With more and more methods of working coming to the fore, it’s important to keep up with the fast pace of today’s modern office. Whether you’re endorsing working from home, hot-desking, sitting and standing desks, or something else entirely, we are no longer in the times of ‘sit at your desk, do your work, and go home’. Thank goodness for that!
Employers are coming up with more and more innovative ways to inspire staff towards higher productivity levels, because they know that the biggest investment they can make is in the health, well-being, and morale of their staff. This includes changes in office design, as well as how employees actually work.
You’re missing a beat if you don’t jump on this subject train!
One of the latest office design ideas is called a ‘third space’.
What is a Third Space?
The idea behind this is that in a workplace, you should have three distinct sections. These are the main office (first space), the meeting area, where formal discussions occur (second space), and you have the third space, the area where collaboration happens and ideas are born.
The third space is designed to be distinctly different from the rest of the office space, but still in keeping with the ethos of the company. A breakout space is a good example of a third space, because this is an area away from the main office, where staff can go to discuss ideas, brainstorm, and they don’t have to worry about disturbing anyone else in the process.
A third space is a place of creativity, and it is somewhere that isn’t pre-booked or designated; staff can simply go there when they have an idea to plan, discuss, or they want to dream up something creative. It is a place where employees can collaborate freely, without restriction.
Another potential use for this type of space is as a pit stop area. This means that when staff get an inevitable slump in concentration or focus (you know the times, usually mid-morning or midafternoon), then they can go to the space, get away from their office chairs, and energise themselves, either via a coffee, perhaps playing a quick game of darts or ping pong, basically something to boost their focus. We’re not suggesting you let them spend hours in there, but by having that space and staff knowing they can go there for 15 minutes or so, you will notice a huge boost in productivity throughout the office.
Designing a Third Space
If you’re considering implementing a third space in your organisation, you need to think carefully about overall design, as well as how you’re going to furnish it. For instance, comfort is key in this regard, but it’s also about giving staff what they need to collaborate effectively. An office sofa here and there is a good idea, because people can sit and discuss ideas, whilst also being comfortable. Cushions are a good choice; we’re talking about anything to give a relaxing yet creative feel.
It’s also important to make sure that your third space doesn’t deviate too much from the overall office design. So, if your office is white, think about having some white office furniture in your third space, to tie it in with your office and keep it work-related.
A few things you might consider installing in the space include whiteboards or smart boards, tables, ports for charging devices, tablets or laptops, as well as leisure items to give that idea of a ‘change of scenery’ spot, such as dart boards, pool tables, ping pong tables. Of course, don’t go too over the top, it is still work, but just something to break up the office feel and give a more laid-back atmosphere when someone enters that third space.
If you’re not sure about specific items of office furniture to use in your third space, check out the Calibre website for some fantastic ideas; it doesn’t matter where you are in the country, we have something, such as many office furniture Birmingham choices.
How do you feel about third spaces? Is it something you’ve used yourself, or maybe something you’ve implemented in your own organisation? What was the reaction? Having a separate space for collaboration, discussion, and creativity has been found to be extremely beneficial for many other businesses, but designing it correctly is vitally important. Be sure to do some research when browsing around for your office furniture pieces, in order to ensure you create the right feel and atmosphere at your workplace.