From the way we dress for work to the way we perform our jobs, everything about the office has evolved over the years. As we prepare to say goodbye to another year and another decade, it’s a great time to look at the evolution of office design. In addition to being responsible for inventing roads, concrete, aqueducts, newspapers, sewers and sanitation, the ancient Romans can also be credited for the legacy of the office. But perhaps we should jump ahead a bit from there.
The birth of the skyscraper heralded a new era in the workplace, one primarily designed to increase productivity. These offices had a mix of private offices and open-plan workstations, and included elements like ceiling tile to minimize office noise.
In the ’60s, the workplace really started to change. The need for interaction and collaboration among employees led the way to the open layout office design. However, the potential for distractions and lack of privacy created discontent with that layout. By the ’70s, the idea of flexible, semi-enclosed work spaces was gaining popularity. The invention of the cubicle allowed the semblance of privacy while maintaining the open space feel.
As technology developed, so did the next big change in office design. Technology allowed workers to be more mobile. That mobility, in turn, transformed the office culture and brought a new ideology: flexible work. The idea that employees didn’t need to be in the office in order to do their job created a new workplace environment and gave birth to shared workspaces.
Technological advancements also allowed for Alliance Corporate Services‘ innovative space planning process, a more efficient and collaborative way to design and furnish an office. Our interactive method of office design and planning allows clients to craft an entire workspace in a fraction of the time it took in the past.
While the history of office design continues to unfold, one thing that has remained constant is our commitment to our clients. Contact us to get started on an update for the new decade!