When we built our corporate campus a few years back, we were thinking about how to create a better workplace for our folks.
Our goal was to create an environment to promote teamwork, break down cylinders and be fun. To accomplish this, I considered multiple designs:
–minimum walls and many open work areas, our customer CKP has found successful
–many workstations for management and support staff as well
–only one wall separating desks from each other, with the remaining space open to a common area
We ended up building the perfect space for us. Our offices do have walls, but there is glass across the front to keep them open. We placed our focus on common areas, like our huge work station where we all meet up to look at plans.
With all that research done our end, it was interesting to run across a recent Wall Street Journal article titled, “Designs to Make you Work Harder.“ How others approach the subject of workplace design?
Four design firms were challenged to create the ideal 15×15 ft mid-level executive’s office with no budget restraints. In the process, they learned a lot about workplace trends.
What’s in:
- glass–shows openness and lets people see the executive at work
- separate work zones–separates tasks and encourages collaboration
- integration of technology–wireless friendly
What’s out:
- status symbol executive desks
- “ego walls” filled with trophies/awards
- tons of storage space (paperless trends have eliminated the need)
Interestingly, these thoughts seem to fall right in line with green building and LEED guidelines–more light, openness and sustainability. I had to feel proud that even though our LEED certified place was concepted a few years back, it seems right on point with what’s happening today. What has worked for your team?
Building color (and add another 20% of energy savings)
As I’ve mentioned in previous entries, green building is a growing focus for Stewart Perry’s business. While our appreciation for the land works its way into every project we take on, our own corporate campus and our recent work constructing the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center have had green interests at the very heart of the project.
A small but growing portion of our business is what I would call “green building.” After the construction of our new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certified office building last year, we have been exploring several other projects in the Birmingham area as a way to diversify our business, encourage environmental sustainability and ultimately make ourselves more marketable. Many new government and public buildings are already built to LEED specifications and, with the current political atmosphere, I see public works on the rise in the coming years. The number of private LEED projects is growing as well, and the 
