In his book The Rise of the Creative Class, urban economist Richard Florida emphasizes that people are the fundamental source of creativity and that creativity is the driving force for economic development. At a time when the global economy is being crippled by the epidemic, creative talents are particularly important. In contrast to a completely open office space, smaller private spaces will instead become the source of creativity.
How to have unlimited creativity in the office? Here are some office design tips for you.
Keep noise at bay
Which kind of space could actually inspire workers? The answer is quiet and private spaces in an open-plan office.
A variety of sound-absorbing materials to block out noise
Adding partition walls to an office may reduce noise pollution, but it compromises the openness of the office and endangers agile working. For this reason, materials with noise absorbing properties should be applied in office design.
Unlike outdoors, indoor sounds will be reflected by ceilings, floors, and walls, creating a complex indoor sound field. You can break this annoying sound field by taking the following measures:
- Use wooden office furniture because its porous nature helps to absorb noise.
- Use soft materials like felt for furniture surfaces.
Use silent pods to create private spaces
The study, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, found that people working in an environment of 70 decibels (close to the background noise of a coffee shop) performed most prominently. However, why do so many people find it noisy and distracting when open offices are just as noisy as coffee shops? It turns out that the problem is not the noise itself, but the people who make it. We are constantly drawn into the conversations of those around us or interrupted when we are trying to concentrate.
The ideal focused workspace is, therefore, not completely free of noise, but one where people are not interrupted. For companies, there is a need to create a relaxing space that is as comfortable as a café, where employees can find somewhere to work alone when they need to stay focused.
Openplan offices can be equipped with more mobile silent pods. These cubicles meet the needs of employees for remote meetings and temporary conference calls, allowing them to chat with clients inside, while also helping employees outside to work quietly without the hassle of "noise walls". Furthermore, the flexible and mobile design can be adapted to suit changing office patterns and quickly combined to create the ideal office space.
Use multiple channels to create 'free' offices
l Work in any way
Creative people who think outside the box love the freedom of the "free office". "Freedom" is a source of creativity. Sitting,standing, or having your feet off the floor ... A casual mindset leads to more creative ideas.
l Communicate at any time
Communication lays a foundation for creative ideas, and a flash of inspiration comes from an always available brainstormig space.
Creative talents have always been the type of talents that companies find hard to retain, and they are more interested in"self expression", “work autonomy and flexibility” than remuneration. To a certain extent, providing the creativity department with a freer and more personalized office can help companies to improve efficiency and promote innovation.
