Following the recession, we have seen a number of companies downsizing their serviced office space and re-evaluating what exactly the business requirements are. And, it is not just small businesses who are downgrading their office space, we are seeing some of the world’s largest companies either, downsize, or re-design their office space in order to gain improved value.
It is not just the recession which has caused this changing attitude in regards to what is required from office space. The New York Times wrote, ‘as employees become more mobile and less tied to their desks, the average amount of space per employee nationwide, in all industries, has dropped to 250 square feet from 400 square feet in 1985.’
Peter Miscovich, Managing Director for corporate solutions at Jones Lang LaSalle said: ‘the office status symbol seems not to be as important. People are living for more flexibility in their lives.’ According to the real estate research firm Reis, in the U.S during the last three years, businesses have given up around 137. million sqft of office space.
The New York Times continued: ‘Many companies are redesigning the workplaces that remain, opening them up to make them flexible for multiple uses. Even tradition-bound firms in accounting and banking are embracing open-plan offices and other changes. They have shut sections of floors to save money on utilities, squeezed remaining employees closer together, torn down walls and downsized cubicles or gotten rid of them entirely.’
It is thought that smaller serviced offices create a more productive and creative environment. U.S Technology firm, Intel, have recently took heed of this assertation and altered the aesthetics of their office space. By repainting walls bright colours, installing flat screen televisions and pushing employees closer together into group spaces, they believe employees will work together in a more constructive manner.
Neil Tunmore, the director of corporate services at Intel said, ‘we realised that we were inefficient and not as collaborative as we would have liked.’
So, are open plan spaces the future for serviced offices.
