Collaborative Spaces Since we have established in Dar es Salaam, our setup and approach to commercial interiors has brought with it very positive and encouraging feedback f rom c l ients , architects, quantity surveyors, contractors, developers and other related industry professionals.

It is encouraging to see that there are many firms in Tanzania who do have corporate standards which they follow when it comes to their interiors. However, those who are not at that stage just yet, are keen to learn and explore new ways of working in order to create a better working environment for their staff and support business functions.

Therefore we see the newsletters as a great opportunity to share knowledge on current workp lace t rends, as wel l as o ther commercial spaces such as retail, public, hospitality etc.

The type of topics which will be covered in upcoming newsletters are:

 Open-plan versus closed offices  Multifunctional and flexible use of spaces  Sustainabi l i ty and corporate social responsibility (CSR)  Branding through design and specification  Acoustic issues and considerations  Effective space planning and its effect on CRE costs  Ergonomics  How to build a good quality finished space on a budget

We represents three major international interior brands in Tanzania: “Teknion” – a Canadian furniture manufacturer; “Interface” – an American carpet tile brand and “JEB International” – a Hong Kong based manufacturer of demountable partition systems. Our newsletters will aim to explain how various challenges and trends can be addressed through careful and intelligent planning, specification and installation.

After all, our motto is “workplace freedom”; giving you the freedom and flexibility to easily change and adapt your working environment through careful specification and planning of individual interior elements. All our brands offer this flexibility.

So enough with the introductions for the first newsletter, let’s move on to the topic of this edition – Collaborative Spaces! It has come up many times in our meetings with clients and is a trending topic globally. The below will hopefully give you some insight as to how collaboration spaces can be effectively planned, used and how the use of interior products such as furniture, carpets and partitions can create the desired environment.

Enjoy reading and your feedback is more than welcome, positive or otherwise!

Newsletter Aug’14!

Karibuni to our 1st newsletter -

In today’s workplace design trends, we are seeing companies engage designers to provide them with environments rather than a typical office space. Environments that promote collaboration and team working.

Quiet “KIOSKs” within a noisy collaborative space

Having said that, open plan space and collaboration zones have created another evil; noise! With the elimination of individual offices and people moving from space to space whilst working within groups, we have a common problem with the loss of privacy. In everyday business, one thing that will never be eliminated is communication and more importantly, communication that requires privacy. This is where JEB came up with the concept to create small, adaptable and private KIOSKs to be used as a touchdown space for private phone calls, video conferences, or just a space for a single person to zone out, (or zone in for that matter) and carry out individual tasks in privacy.

The booths are designed to utilise today’s technology; all we need to communicate with the outside world is a phone line or Wi-Fi. With free available software such as Skype, you can have a video conference anywhere, anytime. JEB KIOSK booths allow a user to walk in with an iPad, laptop or cell phone, sit down, engage in and complete their tasks in a private and focused environment and then l e a v e . J E B h a v e d e s i g n e d t h e m ergonomically and to be capable of holding up to three people and to be installed below the ceiling height of an office.

The KIOSK booths are here to promote collaborative design trends by balancing the real requirements of the office space.

More than ever, companies are making the shift from individual work areas to shared workspaces that encourage interaction. Consequently, companies are designing space and selecting furniture to reflect today’s team-based corporate culture.

Collaboration is one of the best intellectual tools we have for solving problems or creating something new.

Teknion dnaTM is a collection of modular lounge seating and tables designed to expand the functional repertoire of lounge seating. In contrast to a traditional office lounge/reception, in the contemporary office, the lounge often functions as a space for collaborative work and requires furniture that provides greater flexibility and easy access to power and communications. dna is designed to support collaborative work wherever it occurs throughout the office.

Modular soft seating for any environment

 Modular design allows units to align on all sides  Versatile components can be reconfigured by users without tools as needs change  Ideal for multi-use applications in a mixed plan, including open spaces and enclosed rooms

Modularity dna maximizes planning options with minimal inventory. Its unique modular design allows units to be aligned to each other on all sides.

 dna can be arranged in multiple directions, connections and configurations  U n i t s a r e e a s i l y r e c o n fi g u r e d t o accommodate large or small groups and changing activities  Integrated and freestanding tables provide support for work and laptop use  Integrated tables provide access to power/data  All components (except the side table) function as standalone furniture

Versatility Simple in concept, dna offers extensive versatility that enables tailoring a space for required functions and desired aesthetics. dna also supports technology requirements with optional power/data access.

Mixed planning !dna re-imagines the form and function of traditional lounge seating to address the emergence of new collaborative work styles. Today, meetings happen anywhere and dna supports this trend by providing the convenience of being able to have a spontaneous meeting/working group, without the formality of having to book a meeting room or having to walk across the office floor to i ts locat ion. Col laborat ion occurs spontaneously, requiring fluid spaces that allow people to meet and share information easily. dna is ideal for mixed plans that include open, informal collaborative settings and multi-use lounges among a variety of spaces designed to foster interaction and collective creativity.

G o o d o f fi c e d e s i g n s h o u l d e n a b l e concentration and cooperation but also provide inspiration and recreation. Inspiration is important in today’s knowledge society where knowledge is a company’s most valuable asset. Studies show that 80 per cent of all innovation comes from face-to-face discussion, so areas where employees can communicate and collaborate are much more important than in the past.

Defining col laborative areas through floor zoning

Interface can create a space more pleasant and convenient to use in many ways. Interface products can increase comfort u n d e r f o o t , m i n i m i s e n o i s e a n d vibration, help improve air quality and reduce draughts. They can also maximise visual and textural appeal, and offer the flexibility to support a variety of office layouts.

What we need is the chance to share different activities between different types of space.

The answer is a variety of compartments or zones within the office, each with its distinct purpose and identity. It is critical that the work environment provides the right backdrop to inspire creativity and collaboration

The aim is to divide and define space, and modular flooring has a vital role to play.

In an interview with David Oakey, product designer at In ter face, he says that “Collaboration itself has become a business strategy that is changing the way offices are designed. Offices that once were traditionally designed with individual cubicles — called “I-Space”— are now being designed with sharing spaces called “We-Space."

Furthermore, a well planned collaborative space means that “There are huge dynamics of cost savings in IT, real estate, all of those things...”.

When asked how Interface carpet tiles can change the world, he replied “It is all in how you put it together. Modular can do anything you want. We did find out that people were already using our modular carpet to create zoning areas. They were creating area rugs, to hold a space together with the floor.”. In other words, modular carpet tiles when strategically installed, can support various areas within an office. Specifically within a collaborative space, the design and layout of the carpet can affect the flow and movement of the staff, as well as distinguish separate zones for various types of collaborative work.

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“Companies want more creative spaces, more collaborative meeting areas. They are looking for unique pieces of furniture and carpets that create a social workplace.”

info@officespacetz.com

+255 755 29 89 76

www.officespacetz.com @officespacetz

We hope you enjoyed the first newsletter and found the topics useful.

Please feel free to share your feedback or get in touch with us if you have any queries.

Your OfficeSpace Team