Work Place Environments

We recently discussed work environments in class. Tiffany and Haneen presented a well organized informative PowerPoint along with a fun tasty exercise.


HISTORY OF THE OFFICE

In the early 1800's there was no difference between office and home. The office was just a room in the house that was designated as a place where business was done. If the business grew more of the house was used as office space. As time went on an entire house could be dedicated to the running and maintenance of the business.

The Industrial Revolution changed the face of offices as they became more production based. This was due in part of the population growth and advances in food production and medical science.

With mass production the bullpen office system was developed. In the 1900's Taylor introduced his management principles based on the concept of a machine running a complex organization. His layout became known as the bullpen layout. This layout established a visual hierarchy where the supervisor could keep a close watch on the employees as they worked.

Over the years the evolution of office spaces reflected changes in attitudes about work. In the 1960's "office landscape" was introduced functional side-by-side undivided work stations for clerks to allow for chatter. In the late 60's Herman Miller created Action Office furniture system with low dividers and flexible work surfaces. This system later became known as the "cubicle". In the 1980's with middle management exploding, the sea of cubicles was born. 1994 brought the virtual office where employees did not have a personal desk. Productivity nose-dived and the concept was quickly aborted. Currently, networking systems have become very popular. They allow for a degree of privacy but not enough to guard against personal calls.


OFFICE ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Providing for human needs in the office environment is very important. Some criteria to consider when designing for offices are:

• Physical Needs- Need for territory and personalization
• Need for Privacy- Independent and free from distractions
• Community Needs- Do not feel isolated from co-workers

As designers we should keep these needs in mind when designing for office spaces. Office plans are not just about function.

LAYOUT

"Space planning in office environments is very important. It is concerned with the functional, effective, productive and flexible working areas that optimize the use of space within the constraints of the building and offices." There are several standard space planning scenarios.

• Conventional- traditional plan where there is distinct separation between departments and personnel hierarchy.
• Open Plan- provides flexibility but loses privacy
• Modified Plan- synthesis between the convectional open plans of office space planning

Image:

www.photographersdirect.com