The workplace has changed dramatically in recent years. The rise in technology and disruptive innovation has led to new ways of working and collaborating, altering the way we work and our work environments. Gone are the days of the cubicle farm and the singular open office. Today, a hybrid of different types of workspaces fuse together to create a seamless work environment that fosters innovation and employee autonomy.

With all of the hype around the modern workplace and alternative work arrangements, you would think that every company is getting on board. If boosting employee productivity and engagement is as simple as good office design, why wouldn’t we all be doing it? In reality though, only one third of American workplaces are keeping up with the demands of the modern workforce. This leaves a huge gap between what employees need to do their job effectively and what employers are actually providing their workers to get the job done.

The latest trend in office design is focused on activity based working. By creating different work zones throughout the office that cater to the different types of work modes, you can empower your employees to move throughout the office and complete their work as best fits the needs of the task at hand. This not only boosts creativity and innovation, it also helps increase employee wellness by encouraging more movement during the workday.

How can we ready ourselves to meet the needs of today’s technology and innovation driven workforce?  In this five part series we will take a look at the different work modes and see how your workplace design can better accommodate these needs.

Part 1: Focus

We will start with focus, which is considered to be one of the most critical work modes. Focus work takes up roughly 45% of our time in the office. This is when we spend time on a particular task or project that requires undivided attention and focus. Many new offices are creating special focus zones or quiet rooms where employees can go to work uninterrupted and complete their tasks with minimal interruptions.

The ‘workplace of the future’ at the Strategy& office in Washington, D.C. incorporates hoteling stations, private areas where employees can go for focus work.

Source: Office Snapshots

The Honestbee office in Singapore features private nooks where employees can work uninterrupted.

Source: Office Lovin

Ready to create a focus zone in your office? Start with the basics. Having a good desk and office chair is the foundation of any focus space. We suggest using a standing desk such as the Ascend Adjustable Height Desk, giving employees the option to sit or stand while engaged in focus work. Pair this with the Space Seating 5700E and you have a complete work station ready for a productive focus work sessions.

Ready for more? Click here to read part two in our five part series on how work modes impact modern workplace design.