What You'll See in Future Offices

Individual work spaces are getting smaller as public spaces get bigger in today’s flexible/agile workplaces, Rightsize Facility Performance CEO Mason Awtry tells us. (Less room for bobbleheads. More room for bobbing for apples at office parties.) We’ll hear more from Mason and other creative office experts at Bisnow’s Chicago Creative Office Summit on Jan. 30. Each company takes a very different journey toward the land of foosball and skateboards (we kid, that’s a huge generalization), Mason says, especially since “no one specific office format drives this collaboration that everyone seeks.” He’s seen some firms make space decisions solely from the top down, where others might poll employees on how they work best (anything from a Starbucks-like atmosphere to quiet rooms for focus).

When Rightsize is helping design a new cool crib, they discuss the company’s structure, types of employees, and job functionalities. Creative space tends to work best for techies (naturally, they live in a paperless world) versus industries where people are more tied to their desk (like law and finance). Upgrades range from adding more glass and modern touches to bench seating to more open individual work stations, Mason says. It’s the company’s direct brand and conveys a specific image to prospective employees. Mason is just back from 10 days in Barcelona, where he enjoyed touring Antoni Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces (Sagrada Familia, above).