The 5 secrets of office design to boost team collaboration

Team collaboration is the backbone of every successful organization.?

Period.

Individuals working together towards a common goal, accomplish MUCH MORE than they would if they worked alone.?

When designing /slantis new headquarters, collaboration was at the very center of every conversation we had and how to create a space that enhances it.

We are architects, we certainly understand the impact space design has on people.

Let alone a space where you spend at least half of your awake day.??

MASSIVE IMPACT.?

Here is how slantis ’s new HQ reflects through its design, team collaboration:

1. Culture, brand and the built environment

Having your office space branded is far from just having your logo hanging from the entry wall.?

How do you create a space that you can live, breathe and clearly represent its company culture and values?

As I see it, businesses exist for a reason, a bigger purpose, the WHY. I’m not talking about just being profitable, I’m talking about IMPACT and a multiplying effect.?

Office design is the materialization of something larger than ourselves, the vision and purpose of the company. We aimed to transmit slantis ’s culture in every corner, material and feature, where passion, innovation, authenticity and COLLABORATION are part of the ambiance.?

We created a space that is welcoming, comfortable, enjoyable to be in, but above all that fosters a sense of community.?

2. Biophilic Design

Have you heard about the term ”Biophilia”?

If you haven’t, no worries, me neither until we designed the office.?

The term ”Biophilia” literally means a love of life or living things.?

So, ?“Biophilic Design” is how designers play on this idea and bring natural elements into a space to reconnect with nature and a healthier built environment for people.

One of the most noticeable benefits of biophilic design is its positive effect on mood.

Being exposed to sunlight, plants, air and water makes you more creative, productive and improves mental well-being. Studies have shown again and again that exposure to natural elements can reduce stress, anxiety and improve cognitive functions.

As for natural light, it can help regulate the body's circadian rhythm, leading to better sleep patterns and increased energy during the day. This can also reduce the need for artificial lighting, which can save on energy costs.?

Regarding plants, they absorb VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as chemicals that are widely used in domestic cleaning products, contained within some carpets and emitted from electronics.

At /slantis HQ we included:

- Natural light for all open-space areas.

- Plants across the whole office.?

Finally, biophilic design encourages team collaboration. By incorporating natural elements into the workspace, team members feel more connected to their surroundings and this creates a sense of community and promotes teamwork.

Win for all.?

3. Layout is the answer

Design is not decoration or just a cool space. Design generates impact, and impact leads to positive change.?

We live in an era where connectivity is at the very center and our office spaces, and especially, our office layouts, must foster interconnectivity.?

Office cubicles and straight-in-line workstations layouts are so last century!

As I see it, office space must respond to 3 things: promote connection between people, foster a learning environment, be flexible and adaptable - things change rapidly ;)

The layout of the new office is designed in what we have named “pods”.?

Pods are hexagonal tables made up of trapezoidal shaped desks.?

What are called “grouped layouts” are time and again proven to be highly effective if you are looking to promote collective learning, which is exactly what we are aiming for. This layout can also be seen in elementary school classrooms.?

Another important aspect that we covered is the inclusion of movable furniture, which can be rearranged to accommodate different work activities or team sizes.

Finally, open-office layouts can be a challenge. We carefully thought about acoustics and private places to adapt to different working styles. Some people thrive in busy, bustling environments, while others prefer quiet spaces. By designing an office that caters to a range of working styles, the team can work together in harmony, without distracting or interrupting each other.

So, office layout is KEY to positively impact the team's collaboration and ultimately productivity.

4. Team ownership & involvement

The team must be part of the design in order to foster collaboration as a whole.?

For the new HQ, we created smaller projects within the global design to get our team very much involved with innovative and disruptive ideas.?

The main stars of these projects were two:

- An artificial intelligence generated wallpaper.

- A digitally designed and fabricated aluminum chain curtain.

For the wallpaper project, we wanted to create a unique pattern that would truly stand out, showcase our brand look and feel, and pump up our meeting room's hallway. So our tech team took on the challenge and spread the initiative to all slantis.

Using PatternedAI , everyone tried slantis-themed prompts which had to include nature presence, non-geometric shapes, and our main brand colors.?

Once all images were developed, the slantis design technology team chose the one which would have the best outcome considering printing material and technique.

Regarding the digitally designed chain curtain, our technology and architecture team went above and beyond to create a statement piece for our welcome area that's both super-techie and visually stunning. Using Rhino and Grasshopper in #Revit, they designed a scale-like pattern with parallel curves and sinusoidal elevation, ensuring precise positioning and length of each chain.

We used a custom anodized aluminum chain made by Kriskadecor , adding another layer of uniqueness to the project. The final product is a curtain made up of three layers of chains suspended from the ceilings, with link strands that gradually change to curved shapes at the bottom.?

And the coolest part? The design can be easily changed in the future to make different shapes!

5. The breakroom magic tip

Collaboration = Connection

Connection = Spaces that allow us to truly connect with other people.?

People who gather have an opportunity to catch up on other team members about family news or shoot the breeze about current events.?

That is how the best collaboration is built, through trust. And to trust someone, you need to truly connect with that person.?

As Simon Sinek says:

“Music is what happens between the notes. Trust is what happens between the meetings. Even though working virtually might seem more convenient, nothing can replace human contact. When it’s safe to be back in the office, we’ll feel how different it is to truly be together.”

We established dedicated areas with well equipped spaces where team members can enjoy some downtime during the workday and foster relationship building.?

We created 3 spaces as breakrooms:

- The “welcome zone”

- Coffee and snacks area

- Dining hall including collaborative games to play

The “welcome zone”

This is the entrance hall to the office. This space is key for new visitors but also for team members, every day when they enter the office.

By incorporating thoughtful design elements, an entrance hall can be transformed into a collaborative hub that encourages teamwork and creativity.

We equipped it with movable furniture, sofas and puffs that are strategically placed to enhance impromptu meetings and discussions. Also, small tables in case people want to jump on a quick call over there and floor plugs for laptops to have an extra charging spot in case it’s needed.

As I see it, in these areas, small details make a huge difference to encourage team members to work and brainstorm together.

Coffee point

The coffee point is a focal area and when people need a quick break go there. It's located in the middle of the office so it has easy access.

Food and drink, such as coffee, fresh water, tea and healthy snacks; paper products, including disposable cups, plates, eating utensils, as well as shelves for reusable mugs and dishes are available there.?

Also, in front of the coffee point there’s another key collaboration point - “The meson”, which is a huge table to sit, chat and enjoy your break.?

You can even book this space as part of our meeting rooms system and plan ahead for a relaxed meeting over a hot drink.?

Dining Hall?

Finally, we thought of the dining hall as a breakroom. This space is much more than just a place to grab a quick bite to eat or have lunch. It is also an area that can be used to enhance relationship bonding between team members.

Food has always been an integral part of human relationships, from sharing meals with family and friends to gathering around a communal table for celebrations and holidays. Sharing food can be a powerful way to build trust and create a sense of community.

A research conducted at 英国牛津大学 in the UK states that: “…the more often people eat with others the more likely they are to feel happy and satisfied with their lives.”

So having a dedicated area to share lunch is a powerful way to strengthen relationships in the workplace.

Finally, we wanted to take the breakroom and “ temporary disconnection experience” to the next level so we included table games to promote our values as collaboration and foster a true unwind and distress moment.?

In conclusion, office design is an often overlooked but critical aspect of team collaboration.

We worked to design a well-thought out space that fosters a culture of teamwork, boosts productivity and improves overall team relationships. Flexible, adaptable and welcoming.?

Our space is truly empowering and takes our organization to the very next level, materializing that there are no limits to / slantis 's potential and team.

About me: I'm a passionate entrepreneur, writer and women in leadership advocate. Co-founder of?slantis. Speaker at?Harvard University Graduate School of Design?and?Practice of Architecture. Wife 1x, Mom x2, Entrepreneur 1000x. Follow me to learn how we grow our awesome company!