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Social Spaces In A Changing Workplace
Experts often predict the future of the workplace, with many speculating on the changes that will be prompted by advancing technology and some even predicting an end to office environments all together.
In reality, however, while home working and flexible working may now be more popular – and more possible – than ever before, they are solutions that only suit some employers and some employees, some of the time. Face to face communication and effective collaboration are pivotal to the success of most businesses and, for that, people need to come together in an office environment. The question is, what will that environment look like in years to come?
It’s also worth remembering that, both as colleagues and as human beings, we are social creatures. Most of the reason for being in the office five days a week may be to get a job done and pay the mortgage but at least some of the reason that more than 10 million people in the UK work in an office is that the environment provides social interaction on a daily basis. And that social interaction is just as valuable to employers as it is to employees, lifting the mood and productivity of personnel, as well as giving them an opportunity to problem solve together, discuss tasks and develop as a team.
So rather than considering whether we need offices, most of the smart research and investment in office environments is being ploughed into enhancing that social interaction in the workplace; building on collaborative work spaces to make the whole environment more engaging and communal. There’s also an emphasis on making it more fun, working on the philosophy that an employee that likes their work environment and enjoys being there will be more productive.
While not every company is ready for slides and swings in the office or dedicated games zones, designing a workplace with social spaces that employees can use as informal work areas, meeting places, chill out areas and break out zones is fundamental to creating a forward-focused and people friendly office.
It’s for all those reasons that CDF has now launched a Social Spaces range, specifically designed to bring a more varied approach to social areas and informal workspaces within the contemporary office. Combining upholstered seating with bistro style tables, chairs and benches, the range has everything a modern office needs to create collaborative work spaces, break out areas and dining facilities.
Not all companies have formal canteens but all companies need to get people away from their desks, so bistro style furniture provides the ideal solution for both informal dining areas within an open plan office and dedicated cafeteria style facilities.
Meanwhile, upholstered seating helps to create relaxed working environments where people can go for some time away from their desk, meet and collaborate or bring their laptop with them to work away from the distractions of phones and colleagues. The modular solutions and fabrics available from CDF means we can offer a huge choice of colours and styles that can be used to bring the corporate palette into the office interior, create a cohesive look or even zone different areas.
The company can even offer a project management service using its in-house CAD design team to help customers space plan their office and manage the whole process from specification through to delivery and installation on site.
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