According to recent studies, an average person would usually spend 22.4% of their lives working. Considering that the average working week falls around 40 hours, that equates 1,960 hours per year once the holidays are deducted and assuming that they start their career at the age of 21 and retires once they hit 65, that’s a span of 44 working years. Using the same 409-hour working week, the final number is 91,250 hours.

And when someone – or something – spends 91, 250 hours inside an office or a workspace, he or she is bound to be affected by the environment present within its walls. The design of the space matters for it has the power to influence individuals engaged in the surroundings – be it indirectly contributing a new insight or forming extremities.

And with the majority of today’s working demographic devoting their efforts in competing with one another, each and every one of the players are on the hunt for ways to leverage innovation in their respective teams. One practical way of reaching office design goals is by being thoroughly understanding of how work space designs matter.

Well-established architects around the world have said that innovative spaces should be able to strengthen interactions, communication,  as well as collaborations. Its design and structure should be open, transparent and contextually responsive. There is a growing understanding amongst the majority that breakthroughs are usually the result of a greater collective working on formulating innovations. People need people – together, talented individuals create greater possibilities of achieving brilliant solutions.

Acclaimed author and expert John Seely Brown says that organizations who are constantly spearheading innovations don’t just possess visionary leadership and organizational commitment to creating new ideas, they are also supported by a place that underpin innovation. And with workspaces acting as the stage for overall work experience, it needs to be able to be effective on all fronts – from supporting its operations with the appropriate technology and tools down to positively influencing its culture.

The existing symbiotic relationship amongst the said components can create a multi-dimensional aid to successful innovations if integrated seamlessly. When done right, offices can both inspire and facilitate breakthroughs.

The presence of co-working spaces, incubators and other innovation centers is proof that there is a growing need for offices that cradle the process of revolution. And though each kind carries a significant distinction that varies them form one another, there is a recognizable similarity in them – purpose and function.

Overriding aesthetics, architects and several designers have come back to the core of designs strengthening the “humanness” of the office. Gone are the flashy furnishings putting less emphasis on style and focusing its efforts on what the members needs – as a team and as individuals.

The well-known movement of coworking spaces prides itself in opening new ways of communication and sharing. Offering members a wide range of spaces for several unique activities in one place, providers have collaborated with those who will potentially use them. They have elevated their needs and ambitions – elevating employees and guests.

As the rest of the world continue to empower innovation as a new way to support emerging markets and create more jobs, the importance of innovative spaces will continue to rise. These versatile offices and its dynamic environment now serve as key to sustainable business growth.

Gain access to a wolrd-class contemporary serviced offices and welcome breakthroughs into your doors.

When the seemingly taboo movement of coworking spaces rose to popularity, it carried not just claims of infrastructure and financial aid to startups and freelancers alike, but as well as several intangible claims that elicited curiosity among the members of today’s workforce.

Aside from fully furnished workstations and stable internet topped off with recreational areas such as pool tables, game rooms, and karaoke rooms, these shared offices offer one immeasurable component that is non-existent in traditional workspaces; community.

And though it had several naysayers saying that the increased productivity and so-called collaborative community are just false promises, providers have proven them wrong and they have several proofs that can support the truth of the claims.

The movement itself carries a culture far from what most of the labor force grew up with. Upon introduction, these ideologies caused numbers of talent to reconsider and rethink their beliefs and what matters. Gone are the days when young professionals sought the security established company provided. A large-scale shift of mindset has took over the past few years that resulted to the death of several corporate traditions.

But new perspectives are not the only culprits behind the casualties, the newest demographic present in today’s talent pool and modern technology both have made significant contribution to the downfall of traditions. The new generation of employees aim to be in a workplace that allows them not to just work, but can also help them interact and learn while the latest advancements in technology has allowed people to work almost anywhere in the world.

As a result, coworking spaces thrived by giving the people what they needed in today’s highly-competitive and demanding market.

Antis of the movement claimed that the open layout is a recipe for disaster. With so much going on in the background, distraction is evident. But data from recent studies says otherwise. Deskmag, distributor of the largest annual coworking survey, said that 62% of respondents reported a significant improvement in their standard work upon joining. Moreover, a majority of the members present within these shared offices took were attracted by the community they offer.

The diverse network and large scale possibilities of collaborating with like-minded individuals are things that several freelancers and startups wanted to get a hold of in the hopes of retaining sustainable growth. Later on, even large corporations and tech conglomerates wanted some of this magic too.

Private organizations have tried incorporating these open-space layouts but were unsuccessful. It seemed like creating a collaborative culture needs more than just new ways of communication. So how did coworking spaces did it?

Though each provider is distinct from one another, they each shared one mission: to provide service to an interdisciplinary audience. They are purveyors of a shared culture fostered through knowledge-building events as well as communal eating and drinking. That though having face-to-face interaction synchronous to that of its online counterpart is vital, managing and maintaining a culture through several rituals remain to be important.

Experts have also discussed the benefits of ‘swarms’ of talented individuals present within these shared offices. A large number of literature has been produced emphasizing the positive results of ‘swarms’ of interdisciplinary professionas sharing a common goal. One classic example is the collaboration between scientists and mathematicians who lead the crew of Apollo 13 home. Experts said that this is a natural behavior amongst human beings. This component alone has helped them work together for growth. For a company to continuously thrive, they must have a adaptive culture – one that accepts change and embraces agile working and evolution.

This appropriate blend of networking and interaction within the coworking community allowed them to continuously thrive.

And though the movement itself is flawed, we have to admit that its pioneers have garnered a through understanding of how to create and manage a culture made up of different minds.

Ease yourself into the new traditions and talk to us today about joining a coworking space!

Open plan layouts were welcomed with open arms and was well-received by the majority of the industry. So much so, that within the following years, the world watched in awe as its numbers increased.

As of writing 70% of employees in America alone work in open-plan offices and experts predict that its numbers will continue to grow as employers scramble to create a  strategic solution that caters to their requisites as well as the needs of its workforce. With its versatile and cost-efficient lease terms, mixed with the concept of community, creativity and collaboration, it has dominated workspaces for more than a century.

And though there’s about thousands of blog posts, news articles and even research available in the internet telling freelancers and managers alike about its tangible and intangible benefits, it seems like the layout is losing its charm to today’s workforce.

According to a 2013 study on workspace satisfaction, nearly half of employees in open offices found the lack of both sound and visual privacy a significant problem. The sensation that someone could be looking – or even worse, listening – over your shoulder can’t be shaken off easily causing some of them to resort to the comfort of stairwells, pantry areas and even bathrooms for private matters.

Moreover, recent studies have also reported a stifled engagement amongst professionals in open areas. Bernice Boucher of JLL’s Strategic Consulting group said in an article that the scarcity of privacy at work is a clear crime against productivity. Too much noise and distractions make it hard for them to either do their jobs or have important conversations. It also adds a layer of concern for those who want to protect the confidentiality of their tasks. She adds that certain organizations are also recognizing this and are making significant efforts in incorporating privacy.

Both architects, experts and providers of shared offices such as coworking spaces have put much emphasis on its affordability – the number one factor that appeals to most businesses. But one can only unlock its well-appraised potential if it helps the workforce feel empowered.

Anne-Laure Fayard and John Weeks of Harvard Business Review said that effective offices should be designed to bring people together by removing barriers but at the same time, should be capable enough to provide sufficient privacy so that employees wouldn’t have the irrational fear of being overheard or interrupted. Further strengthening this claim by adding that it should reinforce the permission to speak freely.

Open layouts should be designed in such a way that it doesn’t only constrain one’s working, but also gives them full control of their way of working.

Unlocking the potential of a strategically outlined open space layout doesn’t mean spearheading major renovations; simple measures such as installing movable panels to create ad-hoc private chat areas could help implement privacy.

Senior Vice President of JLL’s Workplace Strategy and Change Management, Phil Kirschner, says that the best scenario for an engaged, efficient and privacy-driven workplace is to have an activity-planning model – one in which members are allowed to choose between individual desks, phone booths, huddle booths and even shared areas depending on the set of tasks they need to accomplish for today.

The well-received coworking movement provides it members the aforementioned liberty to choose the right environment for them. In addition to this, certain providers implement specific instructions on how one should make use of certain areas. Quiet zones prohibit the use of phones, upholstered booths are for private discussions and both dining as well as lounge areas are reserved for engagement and interactions.

Admittedly, the design has its pitfalls – but only when they’re not done right or curated haphazardly. When devised in the right way, not only will it help cost overhead reductions but more importantly, it will help improve your work environment – resulting to a motivated workforce.

Get the best of collaboration and privacy with Sales Rain’s very first coworking space by getting in touch with us today!

As early as January 2018, the latest research has shown a significant difference between flexible spaces and traditional offices in pricing.

The latest propriety data of real estate service firm Cushman & Wakefield and serviced office broker Instant Offices shows that businesses found in the world’s major cities can save up to 73% in overhead costs if they opt for flexible workspaces than conventional office space solutions. Though the aforementioned study tagged Hong Kong as the most expensive city place to rent an office space in the world for its yearly rates of US$27,432 – nearly double the usual cost in other countries within Asia and 18% higher than that of its nearest global competitor, London – figures gathered by Instant from more than 20 years of flexible workspace listing reports that hot desks offered by coworking spaces and other serviced offices only costs US$7,607 per year.

Companies based in London can save more if they opt for the city’s flexible workspaces with an average price of US$11,391 – 47% cheaper than the conventional workrooms costing around US$22,631. Experts predict that the market will remain highly competitive as the demand grows and providers’ number increases. Managing director of Instant’s EMEA group, John Duckworth, says that it’s a common misconception amongst the majority that flexible spaces are much more expensive despite providing short lease terms and fully serviced offerings. He adds that based on their collated market data and their clients’ testimonials regarding their experience in joining local markets, it’s actually a practical, low-cost alternative.

Though the idea of having an engaging, tech-style office seems like a luxury that only large companies can afford, it’s actually much more cost-effective to invest in them rather than simply settling down in traditional layouts. As of writing, modern fit-outs cost nearly 15 percent less than conventional designs in the US – over $30 less per square foot – according to a recent report by American professional services and investment management company JLL.

According to Jacqueline Dompe, Northwest Regional Manager of JLL’s Project and Development Services, tech companies with large renovation budgets are the first to adopt the trend of flexible office spaces. Still, over recent years, they’re not the only ones looking for a more engaging environment. She further discusses that both employees and employers from different industries are now seeing its value. And the good news of it is far more cost-effective have possibly contributed to its popularity. It’s not really an oxymoronic concept. There are a few logical reasons why these modern offices beat the traditional ones in terms of affordability.

First and foremost is the sparse need for construction materials for unassigned seat styles and open floor plans. These features are becoming increasingly popular as managements strive to provide their employees spaces that can accommodate their needs for collaborative and private areas without disregarding their own prerequisite for flexible office space solutions that can adapt to today’s changing times. Dompe adds that having flexibility meant breaking down permanent walls and doors. By doing so, fewer physical materials are required, resulting in a reduction of almost 21% in project costs. Providers are also given the potential of minimizing overall square footage as they offer a wider range of options such as coworking programs to remote workers and other entrepreneurs.

The savings landlords and pioneers get from building these flexible spaces allow them to propose cost-efficient fees, which are the major contributing factors to large companies and startups’ attraction to these types of modern workspaces. In addition to this, the big bonus of having the chance to divert these reductions into something far more productive and the potential of giving their employees a more meaningful experience as they work continues to be a priority of today’s leaders in the market.