The New Office

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Motivation

1.2 Problem Statement

1.3 Research Question

1.4 Aim

1.5 Approach

2 NEW WAYS OF WORKING

2.1 The development of the new office

2.2 Old and new office cultures

2.3 The office as communication center

2.3.1 Informal communication

2.3.2 Formal communication

2.4 Design styles of offices

2.4.1 The Hive

2.4.2 The Den

2.4.3 The Cell

2.4.4 The Club

2.4.5 The combination office

2.5 Patterns of work

2.5.1 Desk Sharing

2.5.2 Tele Working

2.6 Furniture for new working styles

3 THE IMPACT OF OFFICE DESIGN

3.1 Psychological behavior effected by the office setting

3.2 Human response to stress

3.1 Matching the work setting to the individual

3.2 Ergonomics

4 MANAGING THE FACILITIES

4.1 Better occupancy of space

4.2 Office shape

5 CONCLUSION

Research Objectives and Themes

This work aims to explore the critical relationship between modern office design, employee satisfaction, and workplace productivity. It examines how traditional office structures, which often hinder employee motivation, can be transitioned into flexible environments that support new ways of working, such as desk sharing and teleworking, through effective Facility Management strategies.

• The evolution of office cultures and the shift from traditional to flexible work environments.
• The psychological impact of office design on human behavior, stress levels, and performance.
• The role of ergonomic standards in improving employee well-being and productivity.
• Strategies for Facility Management to optimize space occupancy and office shapes to foster better internal communication.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 INTRODUCTION: Discusses the motivation, problem statement, and research question, highlighting the need to rethink traditional office structures for better employee motivation.

2 NEW WAYS OF WORKING: Details the historical development of offices and introduces various design styles, working patterns, and furniture concepts that reflect modern, flexible requirements.

3 THE IMPACT OF OFFICE DESIGN: Analyzes the psychological effects of the office environment, including stress factors and the necessity of ergonomic adjustments to support individual needs.

4 MANAGING THE FACILITIES: Explores how Facility Management can optimize space efficiency and office shapes to adapt to changing organizational goals and work styles.

5 CONCLUSION: Summarizes the importance of continuous monitoring of office environments to ensure they successfully meet the evolving needs of both the organization and the individual.

Keywords

Facility Management, Office Design, Work Styles, Employee Productivity, Workplace Ergonomics, Desk Sharing, Tele Working, Office Culture, Space Optimization, Psychological Impact, Organizational Behavior, Communication, Flexibility, Employee Motivation, Office Layout

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this thesis?

This work focuses on the necessity of rethinking traditional office structures to align them with the needs of modern employees, thereby enhancing productivity and satisfaction.

What are the core themes addressed in this paper?

Key themes include the evolution of workplace design, the psychological effects of office environments, the importance of ergonomic standards, and the role of Facility Management in optimizing these spaces.

What is the main research question?

The research asks: "What are the new developments in office design and how can they be implemented?"

Which scientific methods are utilized?

The research is based on a comprehensive analysis of scientific literature, existing industry statistics, and employee surveys to evaluate workplace performance and design trends.

What does the main body cover?

The main body covers the development of new office cultures, design styles like the Hive or the Cell, ergonomic requirements, and strategies for managing facility space.

Which keywords characterize this work?

Significant keywords include Facility Management, Office Design, Desk Sharing, Tele Working, Ergonomics, and Organizational Behavior.

How does the author define the "Hive" office type?

The "Hive" is defined as a space characterized by individual routine work, low autonomy, low interaction, and highly efficient use of floor space.

Why is ergonomic design considered vital?

Ergonomics is vital because it minimizes operator fatigue and injury, which in turn leads to higher employee satisfaction and an excellent return on investment for the company.