What is an office (work space)? Introducing its meaning, role, and design examples

First, let's look at the meaning and role of an office or work space.

An office is a space where employees carry out their daily work. It is generally a large area that takes up most of the office, and is equipped with desks, computers, and various office equipment.
Recently, you may have heard the term "office space" quite often. This is often used in the same sense as "office," but as the word "space" suggests, it may have a stronger nuance of being a more flexible and multipurpose space.

A recent office trend is the demand for flexible work spaces that can accommodate a variety of uses. One example is the free hot desking office, where employees are not assigned a fixed desk and can use shared seating as they wish. This is based on the premise that the space will be used flexibly, and emphasis is placed on spatial configurations that can accommodate a variety of work styles, such as open spaces to promote collaboration and private booths for concentrated work.

Furthermore, the use of natural light and the installation of greenery, which takes into consideration the health and well-being of employees, are attracting attention as the latest trends in office design.

The terms office and business office are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in their uses and meanings.

An office is a space where employees carry out all of their daily work. It is considered a multi-purpose area that functions not only as a place for concentrated work but also as a place for communication. On the other hand, an office is often a space specialized for clerical work and tends to be used for a more specific purpose.

However, the distinction between the two seems to be becoming blurred recently. Instead, the term "office space," which has a broader meaning than an office, has come to be used.

Modern offices are expected to fulfill a variety of functions beyond their traditional role as a place to work. The following three points are especially important:

By providing open and shared spaces in the office, it becomes easier for people to naturally communicate across departmental boundaries, which can lead to innovation and smooth progress in projects.

The spatial design of an office is essential for visually expressing a company's values and culture. A properly designed office will leave a strong impression of the company's identity on employees and visitors, and will also contribute to branding.

The introduction of hot desking and multipurpose spaces allows employees to choose the most suitable location depending on the nature of their work and the situation. If flexible working methods that suit individual work styles are possible, it will lead to the realization of diverse work styles and work-life balance.

The layout and design of an office has a significant impact on employee productivity and comfort. But what should you pay attention to when creating an effective office?

Here we will take a closer look at the layout and design of the office.

The most important thing about an office is to ensure that each employee has a space where they can work comfortably. Below are some key points to consider.

When working, you need enough space to place your computer, etc. Generally, a width of 100cm to 140cm and a depth of 70cm or more is considered the standard.

Depending on the size of your office, you may want to choose smaller desks to prioritize space efficiency.
On the other hand, depending on the type of work you do, you may need a larger space. For example, if you work in design or handle large drawings, a desk that is 140cm or more wide would be appropriate.

The optimal desk size varies from company to company. It is important to choose the right size based on the office space, purpose, and business content and characteristics.

Today's offices require flexibility to accommodate a variety of work styles.

Recently, a layout that uses shared spaces for multiple purposes has been gaining attention in particular. By giving one space multiple functions, it is possible to make effective use of limited office space.

Another Advantage of a flexible layout is that it makes it easier to accommodate increases or decreases in staff numbers.

Don't forget to provide storage space for personal belongings, documents, shared equipment, etc. Having enough storage space will prevent clutter on desks and in the hallways, helping to maintain a clean and efficient work environment.

It also makes work more efficient by allowing you to quickly find what you need.

To make an office easy to use, it is important to design it with consideration for furniture placement and people's movements. When deciding on the layout of your office, pay attention to the following points.

Decide the layout of desks, cabinets, meeting tables, etc. based on the flow of work and communication between employees. For example, grouping desks by team or setting up collaboration areas will enable efficient work execution.

Design aisles so that workers can move around safely and smoothly. Generally, main aisles should be at least 90cm wide, and secondary aisles at least 60cm wide. If you want to be user-friendly, aisles should be 120cm wide, and desks 180cm wide for comfortable use.

In addition, the Building Standards Act stipulates that the width of passageways within the premises of certain buildings (evacuation routes from building entrances to roads, etc.) must be at least 150 cm in order to ensure safe evacuation in the event of a disaster. However, for small buildings, the minimum width is 90 cm. Make sure to ensure that the passageways are appropriately wide depending on the size and purpose of your office.

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Reference: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism "Cabinet Decision on 'Cabinet Order Partially Amending the Building Standards Act Enforcement Order'"

https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/house05_hh_000811.html

Analyze the frequency and direction of employee movement to design optimal traffic lines. By shortening the distance between departments that frequently visit each other and appropriately arranging shared spaces such as printers and kitchens, you can reduce unnecessary movement and improve work efficiency.

Recent office design has shown a growing emphasis on workers well-being. For example, biophilic design (a method of emphasizing the connection between humans and nature and incorporating natural elements into architectural and spatial design), which involves arranging the office in a way that makes it easy to take in natural light and effectively arranging greenery, is said to be effective in promoting physical and mental health.

Another important trend is sustainability. Companies are looking to reduce their environmental impact by using furniture made from recycled materials and energy-efficient lighting fixtures. These efforts are also attracting attention from the perspective of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Below, we will introduce five unique office installation examples from companies that ITOKI has supported.

So far, we have introduced the meaning and role of an office, as well as the key points for an effective layout. An office space that is both easy to use and comfortable will not only support the long-term growth of a company, but will also increase workers satisfaction and create an environment that generates new ideas.
In today's business world, creating this type of space is no longer something that is "nice to have," but has become "essential."

ITOKI will utilize its experience in proposing over 90,000 office designs per year to provide total office solutions tailored to your company.

We offer a wide range of products, custom-made office space, solutions incorporating the latest trends, and consistent support from design to construction and after-sales follow-up. Why not start building an office that will create the future of your company with ITOKI?

Please feel free to contact us.