Office space planners and designers often note that although most employees relish the thought of working and being part of larger groups, they also like to be isolated for certain activities which must be performed at an individual level. For certain crucial tasks that demand concentration, the employees need privacy to ensure optimum output. The design challenge lies in creating small spaces, which co-exist with bigger surroundings.

ccording to architects, small spaces will dominate the modern office environment in years to come. According to them, big space users will be reduced by mobile technology and also workers seeking flexible working hours. The trend of telecommuting will accentuate the wastefulness of large, under-utilised buildings, leading to a metamorphosis in the vision of the workplace. Offices will become more meeting centres with compact, individual ‘hotdesk’ areas.

his particular school of thought believes that offices require more intimate and collaborative spaces. Companies have realised that great things happen when you see and meet different people. However, offering no meeting places except workstations is surely an invitation to constant and unnecessary interruption, so you also need special, informal meeting zones where your staff is located.