The working environment where employees are expected to function in is expected to produce the most efficient work systems that the employees could use in consideration with the position they are taking note of. The responsibilities they handle and their capacity to complete such roles depend so much on how external environmental factors allow them to complete such tasks. Relatively, during the interview, this particular aspect of innovative architecture has been carried into account.
One specific matter that was given focus during the interview was the before and after application of the concepts of innovative architecture. One aspect involves the manner by which the employees operate within their work stations before any particular innovations are applied. The manager was interviewed about how the past setup of the office and the workstations of the employees affected the way they worked and the way they performed their duties. According to the manager, the performance of the people in the stations was rather common; simply trying to get things done and people were barely even getting the chance to meet their production quotas. Most of the time, the employees slack off often going to the comfort room or getting coffee to be able to keep themselves awake and somewhat enthusiastic during the whole day of work. Relatively, such an attitude goes up towards the supervisory positions. It seemed like as if the offices were not fit enough to provide the energy that the employees needed to complete their jobs properly.
Hence, just at least five months ago, changes happened in the overall output of the organization based from the recent innovative renovations completed within the interior design of the office spaces and work stations both for the employees and the supervisors of the organization. One specific feature of the innovation included ergonomic file stations where important documents are kept. Back before the innovations were considered, files were placed in cabinets and are tucked away making access much of a tedious work to consider. It made it harder for the employees to search for files that are necessary for research during a particular meeting with a client. After the renovation, the filing system was changed and became more efficient for the employees to work on especially when it comes to systematically storing and accessing necessary files from the documents kept by the organization.
The work stations including cubicles and personal cabinets set on the work floor has also been changed in a way that every cubicle receives ample light from the renovated windows of the office. Instead of being tucked away in a parallel formation, the diagonal arrangement of the cubicles made it much easier for both sunlight and the air to pass through from one work station to another. The manager mentioned how this change has affected the attitude of the employees as they work through their tasks in a day.
The diagonal arrangement of the cubicles also made it easier for the workers to pass through one row towards another without bumping into each other within each median space provided. the new architectural setup of all the different fixtures within the office made it possible for every element in the area to be functional. This, according to the manager, served as a great source of competent work for the employees. Particularly because the new arrangement allows for more space and more effective system of filing operations for the documents being kept by the company, the employees were able to focus more on what was important in their duties each day, making them able to finish particular tasks that are necessary of getting their attention. From this interview, it could be realized how internal architectural innovation could affect the overall performance of the people. Ergonomic efficiency in work areas affect the overall concept of working therefore allowing people to become more productive without being hindered by particular environmental elements that might keep them from performing at their best capacities.
References:
Brookhuis, K., Hedge, A., Hendrick, H., Salas, E., and Stanton, N. (2005). Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics Models. Florida: CRC Press.
Stanton, N.; Salmon, P., Walker G., Baber, C., Jenkins, D. (2005). Human Factors Methods; A Practical Guide For Engineering and Design. Aldershot, Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing Limited.
