Looking to create a more creative workspace in the offices we will soon be occupying. Rather than settle for the same old cubicle environment, I had though that building some short (6'-7') diagonal walls in from the outside walls would give each person a quasi-office while leaving the room open and allowing everyone to connect without noise spilling into other workspaces.
Then again, I'm terrible at layout. Very grateful for any ideas someone might have. Here's a link to our floor plan PDF. I've put some notes in there.
does this have to be walls? can't you go with a more flexible systems furniture, that has much more flexibility? i have seen some pretty nice things on casters, that allow for an almost "wireless" feel...more expensive of course, but much nicer.
Well, the landlord is funding this, so if we went with "furniture", it would come out of our pocket. We were hoping we could "build" the workspaces in a creative way to both save money and provide a better work environment.
put some old chalkboards - the kind that teacher can move from room to room - as walls, spice them up with some casters. you can put cork on half of each "wall" and have usable space on the chalkboard portions.
These are cool ideas, except that the primary reason for "walls" at all is to reduce the phone noise from one space to the next. Some of our people are "loud talkers", so we were hoping for thicker walls. I have some good drywall people.
If anyone has a chance to look at my pdf and make some notes as far as how to most efficiently layout the space for these non-cubicles, that would be so much help to me. I can decide what to make these walls out of, but I am having a hard time with the layout of the room.
smallpotatoes: We're not looking for "acoustical privacy". We're looking for noise mitigation. Silence isn't the requirement.
Ominoliquido: Thaks for the link. None of those ideas seem to be realistic in the size room we're talking about (see pdf). We're not in a 10,000sq ft new york highrise with a $100,000 buildout budget. We're a small office looking for a cubicle alternative.
****melt: I'm sorry, I was sure I had included that in my original post. We're going to have 5 workstations to begin with, but need up to 10 in that room within the coming 12 months.
The top left office (as per notes in the pdf) is going to have the door moved to be on the large room's interior wall, with the middle space being converted into an office once a door is installed.
Also, we're not touching the entry area, really the only area we're making any changes (everything else is as we like it) is the large room under the top two offices.
Finally, we're not wanting to install full offices (we have enough of those), we just want workspaces with quasi-walls. No doors and they can't take up too much space (need 5-10 of them). What I've found is that the workspaces you created are either too private (offices with doors), or not private enough (four person desks).
Again, thank you so much for spending time on my project, I'm very thankful for your concept!
my hourly rate is one bottle of old crow whiskey, 1 pack of nat sherman fantasia lights, a sandwich costing no less than 4.25 and at least 3 scratch off tickets an hour.
but i kind of felt like i was doing real work.. then felt mildly hypocritical that i was defending paid labor in another thread and the volunteering to do free work in another thread.
Orochi: There is no doubt you are a saint after this volunteer work and charity :)
My wife actually came up with this, which may not be ADA compliant but is very much along the lines I was thinking. She does have the benefit of knowing what's going through my brain and my bias favoring her, although there is no doubt that Orochi is a sight to behold.
Relevant area is within the red rectangle. What do you think?
abbynormal-
if you are looking for semi acoustic privacy your best bet is to go with materials that sop up noise, i.e. fabric, carpet, ACT. Make sure your half height walls go up to at least 5' and make sure that they reach the ground as noise passes underneath as well. I personally feel your best bet is to invest in some good acoustic workspace panels (cubicle walls), though boring, they really do do the trick.
As for the layout... not sure if it will work but have you thought about creating work spaces that use 120 degree angles instead of the traditional 90? They give the user a less claustrophobic feel and when situated just right can also give an individual a "private office".
Just a couple of suggestions. Now time for some coffee.
The angles in the drawing I submitted aren't 90, but not 120 either. I like your ideas for softening the noise. The walls will be 6' tall and go from the floor up, stopping short of the ceiling, come out 4 feet, then drop to 4 feet. What we may look at doing is covering the walls with fabric. Could make the place look cool and sop up some noise.
Like beta said, you seriously need to hire an architect or an interior designer if you really do believe you can cover your walls with fabric. Those half height walls are definitely NOT ADA compliant.
And for future reference, I won't speak for everyone, but I do not really appreciate people trying to milk us for free design services. We also have to put food on the table and put roofs over our heads.
I guess I'll just respond that I am thankful for your help and that there may be assumptions being made about me and my concerns that are not completely accurate.
As far as "milking" for free services, I asked for tips, some people responded. Is this not an open and free forum? I didn't see in the rules where I couldn't ask for design tips. If you're offended by it, I'm curious why you participated in the conversation. I'm getting mixed signals; In one post I get helpful tips, with the next post scolding me for asking for tips.
Now that we have a preliminary design, the next step will likely be to seek a professional's help, especially since I don't know the first thing about ADA compliance. We just thought we needed everything to be wheelchair accessible. I'm looking forward to finding out how 6' walls hinder the disabled.
****melt: take the garbage out, that might be where the fish smell is coming from.
normal, it seems most of your layout is wrong, from an ADA standpoint. second, tips are one thing, like the tips i offered at the get go, designs or going beyond what i've said about your layout, is another.
OK, so me submitting my wife's design and asking for comments is too much to ask on this free forum?
FLM: See Yahoo Answers for hundreds of thousands of examples of professionals from every field giving free advice (even attorneys!).
b3tadine: The only person here that did post a design hasn't complained (yet). So, why are you complaining about submitting designs...you didn't.
I'm half laughing at how absurd this thread has become, half disappointed at my motives being misunderstood and half (yes, that's three halves) thankful for the tips I've received. But, Mostly I'm thankful.
Maybe it's best if we shut it down here. Thanks again.
Actually, Yahoo Answers isn't a bad place to compare. Ironically, Yahoo Answers is remarkably civil. I guess I assumed that a forum for professionals would be populated by professionals.
Regardless, I am still thankful for those of you who tried to help!
it is populated by professionals, and you hit the nail on the proverbial head, professionals. we, professionals, would like to, in this horrible market, where 40% unemployment reigns supreme, would like to get paid for the "tips" we provide.
see, i knew you'd be back. perhaps you should go back to a place called yahoo...i am sure they're licensed.
buh-bye again.
Sep 11, 09 9:58 pm ·
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Need tips on designing non-cubicle work areas
Looking to create a more creative workspace in the offices we will soon be occupying. Rather than settle for the same old cubicle environment, I had though that building some short (6'-7') diagonal walls in from the outside walls would give each person a quasi-office while leaving the room open and allowing everyone to connect without noise spilling into other workspaces.
Then again, I'm terrible at layout. Very grateful for any ideas someone might have. Here's a link to our floor plan PDF. I've put some notes in there.
http://www.priceofcrude.com/B300.pdf
does this have to be walls? can't you go with a more flexible systems furniture, that has much more flexibility? i have seen some pretty nice things on casters, that allow for an almost "wireless" feel...more expensive of course, but much nicer.
Well, the landlord is funding this, so if we went with "furniture", it would come out of our pocket. We were hoping we could "build" the workspaces in a creative way to both save money and provide a better work environment.
put some old chalkboards - the kind that teacher can move from room to room - as walls, spice them up with some casters. you can put cork on half of each "wall" and have usable space on the chalkboard portions.
b3's idea would also work with wheeled whiteboards. Plus, whiteboards are magnet compatible and dust free. Check your local downsizing school.
You can do both, depending on the age/preference of the pseudo-cubicle occupant.
These are cool ideas, except that the primary reason for "walls" at all is to reduce the phone noise from one space to the next. Some of our people are "loud talkers", so we were hoping for thicker walls. I have some good drywall people.
If anyone has a chance to look at my pdf and make some notes as far as how to most efficiently layout the space for these non-cubicles, that would be so much help to me. I can decide what to make these walls out of, but I am having a hard time with the layout of the room.
well, 1/2 height walls won't do anything for you then...
So you are looking for free interior design services? I would start with a program, budget and schedule.
I guess to clarify and repeat:
If anyone has any layout ideas they are willing to post, I'd appreciate it.
save money tell the loud talkers to use their inside voices.
You can't have acoustical privacy AND an open studio environment. CAN'T.
You can mitigate the effects of either, but at a certain point you either have to accept a certain noise level, or provide private offices.
a lot of ideas!
i have 2 hours extra time today.... so check back around 6 and ill post something.
smallpotatoes: We're not looking for "acoustical privacy". We're looking for noise mitigation. Silence isn't the requirement.
Ominoliquido: Thaks for the link. None of those ideas seem to be realistic in the size room we're talking about (see pdf). We're not in a 10,000sq ft new york highrise with a $100,000 buildout budget. We're a small office looking for a cubicle alternative.
Orochi: Awesome! I'll check back in a few hours.
How many workstations do you have in mind? That's kinda important. I'm just saying.
****melt: I'm sorry, I was sure I had included that in my original post. We're going to have 5 workstations to begin with, but need up to 10 in that room within the coming 12 months.
Sorry, I didn't have free time earlier. I had to go play private chef.
I could only work on this for an hour or so tonight. I'll finish up and add explications tomorrow.
Also, this is the first interior plan I've ever done. Any comments?
access to the two top rooms and the bottom left room either do not work or are inefficient.
time to break out the solid core doors on sawhorses
Orachi: Thank you so much for the work!
The top left office (as per notes in the pdf) is going to have the door moved to be on the large room's interior wall, with the middle space being converted into an office once a door is installed.
Also, we're not touching the entry area, really the only area we're making any changes (everything else is as we like it) is the large room under the top two offices.
Finally, we're not wanting to install full offices (we have enough of those), we just want workspaces with quasi-walls. No doors and they can't take up too much space (need 5-10 of them). What I've found is that the workspaces you created are either too private (offices with doors), or not private enough (four person desks).
Again, thank you so much for spending time on my project, I'm very thankful for your concept!
it's not even finished
Orochi, what's your hourly rate, or is this an unpaid internship?
my hourly rate is one bottle of old crow whiskey, 1 pack of nat sherman fantasia lights, a sandwich costing no less than 4.25 and at least 3 scratch off tickets an hour.
but i kind of felt like i was doing real work.. then felt mildly hypocritical that i was defending paid labor in another thread and the volunteering to do free work in another thread.
my plans are even ADA complaint!
Orochi: There is no doubt you are a saint after this volunteer work and charity :)
My wife actually came up with this, which may not be ADA compliant but is very much along the lines I was thinking. She does have the benefit of knowing what's going through my brain and my bias favoring her, although there is no doubt that Orochi is a sight to behold.
Relevant area is within the red rectangle. What do you think?
abbynormal-
if you are looking for semi acoustic privacy your best bet is to go with materials that sop up noise, i.e. fabric, carpet, ACT. Make sure your half height walls go up to at least 5' and make sure that they reach the ground as noise passes underneath as well. I personally feel your best bet is to invest in some good acoustic workspace panels (cubicle walls), though boring, they really do do the trick.
As for the layout... not sure if it will work but have you thought about creating work spaces that use 120 degree angles instead of the traditional 90? They give the user a less claustrophobic feel and when situated just right can also give an individual a "private office".
Just a couple of suggestions. Now time for some coffee.
no, no, no, no.....normal, what you have is NOT ADA compliant. hire an architect or get an interior designer.
****melt,
The angles in the drawing I submitted aren't 90, but not 120 either. I like your ideas for softening the noise. The walls will be 6' tall and go from the floor up, stopping short of the ceiling, come out 4 feet, then drop to 4 feet. What we may look at doing is covering the walls with fabric. Could make the place look cool and sop up some noise.
so there is no concern about ADA then? good luck with that. not to mention so much wasted space.
Hmmmm, I smell something fishy.
Like beta said, you seriously need to hire an architect or an interior designer if you really do believe you can cover your walls with fabric. Those half height walls are definitely NOT ADA compliant.
And for future reference, I won't speak for everyone, but I do not really appreciate people trying to milk us for free design services. We also have to put food on the table and put roofs over our heads.
I guess I'll just respond that I am thankful for your help and that there may be assumptions being made about me and my concerns that are not completely accurate.
As far as "milking" for free services, I asked for tips, some people responded. Is this not an open and free forum? I didn't see in the rules where I couldn't ask for design tips. If you're offended by it, I'm curious why you participated in the conversation. I'm getting mixed signals; In one post I get helpful tips, with the next post scolding me for asking for tips.
Now that we have a preliminary design, the next step will likely be to seek a professional's help, especially since I don't know the first thing about ADA compliance. We just thought we needed everything to be wheelchair accessible. I'm looking forward to finding out how 6' walls hinder the disabled.
****melt: take the garbage out, that might be where the fish smell is coming from.
good point, melt, but you forgot:
We also have to put food on the table and put roofs over our heads and fabric on our walls!
just imagine the response someone would get asking a group of lawyers for free work? why do people have such little respect for this profession?
normal, it seems most of your layout is wrong, from an ADA standpoint. second, tips are one thing, like the tips i offered at the get go, designs or going beyond what i've said about your layout, is another.
OK, so me submitting my wife's design and asking for comments is too much to ask on this free forum?
FLM: See Yahoo Answers for hundreds of thousands of examples of professionals from every field giving free advice (even attorneys!).
b3tadine: The only person here that did post a design hasn't complained (yet). So, why are you complaining about submitting designs...you didn't.
I'm half laughing at how absurd this thread has become, half disappointed at my motives being misunderstood and half (yes, that's three halves) thankful for the tips I've received. But, Mostly I'm thankful.
Maybe it's best if we shut it down here. Thanks again.
wow, you are comparing Archinect to Yahoo Answers? Why didn't you post your question at Yahoo Answers then?
first question that I saw when I checked out Yahoo Answers;
"What to do for my 21st birthday?"
buh bye, and don't let the door hit you on the ass.
Acute angles make people tense.
And if they didn't before, they will now.
Actually, Yahoo Answers isn't a bad place to compare. Ironically, Yahoo Answers is remarkably civil. I guess I assumed that a forum for professionals would be populated by professionals.
Regardless, I am still thankful for those of you who tried to help!
it is populated by professionals, and you hit the nail on the proverbial head, professionals. we, professionals, would like to, in this horrible market, where 40% unemployment reigns supreme, would like to get paid for the "tips" we provide.
see, i knew you'd be back. perhaps you should go back to a place called yahoo...i am sure they're licensed.
buh-bye again.
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