Part 2 of 2
SEATTLE—Collaborative workspace is driven by Millennials' preference to work in teams and the organizations' objective to be efficient with their occupied space. That is according to Tom Woodworth, principal of Trammell Crow Co.'s Seattle business unit.
“Flexible systems furniture, whether it be semi-private work space, linear work stations, wireless hubs or demountable demised offices, allow for effortless re-configuration of work groups as enterprise projects advance or work-flow changes.” As a means to stay relevant, design of new buildings has shifted, he tells GlobeSt.com, and requires the following: Open floor plans, enhanced mechanical/electrical systems, intelligent elevator systems, and increased ceiling and window heights.
“These enrichments provide: efficient re-set of systems furniture for improved functionality; increased cooling and ventilation to accommodate greater headcount densities; efficient routing of meeting-bound workers between multiple leased floors; and access to natural light into the open office layout.
The evolution of building design includes building common areas, he adds. For example, 929 and Midtown21 Office Towers, “offer access to non-conventional hospitality-oriented collaborative space, referred to as living rooms, office commons or great rooms. Alternative communal spaces provide employee relations ranging from formal conferencing, lounge settings, media review space, social clustering, and outdoor work spaces; all of which would be situated in large spaces exclusive from the leased floor.”
This common collaborative space, he says, creates a hub between the office floor and the work, live, play neighborhood that these next generation office buildings reside within.
And the change in location and design of urban office space is triggering development companies and property owners to add newly-defined essentials to remain being sought-after locations. “The transformation in employee age demographics and company goals to maximize efficiency of occupied space, health and well-being of their people are distinguishing building position and design.”
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Natalie Dolce
Natalie Dolce, editor-in-chief of GlobeSt.com and GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum, is responsible for working with editorial staff, freelancers and senior management to help plan the overarching vision that encompasses GlobeSt.com, including short-term and long-term goals for the website, how content integrates through the company’s other product lines and the overall quality of content. Previously she served as national executive editor and editor of the West Coast region for GlobeSt.com and Real Estate Forum, and was responsible for coverage of news and information pertaining to that vital real estate region. Prior to moving out to the Southern California office, she was Northeast bureau chief, covering New York City for GlobeSt.com. Her background includes a stint at InStyle Magazine, and as managing editor with New York Press, an alternative weekly New York City paper. In her career, she has also covered a variety of beats for M magazine, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, FashionLedge.com, and Co-Ed magazine. Dolce has also freelanced for a number of publications, including MSNBC.com and Museums New York magazine.
