Office neighborhoods for every work style

Office neighborhoods are designated zones within a larger office space that are tailored to specific teams or departments. This approach allows for customization of work areas to suit the unique needs of each group, fostering a sense of community and belonging for employees. By clustering teams that frequently collaborate near each other in work neighborhoods, communication and productivity are naturally increased.

Office neighborhoods can be made up of desks, meeting spaces, kitchen areas, flex seating zones, and more.

Office neighborhoods can be configured in many different ways to optimize space on the floor plan, including across cubicles and as open-plan layouts. Software like OfficeSpace enables teams to test out neighborhood scenarios and collect feedback from stakeholders prior to taking plans live.

Neighborhoods can be easily reconfigured to accommodate varying team sizes or visitors from other departments. In most workspace management platforms, an administrator determines the layout of the neighborhoods, which desks are assigned to employees, and which workstations are used for hoteling or hot desking. 

Office neighborhoods allow organizations to scale up or down more fluidly as business needs change, thereby managing financial and operational risks associated with long-term fixed or traditional office layouts. The ability to reconfigure spaces quickly and with minimal disruption supports fast-paced, agile project cycles that are conducive to innovation and better workplace management.

Office neighborhoods create a sense of community and belonging and foster a more engaging work environment and stronger camaraderie which ultimately leads to increased employee satisfaction in the workplace. They can improve teamwork and help an organization reach its goals faster. The flexibility of office neighborhoods allows for the creation of varied types of workstations and spaces within the same office—quiet zones, collaborative spaces, and relaxation areas—catering to different work styles and preferences. Data from neighborhood utilization can also be used to inform future types of spaces and office designs based on employee demand for different kinds of workplace design. Ultimately, effective office neighborhoods help teams improve space utilization, increase employee retention, provide a sense of belonging, and test new office environments that have the power to improve company culture.