Our office offers traditional work environments while also providing diverse collaborative and open seating environments, such as lounge spaces inspired by the living room. What is your favorite spot to work in, and why?

My favorite spot is actually where I am right now. It’s a little alcove right in front of a walkway that looks out [the window] ahead. I love it because it feels like my own little bubble. People can see me, and I can see them as they walk by, but it’s a focused, heads-down area with minimal distractions. Although people pass by, it’s usually just a quick glance, and then I’m back to work. Plus, there’s a lot of sunlight that comes in. When I’m thinking, I can look out and see the skyline, which is quite therapeutic.

What does a day at the office look like for you?

When I arrive, I usually drop off my lunch in the breakroom then head to my desk to work for a bit, typically for about an hour. After that, I need to get up and move around. I might go to the kitchen to work or head to the high-top seating where I have a much better view of the skyline, with the window right in front of me. Sometimes, I use our specialized task or phone booths, or I’ll go to the material library. I rarely stay in one spot for more than two hours because I enjoy the variety. When I need to focus, I go to one spot, and when I need to clear my mind, I go to another. It’s all about finding the right environment for the task at hand.

Can you describe how the workspace options impact the collaborative aspects of your work?

When I want a bit more interaction with people, I head to the kitchen or return to my desk. If I need more open space or a sense of being in a larger room, I go to the high tops or the material lab and listen to the sounds of the 3D printer.

It’s interesting that when you want a little more interaction, you go back to your desk. Tell me a bit more about why that is.

My core team is based in our Raleigh office, and I’m part of the Higher Education team. When it comes to collaboration, I prefer to be where everyone else is. Often, people invite me to collaborate or find me working in this spot, which is a hybrid collaboration zone, and we end up working together. I enjoy collaborating here more than at my desk because it suits one-on-one or small group interactions. It’s not the place for larger group activities like doing red lines together, but it’s perfect for more focused, intimate collaborations.

How often do you utilize the common or shared areas in the office?

Simple answer: every day. I am never not using them. Especially the kitchen; I really like the kitchen. I go in there around 11:00 most days and stand there working at the high-top table until after lunch.

Every day…I love that! Are there any limitations to doing work outside of your dedicated work area?

The biggest thing, especially working in architecture and drafting, is having a double-screen monitor. It’s one of the most important tools, and I think it impresses people the most. Sometimes, I even find myself in the kitchen, where we have a big screen TV in a little alcove. I just plug my computer into the TV and use it as my second screen.

That’s smart. That’s my drawback. When I’m in Revit and working on project detailing, I need my work to be big. So yeah, working on the laptop table and being mobile has been a challenge for me, personally.

How do you balance the need for focused work with the opportunities for social interactions in the common area?

I balance it out by making sure I acknowledge people when I’m in common areas. When someone comes in, I look at them and hold a conversation (if they want). If they don’t, that’s fine, too. This is how I maintain a balance. Additionally, there’s a little nook in our kitchen where I can tuck away if I need more focus. The kitchen offers a duality: an area for socializing and a space for focusing on tasks.

When you’re in those areas with no walls, it’s almost like a metaphor of, like, you’re opening up conversation in those areas. Here’s a big question. If you could design the perfect workspace, what would be in it?

Hmm, the perfect workspace. I think it would have everything we already have in this office. Small nooks, high tops, and low tops. It would be great to have sit-to-stand tables in the small nooks. A 36” TV mounted next to the wall that can be pulled out, plugged in, and pushed back when not in use would be ideal. Of course, natural lighting. It’s essential. Plants and greenery too, just like the ones sprinkled around the office.

Do you think if we didn’t have all these “flex” spaces, it would hinder your work or productivity, and have you seen any impact on your work due to the diversity of workspace options?

I don’t think it would hinder productivity but it’s definitely an enhancement. Having different areas to work in helps me stay focused at various stages throughout my workday. Sitting at a desk, even though it’s what we do, can sometimes feel monotonous. We have our sitting and standing options, but it can feel like we’re locked into those two planes, which can build up a bit of angst because I want to move around. This setup wouldn’t hinder productivity; it’s an enhancement that offers more variety in ways to focus and get tasks done.

Do you see enough connectivity options throughout the various workspace opportunities?

I feel like everywhere has an option for charging. For example, there’s an outlet right behind me that I strategically placed myself nearby. However, I’ve found it challenging to reach an outlet in the kitchen. The seats are surrounded by the current wall, and the nearest outlet is on the TV wall. If I’m sitting there, I can see from one side of the office to the other, but I have to hide behind a nook to reach the outlet, and the charger doesn’t reach that far.

When planning to work outside on the patios, I think, “Okay, I have about 2 1/2 hours, so in about 2 hours or less, I need to be back inside somewhere, plugging in.” There is an outlet, but a little rearranging of the furniture is needed to reach it.

I can totally relate. My laptop battery sometimes deceives me about how much time it has left, too.

It was great chatting with you, Mike. I’m excited to hear that you are the “ideal” person who truly utilizes the spaces as they were designed to be used.

I’ve noticed a lot more people using different spaces, which is really exciting. As I walk by, I often ask them how they like the space compared to their desk. It’s great to see more and more people exploring different areas. I’d like to challenge everyone to move around and see how they feel in those other spaces beyond their desk.

I like that thought. Challenge accepted.