborative workspace? If so, there are many important steps to ensure your success. From the layout of the room itself to establishing team communication protocols, having a thoughtful and well-structured space can help keep productivity high. Today we’ll walk through some of the best practices for creating a workspace that supports collaboration.
Designate areas for collaboration and creative thinking
Creating an effective workspace for collaboration and creative thinking can be challenging, but there are certain best practices that can be implemented to help make sure the environment supports both. Designating areas where teams can meet to brainstorm ideas and think creatively is an important step towards enhancing collaboration. This can be a designated space, or even just one corner of the workspace. By reserving these spaces specifically for collaborative work, you provide employees with the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations in a space that’s designed for this exact purpose. Additionally, providing flexible and moveable furniture and items such as whiteboards will create a stimulating environment that encourages productivity and promotes expression of creativity.
Provide comfortable seating and ample space to accommodate team members
Creating an environment that encourages and supports collaboration starts with the workplace analyse and then interpreting this into a functional design. Equipping the spaces with comfortable seating and ample room to comfortably spread out can help teams stay organised and bring their best work forward. People need room to move around in these kind of environments, so selecting chairs and furniture accordingly is essential for productive sessions. Consider investing in versatile pieces that allow for easy reconfiguration quickly and comfortably. Having the right furniture set up will encourage networking and communication between team members, leading to more productive collaborations.
Invest in technology (and acoustics) that support remote collaboration for remote teams
When we discuss collaboration in the workspace in today’s hybrid world, we cannot ignore remote workers. Investing in the right technology is vital for any remote team, as it can make all the difference when collaborating with others. Technology that encourages interaction and communication, such as video conferencing software and collaborative apps, allows teams to stay connected no matter where they are located. Along with technology implementation, the acoustic performance of the space needs to be cponsidered – how will sound travel be minimised? How will reverberation (echo) be controlled? It is essential that technology is designed in conjunction with good acoustic consideration so that an optimum environment is created that provides a great user experience.
Create a workspace that is conducive to brainstorming and idea generation
Brainstorming and idea generation is invariably incredibly valuable in the workplace, so it is important to ensure that the workspace is conducive to these activities. Designing a workspace that supports collaboration requires analysis of space usage, consideration of the companies desired outcomes, strategic planning and investing in the right elements. Factors such as ergonomic seating, having designated brainstorming spaces, and making sure visual noise and distractions are limited can all enhance creativity within the workspace.
Utilise different types of walls and whiteboards to encourage creativity
The strategic use of different types of walls and whiteboards is a must when it comes to creating collaborative environments – providing the staff with surfaces they can use to communicate and express themselves are vital aspects of a truly effective collaborative space. For example, writable magnetic walls allow for easily erasable brainstorming and other visually engaging exercises, while clear glass boards offer a clean background while still being customisable with colors or patterns. Combining these solutions with traditional whiteboards and wall-mounted corkboards filled with sticky notes is another way to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and issue-solving among team members. When approaching workspace design, it is important to note how different kinds of walls and their finish materials foster new ideas in otherwise stale atmospheres.
Create space flexibility with sliding pael systems
Reconfigurable spaces not only enhance collaboration significantly but also enable the end-users to create the space that suits the kind of collaboration in hand. Whether the space has to cater for 100 staff or whether its just 5, sliding panels enable zones within the collab space to be created ensuring space utilisation efficiency. Sliding panels in a variety of finishes also offer the user choice and control – select a panel with a magnetic whiteboard surface for writing and sticking up ideas or select a fabric panel for acoustic absorption and noise blocking, all the while utilising more panels to create the shape and size of space required.
In conclusion, creating a workspace that supports collaboration is an important part of any business. Facilitating the creation of such spaces will enable teams to feel comfortable and supported within their work environment, fostering better communication and increased productivity.
Contact Creatif to discuss how our moving walls and acoustic solutions work in collaborative environments.