What are the must have zones in the perfect office for computer programmers? Which of them support productivity?
A.D.: In the case of computer programmers, working space is the most important aspect. It should be dampened and separated from the hubs.
M.B.: For some time there was a lack of meeting places in Polish offices. However, there are currently many companies, not only from the IT industry, which pay attention to the meeting zones, including both formal and informal ones. This isn’t a problem anymore. According to our research, the IT industry needs places for working in concentration (the so called focus rooms), where it’s easy to focus. In my opinion, this is what lacks in the IT offices.
A.D.: Focus rooms are a perfect solution when there is open space in a given company. Employees often complain about such spaces due to noise and lack of privacy. The division into zones is a perfect solution when there are many people engaged in different projects and working on one space. If a team needs to meet and talk, the meeting zone is a good place as it doesn’t interrupt the work of other people. Thanks to this solution, there are less talks in the desk zone so it’s easier to concentrate.
Social facility rooms are therefore really crucial in this industry, however, it may stereotypically seem that they can be omitted and that they aren't so important. In many offices, there are no such places or they’re equipped very provisionally. In your opinion, they're important as employees can meet and talk there... Is that right?
A.D.: I think that employees all over the world have a greater awareness of their expectations towards employers. Therefore, kitchen doesn’t only consist of a table, two chairs and a microwave. To our astonishment, computer programmers explicitly point out that kitchen should be spacious and well-equipped as well as it should consist of a big table, around which the whole team can sit and eat a meal. Kitchen should meet the needs of a given company.
M.B.: On the one hand, kitchen is a place intended for integration. On the other hand, there is an increasing awareness of employees in health effects of sedentary lifestyle. During the interviews, one of the computer programmers told us that one day he had compared the photographs of the whole team from two years and from now. It turned out that all employees put on weight. Computer programmers are starting to understand how important the locomotion and the right nutrition are.
In modern offices, there are often a nap room, chillout room, etc. Such rooms are mainly associated with IT companies in Poland. Do computer programmers actually need such places?
A.D.: The issue of relaxation place was often mentioned during the interviews. After several hours of intensive work, computer programmers need to get out a room, talk with other people or relieve stress. Some people want to play a table football and this is a way for venting their spleen. Other people need to stand up and look outside the window. We've also concentrated on the context of space. People want to shift their gaze from the computer and look at something different. Additionally, they can come up with a new solution to a problem which gives them sleepless nights.
M.B.: Some companies don’t have relaxation or entertaining zones. They prefer their employees to go to work, perform their tasks and go home, without staying longer at the cost of their private life. So, here comes to question: Is such zone a good idea or not? On the one hand, they favor integration and information flow. On the other hand, this integration takes some parts of private life away. How to maintain the balance so that our life wouldn’t only revolve around the office and so that our friends wouldn’t be only the ones from work. It’s worth remembering that it’s impossible to be productive for 8 hours in creative departments. Such people need place for both relaxation and inspiration. However, this is always an individual decision of a client.
You’ve already mentioned that computer programmers do appreciate the view outside the window, which allows them to relax their eyes. What’s the role of greenery located outside the building? Do computer programmers pay attention to flowers in the office?
M.B.: In our survey, we’ve asked them a question allowing for giving rein to their imagination. We’ve asked them to describe the office of their dreams. These descriptions often included the statement: “with the view of the greenery”. In my opinion, many people care about the contact with nature, thus natural materials such as wood or wool are more frequently used in office premises as they make them cozier. There are definitely more flowers in the office these days, including the species which clear the air because of the problems with smog. Employees definitely appreciate more domestic offices.