Office dynamics are popping up that have put the open floor plan in a world of debate. With the push for collaboration there has been resulting over-communication and over-all noise that has led to loss of privacy and angst between employees. So, how do we combat this while accounting for people in the office environments of the future? Over the next few weeks, we are going to discuss using tension fabric architecture solutions for modifying the open floor plan design, bringing choice and promoting focus for workers. To start, we will discuss integration.
Creating balance to achieve focus has been a challenge within many open floor plan designs. Since re-introducing private offices is out of the question, the next option is to create a perceived sense of privacy or psychological privacy. Psychological privacy is closely linked to physical barriers and is known to boost job performance. Creating these barriers is where integration comes in. In terms of fabric architecture, integration is the ability to apply components to pre-existing properties within the environment for enhancement while keeping continuity within the space.
Fabric architecture not only integrates, it conforms to the needs of the people within the space. Because each person differs in personality and necessity, there is the option to customize individual workspaces to meet the needs of each person. Options may be in the form of height variations of partitions, location of dividers and the amount of sound absorption. All of these options allow for the creation of semi-private enclaves that encompass the existing properties in the workspace, while giving people CHOICE. What does this do for the people within the space? It gives them a perceived sense of privacy and control of their setting. And, because the tension fabric components are customized, there is still continuity within the environment as a whole.
To read part 2 of this series, clickhere
To read part 3 of this series, clickhere
Allison has had a lifelong interest in multiple facets of design. Growing up between a sewing machine and a sketch pad, she went on to fine-tune her skills through studies in fine arts and fashion design. Upon entering the design/build industry, she continuously researches trends in various markets, including retail, hospitality, exhibitory/events, interiors and architecture in order to provide valuable educational and inspirational resources to clients.
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