OFFICE DESIGN INSPIRES EMPLOYEE INTERACTION
Even the CEO works from a cubicle in open-concept plan
Good design influences the way people interact within a space, which is exactly what Adam Hill was banking on.
When the CEO of LGM Financial Services Inc., recently moved his company’s head office in Vancouver, he wanted an open-plan concept, to encourage employees and management to move out of their comfort zones and to mingle.
“The opportunity of open concept came up with this move, and we looked into the merits and the pitfalls to try to avoid,” says Hill. “There was some trepidation and so forth, but I’ve got to tell you that since we’ve moved in there’s been very little noise in terms of folks being discontented, and if anything, because of the very thoughtful layout we embarked on, it’s actually enabled people to be even more effective, more collaborative, and I would dare say the cultural impact has been net-positive.”
This award-winning design dismantled barriers between management and staff by doing away with individual offices — almost entirely — including Hill himself, who now works from a cubicle.
“For myself, as CEO, that can sometimes come with a bit of an ominous stereotype for employees, and the more I can do to break down that perception, all the better,” he says. “I have found people willing to stop by and have a quick hello and conversation that otherwise wouldn’t have done if I was in my ‘ivory tower.’”
Many of the clever design elements in LGM’s new space are thanks to the Canadian design firm Dialog, who handled the interior design. Staircases in LGM’s bright corporate yellow connect all three floors of the 24,000 square foot space and are very visible, drawing people toward them and encouraging movement. Removing the coffee station from the middle floor, so people have to go up or down one floor for coffee, was designed for the same effect.
“Different departments are getting more connected and familiar and comfortable with each other,” says Hill. “You’ve got cross-functional teams spearheading a barbecue cook-up where everyone brings in something and they start intermingling in a break. Something like that is very transformational in terms of our own culture and what we used to be where people used to eat at their desk and keep plowing along.”
For those who require moments of privacy, Hill says, there are various meeting spaces that can be booked, along with novel outdoor picnic tables.
“We have two outstanding patio spaces in the space, so employees can literally book a table outside. It’s just a fantastic way for everyone to commune together when needed,” he says.
At ICFF Miami, this October, San Francisco’s Pablo Designs will be releasing a Corner Office designed specifically for open-plan workspaces.
The co-designers of Corner Office, Peter Stathis and Michael McCoy, wanted to broaden the perspective of what an open-plan working environment should be, by keeping spaces flexible and adaptable but also by bringing back the privacy that people covet when working in open-plan spaces.
The Corner Office is lightweight and portable and requires no tools to set up. It does away with “highsided cubicles” and provides “power, light and workplace privacy all in one easily set up unit,” McCoy says.
The system includes a “glarefree, fully dimmable LED corner task light” with power ports built in, fabric panels designed to cut noise, with optional pocket accessories for storing phones, tablets and anything else that aids keeping the desk surface clear.
“Corner Office comes to life in open-plan working spaces,” says Stathis. “The geometry is visually interesting but not overpowering, and complements the landscape and surrounding interiors. It provides an ergonomic upgrade to existing tables and desks.”