by Brianna Crandall — April 16, 2014—Following the recent trend of open office spaces with a mixture of collaborative and private working areas, employees are now looking for more flexibility in their workstations. A recent survey conducted by Work Design Magazine and CORT, a leading provider of transition services and furnishing solutions, identified elements they want to see in their office space including more choices for workstations and updated office furnishings and accessories that promote collaboration.
According to the survey results:
- Respondents named collaboration and diversity as the most important factors for office space design.
- 65 percent of respondents would describe their current work space as collaborative or an open concept.
- 42 percent of respondents are looking for more diversity in the type of workstations they have access to.
- Respondents most often categorized their office by outdated furnishings and design.
- Fewer than 10 percent of employees at most offices telecommute, meaning space is at a premium in offices.
CORT’s survey showed a desire for both “me” space and “we” space, and for such features as natural light and windows; workstations that accommodate their technology; and easy access to pin-up space, whiteboards and other tools of collaboration.
(Click on image to enlarge to full fact sheet)
CORT’s survey showed a desire for both “me” space and “we” space, with a majority (63%) selecting “More collaborative space” as their top request in an office redesign. Respondents also asked for such features as natural light and windows; workstations that accommodate their technology; and easy access to pin-up space, whiteboards and other tools of collaboration.
“One type of workstation is often not the best solution, especially when your company has a large employee base,” said Ann Sennewald, vice president of merchandising at CORT. “Adding a variety of workstations, from pods to collaborative tables to private meeting rooms, not only provides employees with more options for different work styles but also adds a touch of privacy, creating the perfect balance between collaborative and quiet space.”
To support the trend towards open and collaborative office spaces, CORT offers a variety of workplace collections, including its most recent STAKs collection. This collection offers diverse workplace configurations that promote collaboration, flexibility and mobility. Flexibility is a key component of STAKs, making it a solution for a wide range of configurations and varying levels of collaboration. From gathering tables that foster collaboration to executive offices, STAKs can be an ideal solution for all corners of the workplace.
CORT will host an exhibit April 15-17 at booth #217 at the International Facility Management Association’s (IFMA) Facility Fusion conference in Washington, DC, where the company will showcase its newest products and best practices for optimizing workplace design and functionality. The IFMA Facility Fusion Conference is a three-day conference and expo tailored to addressing the educational and networking needs of FM professionals.
CORT, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, is a leading provider of transition services, including furniture rental for home and office, event furnishings, destination services, apartment locating, touring and other services. With more than 100 offices, showrooms and clearance centers across the United States, operations in the United Kingdom, and partners in more than 70 countries, CORT provides a breadth of services and a companywide commitment to providing excellent customer service.
