Exploring Steelcase Quiet Spaces Part 2
Do you wish the workplace was more like a library? Everyone would speak in hushed tones. It would be assumed that each person was concentrating hard and shouldn’t have their train of thought interrupted. There would even be secluded nooks for those who like to feel completely alone.
It’s probably not possible to retrain employees to be quiet—sometimes work is the right place to be talkative. But it is possible to provide extra peace, quiet, and privacy for workers who don’t appreciate being in the midst of the action all the time. Last week, we looked at a few of the benefits of the new “Quiet Spaces” from Steelcase. Now, let’s dig a little deeper into some of the features and specs.
The BE ME Place
This version of the Quiet Space includes privacy walls that are semi-opaque to allow light in but keep prying eyes out. The Lagunitas daybeds and benches offer comfortable seating with back pillows that can be used to support forward leaning or reclining postures. The benches are power-enabled to ensure users can recharge their device batteries at the same time they recharge their mental ones. Storage doubles as guest seating or as a place to stash personal gear. Introverts can use this location as a place to unwind and catch up on work or brainstorm new ideas.
The FLOW Place
When it’s absolutely critical to get the job done without interruption, a lounge-style setting isn’t necessarily the best option. It doesn’t really feel like sitting down to work. But a private-office setup is ideal. That’s the format provided by the FLOW design. It’s based on the Elective Elements collection, with a workstation, additional worksurfaces, filing units, bookshelves, and cushion-topped storage. This will become a favorite place for resource-intensive work since there’s plenty of space for reference materials to be stored or spread out on surfaces for easy visualization. It’s a hot spot for introverts who are up against a deadline and ready to by super-productive.
Next week, we’ll explore several more implementations from this new Steelcase collection. As it turns out, we still have a lot to say about being Quiet.