Ted Moudis Associates (TMA), a leading architectural and interior design firm, has released the findings of its new Workplace Report, offering a comprehensive insight into how companies today are using their office space. This third issue of the report helps to solidify trends that TMA has previously identified and are holding firm, while also outlining burgeoning workplace developments and delving further into the differences between traditional and alternative workplace strategies such as activity based working.
The report encompasses data from more than 3.1 million square feet of workspace in the digital media, professional services, consumer products and financial sectors built throughout the United States over the past two years. The data shows that the square footage per seat for activity based working projects rose 14 feet for a total two-year gain of 18 feet. The square footage for all offices overall kept steady at a robust 165 per seat. This confirms TMA’s previous suggestion that the limits of office density have been reached, and the focus is on the employee experience.
Additionally, the study found that more seats overall are being dedicated to alternative types of seating as people become more comfortable working outside of the ‘traditional desk.’ This includes meeting seats, open collaboration, cafés, and individual focus seats – which can also support employees’ access to technology and ergonomics.
“This is a really exciting time to be in workplace,” noted Jamie Feuerborn, Director of Workplace Strategy at Ted Moudis Associates. “Executive leaders are competing amongst other organizations across all industries to recruit the best and brightest talent and have come to realize the value the physical workplace brings. As a result, we have seen a larger investment in workplace strategy and change management services to help create the right balance between their culture, productivity, and employee experience.”
Additionally, TMA identifies workplace predictions it expects to see over the coming year:
- An increase in semi-enclosed and small focus rooms for 1-3 occupants
- Less executive suites
- An increase in usable square-footage per work seat in activity based working environments
- An increase in both employer and building-provided amenity and wellness spaces
- An increase in the importance of emotional safety as a key driver in office design
The 2018 Workplace Report was compiled by the Workplace Strategy Team at Ted Moudis Associates.