Technology will inevitably bring these different components together into fewer devices, and very soon we will see the convergence of our phones and computers. Furniture will have to be designed to accommodate this equip-ment, while buildings will power and cool these pieces of equipment and, most importantly, help connect them. Today, tenants often care more about a building s electrical, cooling, and fiberoptic capabilities than they do its location and physical appearance. The key to space planning is understanding your clients, their business cultures, and how they work. These issues will drive the planning process.
Corporate culture plays a crucial role in office planning.
Organizations with strong corporate hierarchies and structure tend to design more traditional workplaces, using a rigid structure for workstations and office layout. Plans tend to be free-flowing, allowing areas for staff to gather in informal, relaxed environments with conference areas constructed right in the bullpen. The space plans of these offices also promote individualism among the staff. With corporate America undergoing tremendous changes and technology advances, the office environment must change to keep up with these dramatic shifts. Technology will alter office culture, which will in turn influence workspace design.