In a series of interviews with Spectrum Workplace, companies consider the changing requirements of both the business and the employee.
The interviews have been brought together as a report and published by DECISION magazine and then as a digital book.

Interview with
NICK TURNER VICE-PRESIDENT NORTHWOOD INVESTORS

PICTURE THE SCENE: you’re surrounded by a lake, an art exhibition, street food market, live music, a dragon boat festival. It sounds more like an extract from a holiday brochure, yet it actually describes a place of work. And that’s what has attracted some one hundred businesses to base themselves at Lakeside North Harbour, the business park set in 120acres of mature landscaped grounds near Portsmouth.

Office furniture has generally become more “funky, casual, and less imposing,” adds Turner. Smaller, too: by having diminished desk sizes and less storage facilities, and with the cloud, no need for server, companies are freeing up space for more breakout and quiet zones.

“I think a lot of companies do still see the office as a cost rather than an investment, but we see more of them recognizing the importance of creating spaces where people are more productive and enjoy spending time.”

“Occupiers are thinking more carefully about how to use their space. There’s no one size fits all; some occupiers remain fairly traditional, with partitions and banks of desks, but generally companies are moving away from that to a more open plan environment, even for their directors, with cellular offices replaced with breakout areas, and amenities like pool tables, games rooms, gyms and kitchens.”

“I think a lot of companies do still see the office as a cost rather than an investment, but we see more of them recognising the importance of creating spaces where people are more productive and enjoy spending time.”