She has found that plenty of windows and natural light almost always top the list of what employees say they want. And, in these parts, Wooden has found that employees always want to have their opinions heard whenever decisions about their workplace are made. Figuring out how to arrange and design office space can be a daunting process. Consultant Susan Clopton of Northampton works with clients who want to move to a new space or renovate an old one. Every question affecting how an office looks and functions is, she says, a complicated blend of artistry, reality and money.
Flexibility is a word that crops up frequently.
For that reason, many opt to use cubicles that can be adjusted or moved, and many companies want meeting rooms that can be easily converted to a variety of uses. The need for flexibility even affects the way furniture is being designed, says Jennifer Kauls at Kuhn Riddle Architects Inc. in Amherst. Contemporary work spaces, for example, can include small individual desktops on wheels that can be easily swiveled to face nearby coworkers, creating an instant conference table. Companies these days, Kauls says, also want to incorporate spaces that can be used temporarily by consultants, or by employees who work part time at home.