Make your choice

Moving around a diversity of spaces to work, ranging in type, size and character.

Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose. Charles Eames - Designer and Architect

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Workplace Catalogue of Situations

In a workplace that offers a variety of spaces that support different ways of working, employees can tailor their work experiences to best fit their needs.

Being able to choose from a variety of spaces to suit a particular work situation improves productivity and comfort by encouraging movement and collaboration. Apart from the use and size of spaces, another factor contributing to the diversity of workspaces is character. It is formed by materials used, colours, proportions, type and temperature of lighting, furniture type, etc. Depending on the task to be carried out, some spaces must have a calm and introspective character, while others, can be live and invigorating.

The environment should be designed to be sensory inclusive, with neurodiversity in mind. The goal is to reduce the potential for sensory overload and offer a space for respite when needed.

Think of each one of these spaces in their entirety, having the interplay of all architectural elements in mind. Avoid a design solution that fits all. Design different functional spaces with changing ambiances following typological criteria to achieve a balanced mix. Do not follow an eclectic design approach. The Workplace Catalogue of Situations guideline was created to help in the development of meaningful workplace strategies that boost productivity and make a more efficient use of resources. The main objectives are: putting the customer first, incorporating different work patterns, adapting to changes on demand, and optimizing occupancy costs and space requirements.

SE1 Open Work Floor Area

Work desk
Workbench

SE2 Semi-Open Work Floor Area

Touchdown
Dinner Booth

SE3 Enclosed Work Floor Area

Focus Room
Phone Room

SE3 Local Support

Break & Pantry Area
Small Meeting Room
Large Meeting Room
Small Open Meeting
Large Open Meeting
Filing Space
Coats & Storage
Lockers
Print & Copy Area

SD1 Horizontal Circulation

Corridor

SD2 Central Support

Central Conference
Library / Quiet zone
Meditation Room
Games Area/Room

To achieve an efficient spatial organization that improves productivity and provides comfort to users, the diverse situations that take place are classified by work type. Each type of work is defined by the levels of interaction, concentration, and privacy that are required to perform a certain task.

Individual Work: for quiet individual general tasks
Focus Work: for individual high concentration tasks
Group Work: for formal prescheduled gatherings with colleagues
Creative Work: for impromptu co-creation and ideation with colleagues
Repetititve Work: for general day-to-day tasks
Down Time and Social Interaction: for relaxation or social gatherings

In the Open and Semi-Open Work Floor Area you will find:

Primary work setting consisting of ergonomic individual workstation and task chair. Located in the open work floor area, this is suitable for long term focus work.

Individual Work
Focus Work
Repetitive Work

Primary work setting consisting of ergonomic work surface and task chair. Located in the open work floor area, this space type supports individual work and ad hoc 1-to-1 collaboration.

Individual Work
Repetitive Work

An alternative work setting to the work desk and workbench. Suitable for short-term work in between meetings.

Individual Work
Focus Work
Group Work

Semi-enclosed and acoustic alternative work setting that supports short-term work in between meetings or 2-4 person ad hoc collaboration.

Creative Work
Group Work

In the Enclosed Work Floor Area you will find:

Enclosed room to support high concentration focus work or private work away from the open workspace.

Individual Work
Focus Work

Enclosed room for short phone or VC calls away from the open workspace.

Individual Work
Focus Work

Individual primary work space for individual and sometimes private work. With a flex-office layout, this space can also be used as a small meeting room for the team when available.

Individual Work
Focus Work
Group Work

Enclosed space with primary work desks for individual and sometimes private work.

Individual Work
Creative Work
Group Work

In the Local Support - Collaboration Area you will find:

Small informal or formal enclosed rooms that support a variety of meetings, collaboration, workshops or brainstorming sessions.

Creative Work
Group Work

Variety of large informal or formal enclosed rooms that support meetings, collaborations, workshops or brainstorming.

Creative Work
Group Work

Small informal or formal open spaces for meetings and ad hoc collaboration, for up to 4 people. These spaces can also support work away from the work desk.

Creative Work
Group Work
Individual Work

Variety of large informal open space for meetings and ad hoc collaboration, for larger groups (up to 8 people). These spaces can also provide alternative work spaces away from the work desk.

Creative Work
Group Work

In the Local Support - Regeneration Area you will find:

Shared support area away from the work zone, for regeneration, collaboration and socialisation. The space can also support work away from the work desk.

Creative Work
Group Work
Down time and social interaction

Small centralised tea and coffee area for quick breaks. This space can include a small collaboration/regeneration seating area for ad hoc gatherings and socialisations.

Creative Work
Down time and social interaction

In the Central Support Area you will find:

Open and welcoming branded space, located at main office entrance point with reception and seating area for visitors.

Down time and social interaction

Vibrant and inviting space at the heart of the office with centralised food and beverage amenities and variety of seating areas for socialisation and regeneration.

Creative Work
Group Work
Down time and social interaction

Dedicated quiet space for deep focus, with strict no talking/calls policy. Provides an alternative work space shared by all teams across the office.

Creative Work
Focus Work

Centrally located variety of small and large formal enclosed rooms that support meetings, collaboration and workshops.

Creative Work
Group Work
Down time and social interaction

In the Central Support - Wellness Area you will find:

Centralised support with high acoustics, space that enables team socialisation.

Down time and social interaction

Shared enclosed space with specialised equipment dedicated to physical exercise. Can be an enclosed multi-purpose room for exercise classes, without specialised equipment.

Down time and social interaction

Calming enclosed room that provides employees a space to recuperate, promoting individual wellness and supports requirements for new mothers.

Down time and social interaction

A calming enclosed room that encourages rejuvenation or supports religious practices and meditation. Flexible layout depending on local requirements.

Down time and social interaction

In the Local & Central Support Area you will find:

Dedicated storage to teams or individuals for project documentation or business materials.

Centralised storage dedicated for specialised functional requirements.

Repetitive Work

Dedicated personal storage for personal belongings and coats cupboard.

Repetitive Work

Dedicated individual lockers for teams/individuals who are sharing desks, though specific team requirements will apply.

Repetitive Work

Resource area with printers/copier and basic office supplies for the floor or shared between large neighbourhoods/teams.
Centrally located resource area with large printers/copiers and specialised office supplies, as well as mail resources shared by all teams.

Repetitive Work

Key take aways

Interpret the Workplace Strategy as a functional base for the workplace design.
Promote varied arrangements and alternative work settings.
Offer a diversity of spaces ranging in size and character. Avoid one solution that fits all.
Design different functional spaces with changing ambiances following typological criteria to achieve a balanced mix. Do not follow an eclectic design approach.