The Modern Office- How complex business needs are forcing architects to ‘think corporate’

Modern architects have a tough job. As well as being good artists and good scientists, they also need to know how a building will be used, who will be using it and what they need besides daily function capabilities.

And when this is all figured out, before the plans even make it onto paper; they also need to spare a thought for the future of the building. How will the materials be disposed of, how will the design contribute to energy efficiency, and most importantly, how will the design of the building cope with structural changes within the business?

‘Workplaces of the future’-otherwise known as activity based working (ABW) environments- are transforming traditional ideas of work and the workplace, by incorporating a number of concepts into one space and doing more, with less.

To be successful, a flexible workspace must go deeper than reducing costs and real estate, and be built on a foundation of business, brand and cultural drivers that will keep the concept afloat for many years.

Top developers are already building with this in mind, and organisations are increasingly taking an interest in the results of other businesses who have been first to test the waters.

But the challenge facing designers is not in the structural elements, or the concept of flexibility, but in the getting to know the business part.

So, what do businesses want, and why do they want it?

This free paper is designed to help architects understand the needs of the modern day organisation, the four main driving points behind business plans to re-fit work environments, and how the right industry support can place architects in a unique position to service these business needs.