Work spaces are changing. Collaboration is a buzzword of late, but the idea is impacting the way that work spaces are designed and used. Interior Concepts works daily with contact centers to design work spaces so we have first-hand knowledge of industry trends. Three trends that we have seen that support a collaborative work environment in a contact center include lounge areas, cafés, and flexible multi-purpose table designs.

Comfortable Lounge Areas ...

Over the past year, more contact centers have been incorporating lounge areas into their floor plan designs. These spaces are comfortable, informal places where people can meet to exchange ideas, check cell phones, or work on a computer. One contact center even incorporated a large aquarium into their lounge are to provide the creative, relaxed environment they were seeking.

When designing a lounge area, consider incorporating tablet arms, so each chair has its own workspace. Also consider using a bright, whimsical fabric. Lounge areas are an informal space where incorporating accent colors can be a fun way to brighten an otherwise neutral space.

Above and Beyond the Cafeteria 

Another contemporary trend with a similar concept to the lounge area is a café. These spaces often go above and beyond the traditional cafeteria with only a few tables and plastic chairs. Spaces for contact center agents to relax have gained popularity and new state of the art centers often include cafés that feature places to work and charge electronic items such as cell phones.

Typically these spaces are designed with a stool height work surface, so people can sit or stand, and feature work surface access to power. This is another area where design can be more fun and colors and materials used can add to the feeling of an up-to-date center.

Flexible Multi-Purpose Work Spaces  

Flexible work solutions like tables are a must in any contact center. While one large conference table remains the norm for more formal meeting spaces, often smaller conference rooms are designed using multiple smaller tables that can be rearranged depending on the need.

One exciting new table design is a collaboration table that can fit three to six adults and features a markerboard work surface. This design is an innovative solution for brainstorming and group projects in meeting and training spaces. Another popular design is four to six rectangular tables with half round tables on the end. This design can be used as a large conference table or be easily rearranged to accommodate smaller groups.

What’s Next?  

Moving forward, we will continue to see a trend towards flexible furnishings that complement the goal of the organization. In a contact center environment, this could include a space for agents and employees to relax during breaks, and creating functional meeting and work spaces for back office staff.