Knowledge Base

The main purpose of an office environment is to support its occupants in performing their job at maximum cost effectiveness and worker morale.

With different people performing various tasks and activities, however, it is not always easy to select the right office spaces.

To aid decision-making in workplace and office design, one can distinguish three different types of office spaces: work spaces, meeting spaces and support spaces.

For new, or developing businesses, remote satellite offices and project rooms, serviced offices can provide a simple solution and provide all of the former types of space.

This knowledge base covers many of the basic office setups to aid in your understanding of what Unispace can do for you.

WORKSPACES

Work spaces in an office are typically used for conventional office activities such as reading, writing and computer work. There are nine generic types of workspace, each supporting different activities.

OPEN OFFICE – An open work space for more than ten people, suitable for activities which demand frequent communication or routine activities which need relatively little concentration.

TEAM SPACE – A semi-enclosed work space for two to eight people; suitable for teamwork which demands frequent internal communication and a medium level of concentration.

CUBICLE – A semi-enclosed work space for one person, suitable for activities which demand medium concentration and medium interaction.

PRIVATE OFFICE – An enclosed work space for one person, suitable for activities which are confidential, demand a lot of concentration or include many small meetings.

SHARED OFFICE – An enclosed work space for two or three people, suitable for semi-concentrated work and collaborative work in small groups.

TEAM ROOM – An enclosed work space for four to ten people; suitable for teamwork which may be confidential and demands frequent internal communication.

STUDY BOOTH – An enclosed work space for one person; suitable for short-term activities which demand concentration or confidentiality.

WORK LOUNGE – A lounge-like work space for two to six people; suitable for short-term activities which demand collaboration and/or allow impromptu interaction.

TOUCH DOWN – An open work space for one person; suitable for short-term activities which require little concentration and low interaction.

MEETING SPACES

Meeting spaces in an office are typically used interactive processes, be it quick conversations or intensive brainstorms. There are six generic types of meeting space, each supporting different activities.

SMALL MEETING ROOM – An enclosed meeting space for two to four persons, suitable for both formal and informal interaction.

LARGE MEETING ROOM – An enclosed meeting space for five to twelve people, suitable for formal interaction.

SMALL MEETING SPACE – An open or semi-open meeting space for two to four persons; suitable for short, informal interaction.

LARGE MEETING SPACE – An open or semi-open meeting space for five to twelve people; suitable for short, informal interaction.

BRAINSTORM ROOM – An enclosed meeting space for five to twelve people; suitable for brainstorming sessions and workshops.

MEETING POINT – An open meeting point for two to four persons; suitable for ad hoc, informal meetings.

SUPPORT SPACES

Support spaces in an office are typically used for secondary activities such as filing documents or taking a break. There are twelve generic types of support space, each supporting different activities.

FILLING SPACE – An open or enclosed support space for the storage of frequently used files and documents.

STORAGE SPACE – An open or enclosed support space for the storage of commonly used office supplies.

PRINT & COPY AREA – An open or enclosed support space with facilities for printing, scanning and copying.

MAIL AREA – An open or semi-open support space where employees can pick up or deliver their personal mail.

PANTRY AREA – An open or enclosed support space where people can get coffee and tea as well as soft drinks and snacks.

BREAK AREA – A semi-open or enclosed support space where employees can take a break from their work.

LOCKER AREA – An open or semi-open support space where employees can store their personal belongings.

LIBRARY – A semi-open or enclosed support space for reading of books, journals and magazines.

GAMES ROOM – An enclosed support space where employees can play games (e.g. computer games, pool, darts).

WAITING AREA – An open or semi-open support space where visitors can be received and can wait for their appointment.

CIRCULATION SPACE – Support space which is required for circulation on office floors, linking all major functions.