Did you know that we spend almost 30 percent of our lives at work?
It’s a significant amount of time to spend in one singular environment, particularly if you’re one of the millions of office-based workers around the globe, because the office, as we know it, is still evolving. These days, it may feel like there are myriad different types of workplaces, from the traditional to the wacky, and more are becoming popular (or at least, faddishly so) every single year.
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So, here’s our guide for various types of workplaces that exist, and that you, either as a business leader or employee, are likely to enter at some point in your career:
1. Assigned workspace
This is a dedicated workstation for individual employee in any workplace, generally a traditional desk. You might like to read “the decline of the assigned workspace” to find out a little bit more.
2. Breakout spaces
This is any informal space open to everyone, including visitors and partners. This area is separate from the usual working area. Designed for quick chats and spontaneous meetings, it’s also usually an area for employees to relax, socialize or eat lunch. Why not read “from meeting rooms to collaboration spaces” for some further info.
3. Co-working space
A working environment which provides office facilities for a variety of different people, from different businesses – they may be salaried employees working out of the office, or freelancers and contractors. Consider reading co-working spaces: why they’re better than traditional offices for some positive arguments for co-working spaces.
4. Coffice
A coffee shop where people (generally remote or flexible) are able to work. The ingredients are simple: Half coffee shop (café), half office = coffice. For more information about this newer phenomenon, take a glance at our blog “the coffice: is the way we work shifting?”
5. Conference room
In North America, a conference room is a traditional meeting space set within an office environment. In Europe and Asia Pacific, the space is more likely to be referred to as a meeting room. Want some help creating your best possible conference room? Read “five steps to designing your perfect meeting space”.
6. Connected offices
A connected office is usually part of a smart building or environment. It’s a space that is tailored to employee needs, and enables workers to easily perform tasks, such as finding meeting rooms or managing office facilities, in a quick and functional digital capacity. Download our infographic, the future of smart buildings here.
7. Creative spaces
Similar to breakout spaces, but usually more functional for creative endeavours, creative spaces allow side-by-side work between colleagues, clients and communities.
8. Cubicle farm
This is the slang term to describe offices made up of individual cubicles, which is a more common design in the US than in Europe. Learn more from our infographic, here.
9. Flexi desks
… Or also known as desk hoteling, desk sharing, hot desking or shared desks.
These are all terms for the same concept – a flexible workspace, where desks are not permanently assigned, but rather shared between employees, to allow for agility and increased collaboration between teams. Desk sharing is usually facilitated by a desk booking system, and can often be tailored to specific business needs.
You might like to read “what is hotdesking?” Or “how to implement desk sharing in your workplace” for more thorough explanation of this design can work for you.
10. Focus room/huddle room
A small space, meant for one to four people, generally informal, and most importantly private. Read “five steps to designing your perfect meeting space”, for more information
11. Fun zones
… Or a gaming area or a de-stress area.
These are dedicated areas within the workplace which incorporate relaxing or run activities such as ping pong tables, pool tables or other communal games. They’re meant to be a pleasant environment to help boost happiness and mood. Read “why the humble ping pong table is good for business” to learn more.
12. Home worker/working from home
Someone who is home-based only. This is different to a remote worker, who has the capacity to work from various location. Want to know more? Read: busting the myths surrounding working from home.
13. Meeting spaces
A space, typically within a business environment, which is provided for singular events such as business conferences and meetings, either internally, or with clients and visitors. Find out more about improving the management of your meeting rooms here.
14. Nap pods
Specially designed chairs which are sometimes used in corporate environments and universities, allowing people to nap safely and comfortably during the day. For further reading, check out our blog post: seven workplace innovations to help with concentration.
15. Neighbourhoods
The practice of grouping together employees, departments or teams within the workplace. Our friends at Oktra have perfected this, watch the case study video here.
16. Pet-friendly workspaces
This concept is exactly as it sounds – workspaces where employees can bring their pets in! It may sound distracting, but it’s been adopted and championed by major brands, such as Google and Amazon. You might like to read can pet-friendly workplaces help improve employee engagement?
17. Phone booths
A more fun and dynamic working space, which is typically small and meant for one to four people, generally informal, and most importantly, private. Check out our blog post “eight alternative workspaces around the globe”, for the details on more quirky and different spaces.
18. Pods
These are stand-alone units which come in all shapes and sizes and are designed to create a sense of privacy and boost concentration. Available in a variety of materials, some are even portable. Read “seven innovations to help concentration in the workplace”, for more information.
19. Private office
A private office is a workspace which is separated from the open office by partitions or walls. Private office space can be provided to an individual or group that are working on a special project, or undertaking work of a confidential nature. You might like to read “are hybrid spaces the future of work?”
20. Remote working
Remote working allows professionals to work outside of a traditional office environment. It is sometimes called telecommuting or teleworking. For more information on the concept, please read our blog post “remote working – 10 tips for creating the perfect workplace at home.”
21. Smart office
A smart office is a workplace where technology enables people to work better, faster and, of course, smarter. Beacons, sensors and mobile apps help employees perform menial tasks, so they have enough time to focus on innovation and growth. For further reading on the smart office concept, please see “smart offices – the future of the workplace?”
22. Workstation
Generally, a desk, but this can be any area in which you carry out your work. We all know what a desk is, but maybe for a bit of fun, you’d like to check out our blog post “tidy desk vs. untidy desk.”
Any other different workspaces on your list? Let us know!