IDC Architects

Challenge

For its new three-building corporate campus, this global engineering, procurement, construction, and operations firm required a work office environment that fostered collaboration between corporate and regional employees, facilitated transition from a 30/70 open/closed work environment to a 70/30 open/closed environment, and increased employee productivity.

Investigation

Approaching the challenge from a holistic point of view, we investigated a broad range of issues. We examined solutions regarding work space cubicles and office functionality, meeting and collaborative space characteristics, and work patterns. We explored common space interaction such as copy/coffee/break/mail support functions and cafeteria seating configurations. We looked at wireless networking technology and ways to facilitate the 3-acre courtyard for employee business use.

Solution

Our design solutions included developing a single, standard open office cubicle footprint with three different interior functional arrangements. Employees selected the type of workstation that best met their needs and work styles. Similarly, we designed a single size for the closed offices and provided two functional options for occupants.

We met needs for employee interaction space by crafting six different configurations, ranging from traditional closed conference rooms to informal lounge seating interspersed throughout the work environment. Support functions, including the areas for photocopying, coffee service, break rooms, and mail rooms, were grouped together and centralized to encourage informal communication. Solutions for the cafeteria included five different seating configurations, ranging from individual tables to six-person booths enabled with power and data connections. To accommodate informal lunch meetings, other areas were partially segregated with moveable wood space dividers.

We incorporated campus-wide wireless networking technology, also available in the exterior courtyard, where employees can work individually or conduct meetings while enjoying the many sunny days in Colorado. The result: Employee satisfaction has exceeded expectations, collaboration occurs throughout normal activities, and productivity has increased company-wide.