How to Create Flexible and Adaptable Workspaces With Modular Furniture and Joinery
Flexible and adaptable office design allows companies to extract the maximum value from their leased spaces, ensuring that functional requirements are met, whilst not underutilising space. To provide the highest value to employees, workplaces require designs that easily adjust to various needs, as well as future company expansions and requirements. By incorporating modular and multi-use furniture and joinery, companies can future-proof their spaces, ensuring they meet current and evolving demands.
Movable furniture in the front of house / entertaining area created for Ironfish at 5 Blue St, North Sydney
Benefits of adding modular elements to the workplace:
Enhanced Collaboration: Adaptable spaces foster better teamwork and communication by providing different settings for various types of collaboration. Movable furniture and modular designs allow teams to configure their workspaces to suit specific tasks, whether it's brainstorming sessions, formal meetings, or casual discussions.
Improved Space Utilisation: With modular furniture, spaces can be reconfigured quickly and easily to accommodate different functions, reducing the need for excess square footage and lowering overall costs.
Increased Employee Satisfaction: Providing a variety of work environments within one office helps cater to different work styles and preferences. Employees can choose spaces that best suit their tasks, whether they need a quiet area for focused work or a lively space for collaboration.
Future-Proofing: Offices designed with adaptability in mind can easily evolve with the company’s needs. This reduces the need for costly and disruptive renovations as the organisation grows or changes direction. Modular furniture can also be easily moved between offices upon a location change, providing both financial and environmental benefits through their extended life time.
Creating an adaptable collaboration space for Novo Nordisk (118 Mount St, North Sydney)
Through an extensive workplace strategy process, flexible office design was achieved in the adaptable collaboration space that Sheldon installed for Novo Nordisk in their new two-floor office in North Sydney. On Level 10, numerous elements were designed to be hackable and movable, providing a fresh experience every time employees come to the office.
The kitchen/breakout space on Level 10 includes modular furniture and joinery pieces crafted by Sheldon’s internal manufacturing division. This area can be transformed into various settings, including a presentation space (featuring tiered seating and a drop-in projector), town hall/company meeting space, breakout collaboration area, socialisation space (perfect for Friday drinks with a ping pong table and movable seating), and an entry lounge that makes a lasting impression on visitors.
By integrating flexible and adaptable design principles into the workplace, companies will not only meet the current needs of their employees but also ensure their spaces can grow and change with them.