By Nai Kanell Director of Marketing SpaceIQ
Few aspects of work are individual endeavors. It takes a team to bring an idea to fruition and the efforts of many to achieve success. It’s no surprise then that modern workplace design skews toward collaboration. But what is a collaborative workspace, really? What defines it and makes it conducive to individual and team efforts?
Collaborative workspace design isn’t just about recognizing the needs of many, but fitting them together in an environment where every individual supports a larger goal.
Fostering cooperative, collaborative work
The objective of a collaborative workspace is to bring team members together in pursuit of a common goal. Even if individuals play different roles, the workspace they share should accommodate their contributions.
Cooperation is at the root of collaboration. Employees who cooperate can work together, regardless of the objective or obstacles. This concept is at the root of every corporate team-building exercise, and it needs to be central in collaborative workspace design. How can you create an environment that naturally brings people together and fosters a cooperative group dynamic? Answer this question and you’ve found the motivation behind creating a collaborative workspace.
The pillars of collaborative workspaces
A collaborative working space isn’t a group of individual workspaces clumped together. It’s a new design that’s rooted in cooperation. Pushing individual desks together only means bringing individual workspaces closer in proximity. To be truly collaborative, a workspace needs the proper foundation. Specifically, it needs:
Physical space: The simplest way to foster collaboration is to provide ample space for employees to work. Cramming too many people in a space that’s too small is a recipe for friction. Give them enough room to spread out while still in proximity to the team.
Technological resources: Cooperative work stalls without the right tools. Cloud software and collaborative platforms, such as Slack and Zoom, keep teams engaged and allow every member to contribute in their own capacity.
Comfort: From lighting to acoustics, furniture to floor plan, collaborative spaces should be synonymous with comfort. Being able to work in comfort within an environment that’s constantly abuzz is crucial for productivity.
Optionality: Many people sharing a single space demands variety. An array of furniture, seating arrangements, and resources cater to the many personalities you’re bringing together.
Bear in mind, the goal of a collaborative workspace isn’t assimilation. It’s about bringing individuals together to contribute, which means cultivating a space that fosters individuality within a group dynamic. Accommodating every individual helps foster the strongest group dynamic.
Comments