off from colleagues. Given these screens can be removed, the space can be easily reconfigured – i.e. a personal workspace today can become an area for teaming tomorrow”. Another consideration is that of complete privacy. There are tasks and personal circumstances that require isolation. These spaces need to be provided so that employees’ needs are catered for. Inspiration Office has a number of these solutions. “The concept that we are talking about is one of an interconnected workspace. Choice in control is the new status symbol in a work context. Workers want freedom to choose where and how they work.” says Andrews
Times Change Using your office furniture to change the game
South Africa
Founded in 2005, with showrooms in Johannesburg & Cape Town, Inspiration Office is one of the leading office furniture suppliers in South Africa. Richard Andrews, Managing Director, explains the Inspiration Office approach: “Every client is different in respect to the nature of their work, their brand, culture and values. Unlike many of our competitors offering a “one-size-fitsall” catalogue approach, we cater to each client individually”. Studies show that a well-designed and healthy office environment can increase performance by up to 36 percent. A paradigm shift needs to take place where furniture is seen as a strategic asset rather than a necessary evil. This is a monetary investment for a return on efficiency of an organisation’s most valuable asset – their workforce. “The key to designing offices today lies in the flexibility of the space”, says Andrews. “With a diverse workforce (gender, age, ethnic
background etc.) you will never design an office that caters for everyone’s personalities! Therefore a flexible space is vital. A way to attain this flexibility is through the choice of furniture.” In an environment with ever-increasing price consciousness, it is vital that a piece of furniture can do more than one task. For example, a pedestal with a fitted cushion doubles as a visitor seat, offering flexibility for quick collaboration while providing personal storage. Furniture can be used to provide balance in a work environment by creating different zones. “Increasingly, organisations are looking at benching solutions, allowing for reduction in footprint and costs of individual workstations” explains Andrews. “In this environment, workers can work alone or in teams. By adding demountable screens, a degree of acoustic & visual privacy is provided without cutting a worker
Integration of technology in the office is key. Wireless technology allows workers to access files and information almost anywhere. This means workers who prefer to work in the vibrant and noisy canteen type set up can do so with the same efficiency as those opting to work in a private office environment. Studies show that 70 percent of ideas are generated when people collaborate. A work environment must therefore create a collaborative experience. This can be achieved through functional furniture tools including interactive solutions (allowing multiple users to share knowledge and information off PC’s simultaneously) and breakout furniture creating an inspiring space for collaboration. Inspiration Office is proud to be involved in the empowerment of local enterprises and has been appointed as the distributor of the revolutionary Game ChangerTM furniture range by Angel Shack. Clients can now be offered an internationally designed, locally manufactured product range that is versatile, easily reconfigurable and balances the need to work in teams and alone. This range has been well received throughout Africa as well as in Europe. Andrews explains: “In Angel Shack we are proudly associated with a company leading the way in the transformation of workplaces and work spaces in our modern society. This VOC free furniture range (Game ChangerTM) is changing the way people work and do business. We are very excited about this - work will never be the same!” Inspiration Office is delighted to have recently finished the installation of furniture in the new Alexander Forbes head office at 115 West Street. This was an installation of in excess of 2,250 workstations and other systems furniture. The furniture chosen was manufactured by Steelcase. To contact Richard or the Inspiration Office team directly, please email richard@inspirationoffice.co.za or call (011) 268 0636.
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February 2013