• Marketplace
  • Resources
  • Business Directory
  • Events
  • Advertise
  • Brand Pulse
  • Publish a Press Release
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About Us
The FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003
Allwork.Space
No Result
View All Result
Subscribe
  • More
    • Columnists
      • Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
      • Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
      • Angela Howard – Culture Expert
      • Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
      • Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
    • Get the Newsletter
    • Events
    • Advertise With Us
    • Publish a Press Release
    • Brand PulseNew
    • Partner Portal
  • Latest News
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Work-life
  • Career Growth
  • Tech
  • Design
  • Workforce
  • Coworking
  • CRE
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Columnists
      • Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
      • Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
      • Angela Howard – Culture Expert
      • Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
      • Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
    • Get the Newsletter
    • Events
    • Advertise With Us
    • Publish a Press Release
    • Brand PulseNew
    • Partner Portal
  • Latest News
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Work-life
  • Career Growth
  • Tech
  • Design
  • Workforce
  • Coworking
  • CRE
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
Subscribe
Allwork.Space
No Result
View All Result
Advertisements
Kube Suite - TL
Home Business

Designing for Distraction – Giving Your Members (Work)space

Allwork.Space - PressbyAllwork.Space - Press
June 17, 2016
in Business
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
Brody by Steelcase

Guest post by Helen Bartlett, Paramount Interiors 

We’ve already looked at the fact that noise in an open-plan office can be a problem and how workspace design can help to reduce noise levels. However, some interesting research by global office furniture manufacturers, Steelcase, not only looked at the negative aspects of distraction, but also the advantages of encouraging collaboration and providing stimuli in your workspace and for your workforce.

Advertisements
Maximize Flexible Space Revenue

UK-based office design company Paramount Interiors, works closely with Steelcase on their office fit out projects. We asked Paramount Interiors’ Design Director, Helen Bartlett, to give us her thoughts on how a workspace can be designed to avoid distraction while at the same time inspire the individuals that work in it.

We all have to cope with interruptions at some point in our working day, it’s inevitable. Which is why some workers have nailed down how to ‘zone these distractions out’ and stay focused. On the other hand, given that distractions are part of everyone’s work, some professionals even claim that they need a background buzz to help them concentrate–which is why many modern workers are happy headphone-wearers that manage to be productive.

Advertisements
Yardi Kube automates flex and coworking operations

However, the recent trend towards spacious, collaborative, open plan workspaces has resulted in many forgetting that at some point during the workday, we all need to get away from the noise, the buzz, and (even) the people.

To be human is to be distracted

The Steelcase research recognised that everyone is easily distracted; it’s part of the creative process and distractions are often encouraged. One of the reasons why collaborative workspaces became such a hit is because we all recognized that collaboration and interaction in the workplace can have desirable effects. However, we might’ve let it gone too far, to the point where this interaction prevented workers from concentrating and carrying out tasks at hand.

Steelcase’s neuroscientific research even found that it this tendency towards distractions is rooted into our evolution; i.e. we tend to look up when someone walks by in our peripheral vision because of an innate fear of potential predators.

While we’re unlikely to be bothered by sabre-tooth tigers by the water cooler, this insight helped them identify three different brain modes that individuals use in the workplace:

Advertisements
Nexudus - Tech Stack Lovers
  • Focus – concentrating on a task
  • Regeneration – resting the mind or seeking interaction with colleagues
  • Activation – physical activity that stimulates the brain

Since our brains have different needs during the course of the day, it makes sense that we should create different spaces specific to the way that we need to work in them. An open plan office isn’t always the answer, which is where concepts like agile workspaces come in.

KPMG South Coast offices, courtesy of Paramount Interiors
KPMG South Coast offices, courtesy of Paramount Interiors

In search of solitude

Steelcase and other furniture manufacturers have responded to this problem by creating products that give employees “microenvironments” where they can get away from the constant buzz of workspaces.

Pod-like workspaces, like Steelcase’s Brody, contain their own power source, lighting, storage and in some cases integrated display screens. Enclosed meeting booths, like the ones installed for the fit out of KPMG’s offices in the UK, give people spaces where they can concentrate in peace. As for the classic room with a closed door…there will always be a place for it in any workspace; either for personal use or for private meetings.

Preoccupied prodigies

There is no bullet-proof solution to prevent distraction in the workplace, but this is also a good thing; who wants to work in a space that’s fully quiet and non-stimulating anyway? But, providing options that allow people some quiet and private time is a good way to maintain a balance.

More stories for you

Google Ordered To Pay $28 Million In Employee Racial Bias Case Settlement

Google Ordered To Pay $28 Million In Employee Racial Bias Case Settlement

3 months ago
WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE SUMMIT

WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE SUMMIT

12 months ago
NEOCON 2024 UNVEILS ENGAGING LINEUP OF EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES

Neocon 2024 Unveils Engaging Lineup Of Events And Experiences

1 year ago
The Office Of The Future: How Workspaces Must Adapt For The Hybrid Era

The Office Of The Future: How Workspaces Must Adapt For The Hybrid Era

1 year ago

In any case, if your members are constantly distracted, it might mean that they’re intellectually superior to other individuals.

Feature image courtesy of Steelcase

Advertisements
Subscribe to the Future of Work Newsletter
Tags: Design
Share5Tweet3Share1
Allwork.Space - Press

Allwork.Space - Press

The Allwork.Space Press Room enables brands to broadcast their innovations and achievements, providing a streamlined channel for disseminating news and fostering meaningful dialogue with industry pioneers and thought leaders, ensuring their participation in shaping the Future Of Work®. Submit your Press Release Here

Other Stories Recommended For You

Google Ordered To Pay $28 Million In Employee Racial Bias Case Settlement
News

Google Ordered To Pay $28 Million In Employee Racial Bias Case Settlement

byLesley Miller
3 months ago

Google agreed to pay $28 million to settle a class action lawsuit claiming that it favored white and Asian employees...

Read more
WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE SUMMIT

WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE SUMMIT

12 months ago
NEOCON 2024 UNVEILS ENGAGING LINEUP OF EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES

Neocon 2024 Unveils Engaging Lineup Of Events And Experiences

1 year ago
The Office Of The Future: How Workspaces Must Adapt For The Hybrid Era

The Office Of The Future: How Workspaces Must Adapt For The Hybrid Era

1 year ago
Advertisements
Maximize Flexible Space Revenue
Advertisements
Disaster Avoidance Experts

Unlock your competitive edge in tomorrow's workplace.

Join a community of forward-thinking professionals who get exclusive access to the latest news, trends, and innovations that are shaping the future of work.

©2024 Allwork.Space News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Exploring the Future Of Work® since 2003.

Advertise   Newsletters   Privacy Policy   Terms Of Use   About Us   Contact   Submit a Press Release   Brand Pulse   Podcast   Events   

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Topics
    • Business
    • Leadership
    • Work-life
    • Workforce
    • Career Growth
    • Design
    • Tech
    • Coworking
    • Marketing
    • CRE
  • Podcast
  • Events
  • About Us
  • Solutions
    • Advertise | Media Kit
    • Publish a Press Release
    • Brand Pulse
Subscribe

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00