Architecture Moments™: Corporate Workstations
Aside from the critical selection of employees that boosts high-performance companies, the correct choice of work desks plays a crucial role in an organization's productivity.
Created by STORIES OF ERNE™ on February 20, 2023
Playing Hide and Seek in the Corporate World
Imagine this scenario. You've been hired as a crypto analyst in one exchange company. It's your first day at work, reporting to the office on a Monday morning. With friendly smiles, the receptionist introduces you to your new colleagues and as they return to their personal workspaces, you were also guided to your assigned cubicle.
Reception Lobby of a Corporate Office (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
High Wall Panels of Office Cubicles (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
All of a sudden, all the people you've been presented to disappeared without a trace! You couldn't see them because they were physically blocked by these high screens, panels, dividers, and divisions - visual obstacles, in other words. "Where has everyone gone?" You asked your seatmate. Does this common incident ring a bell?
Traditional Office Cubicle with High Dividers (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Traditional Office Cubicle with High Dividers (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
For many years, I used to spend my professional career tucked away in these types of workplaces where I seldom got the chance to interact with my workmates. Although some experts claim that these workstation designs allow employees to work harder and focus more on their jobs on hand with less distractions, the obvious lack of interaction, teamwork, and collaboration eventually hampered the company's objectives. However, everything completely changed the instant I joined an organization that knew the strong foundations to entrepreneurial success and were way ahead of its time.
Longing for Authentic Workplace Connection
Gone are the days when office workers were treated like machines, hiding and isolating themselves behind their desks. As humans, we absolutely crave for social bonding! We are innately wired to initiate as well as develop relationships. So, whether it's at home, at the shopping mall, or at work, we all desire to relate with others. Even introverts like me still possess this intense eagerness to break away from my comfortable cocoon and assertively engage with the rest of the world.
Office Space with Open Plan Layout (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
And what an enormous relief it was! Nowadays, with corporate offices shifting to more open-plan layouts with limited visual barriers, there was more breathing room for everyone. These spatial configurations allowed the unprecedented increase of more productive corporate environments. As a result, I performed better at work not only because I became inspired with reporting to the office, but also I increasingly became healthier, wiser, and proactive in my day-to-day dealings with co-workers.
With the installation of the workstation's eye-level partitions while seated and the intentional provisions of satellite social areas, whether employees were the CEO, those holding senior-level ranks, executive positions, or regular designations, daily tasks became more fun, enjoyable, and fruitful. Would you love to work in office spaces like these remarkable examples?
Office Cubicles with Low Partitions (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Moreover, networking, team-building, and interpersonal communications done offline and online have become more productive because of these open-type meeting spaces. Aren't these furniture settings gorgeous? Would you linger longer and enjoy creating, contributing, socializing, and collaborating in one of these interactive environments? I bet you would!
Interactive Meeting Space (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Interactive Meeting Space (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
The moment I saw these incredible contraptions, I couldn't wait to try them out immediately. As irresistible as they were, these collaborative workstations were definitely state-of-the-art innovations! Plus, depending on your comfort level, you could choose from various heights offering interesting options: lounge, standard, and counter. Which one would you prefer?
Interactive Meeting Space (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Interactive Meeting Space (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Without the need to travel to the actual locations, virtual meetings have become quite a norm in corporate habitats thanks to the technological advancements brought about by the Internet. At the end of the day, these new office configurations prevented unnecessary costs, thereby contributing to the overall well-being, performance, and productivity of people.
Experiencing the Great Value of Modular Furniture
What is modularity in the furniture industry? As some of you might not be familiar with this technical term, let's answer this question first. In a nutshell, modularity refers to the furniture component's ability to be easily disassembled and assembled to create desired designs, aesthetics, and configurations. If you own user-friendly furniture like Ikea, that's basically the idea.
Office Environment with Modular Furniture (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Office Environment with Modular Furniture (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Office Environment with Modular Furniture (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Through actual work-related business trips and direct experiences with furniture showrooms, I was truly fortunate to be exposed to the valuable features and benefits of modular office workstations. Here are some fundamental characteristics that they offer to users:
Interchangeability of various structural frameworks, components, and accessories
Flexibility of furniture materials and finishes due to multi-dimensional elements
Convenience and efficiency of electrical power cables and other IT tools provided by easy wire management systems
Comfortable sitting postures and healthy well-being courtesy of ergonomic work chairs
Accuracy of environmentally friendly furniture parts to easily adapt to tailor-made offices and existing corporate spaces
Cable Management Systems of Modular Furniture (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
On top of that, it's simply not necessary to be extremely serious while working as there several ways to be productive as a result of the advantageous flexibility of the different workstations.
Corporate Workstations with Modular Furniture (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Corporate Workstations with Modular Furniture (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Corporate Workstations with Modular Furniture (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Corporate Workstations with Modular Furniture (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
If your daily routines at the office have been repetitive and boring, why don't you relax a bit by having some entertainment while typing on your computer keyboard? Why not try walking on this treadmill? Because it has been scientifically proven that over-sitting is detrimental for our physical fitness, these radical work practices assist in prolonging our lives while at the office. Hmm, exercising and working? Doesn't that sound like hitting two birds with one stone?
Height-Adjustable Modular Furniture (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Height-Adjustable Modular Furniture with Treadmill (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
If this isn't your cup of tea, you can always shift to workstations having elevated work surfaces with high chairs and stools. These special desks inevitably target backpack executives, mobile workers, and other employees who are constantly on the go.
Modular Furniture as Counter-Height Desk (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Personally, because I travel a lot, these adaptable workspaces accommodate my busy lifestyle, further enhancing my digital requirements in a rapidly evolving world.
Performing Best with Socially Productive Work Desks
Do you know the secret to happiness? One scientific study has already discovered it! Without this vital ingredient ingrained in our everyday lives, it's merely impossible to be joyful, inspired, and be a better performer at work. What is it?
Socially Connected Corporate Workstations (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Socially Connected Corporate Workstations (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Socially Connected Corporate Workstations (Photo: © 2023 storiesoferne)
Healthy relationships! And one if not the most effective method of initiating, developing, and nurturing our genuine connections with others is by being more social in our personal activities as well as professional and work lives.
#Hive, are you currently employed in an office or other corporate environment? If so, what type of desk or workstation do you use? Does it contribute to your well-being, performance, and happiness?
IT IS IN THE ENJOYMENT OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT'S VALUABLE WEALTH OF HUMAN LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT ARCHITECTURE BECOMES TRULY SIGNIFICANT. storiesoferne
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Meet the Author
ERNE is an Architect, Environmentalist, and Adventurer. On the Hive Blockchain, he is the Creator of the Architecture+Design Community. If you are passionate about architecture, the natural environment, and global travel, feel free to connect with him. He will gladly welcome you into his world.
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