The first question many have is: what is flex space? A flex office space is a space that can meet the ever-changing needs of the hybrid workforce. With furniture made fully mobile, these spaces can shift from day to day or even hour to hour. Flex offices generally require little effort while offering space-saving solutions that help employees make the most of the space.
A flex office responds to the different needs of a changing hybrid workplace. Many flexible spaces contain spaces for mixed use. These spaces can be used for collaboration, break rooms or a workspace for a day. Because these spaces are versatile, they have resources and amenities to accommodate a group of people. Some people need privacy and tranquility, while others need large, open collaborative spaces. How do the resources in a flex office meet everyone’s needs on an ever-changing basis?
What employees need
For some, a flex room can be used as a personal space for a few months. Companies can use a flex office to provide temporary employees with a workplace or to accommodate visitors from outside the city. Regardless of the situation, anyone who uses a flex space can meet his or her needs. Because a flex space can accommodate employees by responding to their needs, it must be able to move and shift easily. And while privacy and focus, and creative and collaborative work can’t seem to co-exist, these spaces can easily be created within a hybrid office design. These problems can be addressed with the use of specialized furniture, partitions and modular cabins that can be easily added or subtracted from a room. A good flex space helps employees get the most out of the space they use.
The hybrid worker
Flex desks in the office appeal to hybrid employees. We’ve seen a shift in how and when employees work in and out of the office. Employees may have some resources that they need offsite, but they still need space to meet and collaborate. This makes flex office space an ideal option.
With the increase in the hybrid workforce, we see fewer and fewer employees in the office. This requires less space. With these changes, functionality is essential. Storage, furniture and privacy solutions are important elements in a flex office. Less time is spent in individual offices throughout the week. Adding hot desking plans can eliminate some of the desks needed to make room for more creative and flexible workspaces.
Partities in Flex Office Space
In a traditional open-plan office with no partitions, there’s almost nothing stopping you from looking the other way. This type of office is usually filled with cubicles or desks for each employee. And while this setup works in some situations, where employees all do the same type of work with the same needs. The emergence of hybrid working creates a completely different priority list for employees.
There is no doubt that the rise of hybrid working is changing the office.
A flex office space divides these large spaces. There are several types of room dividers used in flex spaces, but almost all of them serve a dual purpose. The partition walls are mobile or modular. This means they can expand the space for larger groups or be arranged to create smaller, more focused areas. The ease with which a room divider can be rolled out of the way saves time and space when changing the way an area is used.
The partition walls in flex office spaces can be designed for more than one purpose. Some room dividers have dry-wipe panels to provide an additional work surface. Some partitions are used as storage solutions. Others have built-in planters to add a touch of nature to your office. One of the most economical types of partitions are sound-absorbing or sound-absorbing panels. This is a panel that helps block and absorb sound traveling through an open space. These specially designed partition walls help maintain worker privacy and reduce noise disturbance.
Modular furniture
In a space that needs to be easily rearranged to accommodate needs and different group sizes, the furniture should be easy to move around. Modular furniture such as cubicles can be expanded to provide ample desk space. This is ideal for office spaces that need both privacy and collaboration space. Whether modular desk solutions, seating furniture or partitions, the furniture must meet the needs of different professionals.
A flex office responds to the different needs of a changing hybrid workplace.
One furniture solution may work for some professionals, but not for others. That is why versatile solutions are important. Collapsible and easy to store furniture and partitions take up minimal space when not in use. They are also easily accessible as employee needs change.
The modular furniture that can be found in flex offices is functional. There is minimal wastage of space, allowing a space to accommodate more people at once. The functionality of these types of spaces is one of the things that are so appealing about them. The possibilities are endless when the right pieces are integrated into your office design.
Creating a flexible space
There is no doubt that the rise of hybrid working is changing the office. The number of people in the office can vary greatly from day to day. When given a choice, most employees will prefer to work two days in the office. And with most companies offering hybrid schedule at will, it is clear to see that the office changes daily.
The possibilities are endless when the right pieces are integrated into your office design.
A clear result is that the number of employees in the office is decreasing every day. And that when these employees come in, it is mainly to work together with their teammates. Creating a flex space, or multiple different spaces in your office, can support this increasing need for collaboration. Businesses can use their space the way they need it, when they need it. This allows employees to always find (or create!) the right space for the tasks at hand.
Multifunctional office furniture offers functionality not found in traditional furniture. A space can be transformed from a collaborative space for multiple employees to a confined space for one person. All by rolling an extra partition into space. Traditional office furnishings do not offer this convenience. Meeting rooms, large open workspaces and individual offices are becoming a thing of the past. The flex office space is here to stay.
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