People prefer environments, natural or built, that evoke the savanna landscapes of early humans, where open grasslands provided unimpeded views from the cover and protection of tree groupings. Research suggests that people's innate awareness of natural settings provides cues to the effective management of the built environment and the importance of incorporating into it daylight and natural views, refuge and prospect, and other aspects of the savanna.
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Forward Thinking:
Why the Ideas from the Man Who Invented Cubicles Still Make Sense

In the nearly 40 years since Robert Propst wrote The Office: A Facility Based on Change, what has become of his ideas? His study of offices found "it is our buildings, furnishings, and services that have to be revisualized and revitalized." That required an approach for addressing what Propst called the new master in organizations--constant, rapid change. For Propst, this meant new rules for the office: a "forgiving" behavior in facility design; the ability to change with "grace"; putting more control in the hands of the person working in the space. While these rules have been unevenly applied and sometimes misused in the intervening years, they continue to resonate even as work and work environments evolve. Built on Propst's original thoughts, two additional rules address the new office landscape apparent today: Give people choice and variety in how they create and share; enrich their work experience with a workplace that is flexible and open to change and serendipity.
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Making Teamwork Work:
Designing Spaces that Support Collaborative Efforts

"'Teams' and 'struggle' are two words I hear a lot," say a researcher who has listened to managers, facility planners, and team members from a number of types of companies talk about their efforts to promote and support collaborative work. Despite the benefits that teamwork promises to business organizations determined to improve productivity, quality, and worker commitment, many appear to struggle with the implementation of more collaborative organizational structures and work processes.
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New Directions in Call Center Design:
Demanding Challenges for a Complex Workplace

Today's call centers have evolved to become sophisticated, high-tech showcases of service, support, and sales. For companies that interact with customers primarily through their call center, it is often the only opportunity they have to build a relationship with customers. Aside from customers and the corporation at large, call centers need to serve the people who work there, too. Many of them are highly educated, highly sought after workers with a command of both technology and interpersonal communications. A comfortable, well-designed workplace can go a long way toward attracting these agents and keeping them on the job. Strategies for accomplishing this include planning for inevitable changes and more technology, achieving density without sacrificing comfort, making use of natural light and views to the outside, and providing furnishings that adjust to support personal preferences.
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New Executive Officescapes:
Moving from Private Offices to Open Environments

There's a growing trend toward executives leaving their private enclaves to be closer to the action, to their customers, and to each other. They want to be able to communicate more easily and make decisions more quickly. They're also looking for more egalitarian work environments that reflect the goals and cultures of their organizations. Several top executives share their experiences about making the move from private offices to open or common areas, and tell you why the tradeoffs are worth it. Along with other industry experts, they also offer sound advice to others who may be considering a move into the open.
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