The future of office spaces is here, and it’s not virtual reality—it’s collaborative spaces. Employees are prioritizing open communication and an environment that reflects that. Innovative office spaces are built with areas to complement collaborative and independent work. As the need for community gains popularity, it’s equally important to consider your introverted staff as well. 

While collective workspaces provide certain advantages, solo workspaces do, too. According to a Gensler survey of 2023,  knowledge workers in 6 US cities with over 100 staff spend 48% of their time working alone. Employees need a balance, and a hybrid workspace accommodates every employee.

Collaboration Space is Key

Creating connections and collaborative efforts can boost a company’s productivity and well-being. Having designated spaces that encourage collaboration is likely to attract employees into the office and boost morale. Implementing several small-scale conference rooms for up to five people or social hubs allows employees to collaborate without getting in the way of those who prefer to work alone. This type of interior design plan fosters connection through togetherness while allowing for heads-down work as well.

Collaborative spaces are beneficial, but this doesn’t mean you should dismiss secluded workspaces either. We don’t all work well with the distraction of people around, and some people simply prefer to work by themselves. 

According to one of our client’s Workplace Productivity Analysis in 2023, 58.8% of employees spend eight or more hours on an average workday at their assigned desks. At their desks, workers spend 75% of the day working on individual tasks while just 25% of the day collaborating. Individual work is still highly important, so giving employees a choice is essential for productivity. People like balance and options, so you should still include privacy and sound masking areas in your office.

Reservable Office Spaces Cut Down on Noise

Hybrid work is on the rise, and every employee might not always need a desk in the office. Maximizing your space with community seating is a smart use of square footage, so employees can choose their seating based on their goals that day. However, unassigned seating can invite indecisiveness or a little confusion about who sits where.

Reservable office spaces save time and remove the obstacles of picking the perfect seat. In an open-concept office with no assigned seating, employees waste an average of 19 minutes deciding where to sit. Implementing reservable office spaces removes this issue entirely while still reaping the benefits of collaborative office space. This also gives employees autonomy on what environment they’d like to work in. Some people focus best with no people or distractions around. Noise is still the number one distraction in offices, so reservable office spaces allow employees to find solo seating, saving the tables and social hubs for those working together.

Gen Z is Entering the Workplace

Gen Z is graduating and starting their careers. Just as each generation varies, Gen Z is no different in that they have slightly different career values. Younger generations are favoring connection more than older generations. Collaborative spaces are a great way to accomplish that while giving the “Wow” factor.

Collaborative workspaces encourage coworking and can help lay a foundation for openness and allow for diverse perspectives. Connecting helps build a healthy work environment, employee retention, and well-being. Building a community strengthens communication skills and fosters creativity. These skills are necessary for a high-achieving organization. Open up your office plan to collaborative spaces designed the right way.

The Bottom Line? The Future of Workplaces Foster Connection and Community

Office spaces are changing as employees’ needs evolve, too. Incorporating collaborative spaces into your workplace can help your organization thrive, boosting productivity and well-being. At Relo, our team can help design an office that considers every team member’s collaborative and individual needs so that your space reflects your organization’s values and goals, setting you up for success. Reach out to us today for a consultation.