Rethinking the school staffroom Part 3
PlaceShaping Project – tackling the why and what is happening in workplaces
If you are reading this blog, then you would already be aware of my PlaceShaping project and my research trip to London last month. I focused on workplaces that offered collaborative or co-working spaces, and found they are not all the same and the differences go beyond the physical facilities and access.
So far I have formed some initial thoughts on the future trends in collaborative adult spaces and which models might offer the most to the design of future teacher workspaces.
#1. Hot-desking in itself does not create collaboration – it supports a focus on individual tasks rather than co-working or collaboration. It could also generate a competitive view of resources and heighten territorial behaviours rather than breaking them down. It’s key value is in the financial savings made by increasing use of office resources and facilitates moves to downsize the amount of space used by workstations.
#2. Hot-desking is concerned primarily with access to location and things. Co-working has a focus on access to location and people.
#3. Characteristics of successful ABWs are:
*modern aesthetic and open, flexible space
*high speed, wireless connectivity
*latest technology (in office and away from office)
*trust, mutual understanding and equitable access to necessary resources
*focus on performance enhancement
Here is the link to an amazing office space – it shows key ABW features: Work Design Now – GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Philadelphia, PA http://vimeo.com/76671083

Well equipped dining areas that also host informal meetings and places to work are common to new styles of office design.

An alternative workspace in a corporate environment
#4. Characteristics of Co-working spaces – what you expect to find in the space:
*Wifi – high speed connectivity
*Food/coffee DIY area
*Variety of table sizes and shapes (fewer individual tables than shared tables)
*Informal aesthetic in furniture choice
*Hosted space (maintenance and fostering connections)
*Range of lighting (for practical and ambience)
*Trust, Responsibility, Personal “buy in”
*Easy to maintain and clear prompts for space etiquette
*Permanent desks and territory kept to minority (less than 20%)
*Programme of events to build connections and skills appropriate to business goals


informal workspace in a collaborative environment
#5. Styling in the non-corporate flexible workspaces is whimsical, eclectic and often reflects skills/interests of founding membership and ethos of businesses the space attracts. There is a focus on human-scale with inclusive and democratic approach to the dispersal of resources.
Things & trends I am noticing –
Creative, challenging, complex workspaces would thrive if there was …
- someone to curate the space
- someone to maintain the space
- someone to host the space
- strategic layouts with space for movement between people and activities and “zones”
- simplicity
- time to work and think
Good spaces – consensus in work design literature
- explicit objectives (what is the need for the specific design)
- enhance productivity
- reduce costs
- increase flexibility
- encourage interaction
- support cultural change
- stimulate creativity
- attract and retain staff
- express the brand
- reduce environmental impact
Creative Spaces for Creative Activity – a simple pattern (ref: Groves, 2010)
- spaces that stimulate
- spaces for reflection
- spaces for collaboration
- spaces to play
Other patterns to think about …
Studio – creative space where team or creative work is one show during the process
Living Room – relaxed meeting area
Shelters – semi-protected impromptu spaces
Library – quiet space for individual work (old rule of silence)
Town Hall – communal areas shared by all departments of organisation to be used formally and informally throughout the day