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EDITORIAL
e r o M e o v i N F o t e n i N
Chances are that you see this magazine as professional literature. You draw inspiration from its pages and catch up on the latest developments with an eye to raising the level of your own work. But I doubt that you read Frame at the office. The office is mainly a place for meetings and brainstorming sessions. A lot of your ‘work’ gets done at home or on the way – maybe in an airport lounge, where you’re not the only one who flips open a laptop. Occasionally when that happens, you might wonder whether a physical office is something we still need. And, if we do, what are its requirements now that we carry our office in a handy bag that allows us to work anytime, anywhere? Imagine travelling back in time, say a century ago, when most people worked at home or not far from home. In those days, there was little distinction between where you lived and where you worked. The big difference is the number of people who worked for themselves in the early 20th century instead of belonging to an organization, which is the norm today. It’s precisely that change that gave birth to the office as we know it: a physical space that represents an organization and provides staff with a professional home base. So what does the ideal office look like? Because it functions chiefly as a showpiece, it gives outsiders a clear idea of what the organization stands for, while reminding employees of the principles they are meant to share. The contemporary office helps people to be as productive as possible in an environment that not only fosters concentration but also has facilities for group discussions. Needed are chill-out areas combined with opportunities to move and exercise. Sitting is all right, but not for too long, because recent reports on health hazards compare sitting to smoking. Daylight is a must, as long as it’s not too bright or distracting, and so is an abundance of plants, which purify the air. And finally, today’s office may not emphasize hierarchy in any way. People perform best when they feel free, safe and connected – and not when they are hampered by pressure or seclusion. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? A more in-depth analysis of the subject begins on page 139, in a section that lists all the ingredients for a successful office design. It might be nice to ingest that information along with a latte macchiato in the ‘library’, ‘shelter’ or ‘town hall’ of your modern office. Or while waiting for your next flight, of course. Robert Thiemann, Editor in Chief robert@frameweb.com
