Decisions are made daily in organizations, both large and small. Earlier research shows that human behavior is affected by the physical environment and so our interest in whether organizations use office design as a strategic tool for increasing performance and productivity of their employees and furthermore how the basis for the decisions looks like, was woken. The purpose of this study is to examine what managers base their decisions on regarding office design and compare those decisions with existing theories of decision making and the current research on how various office environments impacts on individual staff performance. The empirical study is based on a comparative analysis since the underlying idea of our study was to see if the results differ in different organizations, depending on the managers' starting points for their decisions regarding office design. Semi- structured interviews were chosen as research method in the interviews. The results of the study shows that managers do have knowledge of office design and its impact on employee performance and productivity, but they do not use office design as a strategic tool. Managers decisions regarding office design originates from different backgrounds, depends on the size of the organization, business activity and different qualifications.

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Project process\' hindrances over office architectural design production are common at civil construction sector, implying on schedule loss, reworks and higher costs. Many academic literature approaches to that hindrance resulted from failure in project process. Predominantly failures concern translating customer needs and expectations into design conditions. This research objectives to propose scope of work guidelines, securing customer satisfaction and avoiding unforeseen additional costs, reworks, schedule and project benefit loss. Additionally, for each guideline proposed, it is suggested an accountable for it (project manager, architect or client). The adopted methodology was the research and analysis of project methodologies from academic literatures, contenting responsibilities definitions and design criteria that should be considered on the approved scope of work. Furthermore, the creation and implementation of an interview plan with one Brazilian high concept corporative architecture firm and its three clients, in a way that it is possible to measure client\'s point of view over contracted project process. Results from the interviews identified scope definition and project process planning hindrances. Then, in comparison with academic literatures, main project and scope of work issues were identified and used as base to the scope of work development guidelines. / A produção de projetos de arquitetura e engenharia no setor de construção civil apresenta entraves em seus processos de projeto, que implicam em perda de prazo, aumento de custos de projeto e retrabalhos. Diversos autores abordam falhas na gestão do processo de projeto, principalmente na interpretação das necessidades dos clientes e na definição dos critérios que o projeto deve seguir, alguns não previstos no escopo de contratação entre a empresa de arquitetura e o cliente. Esta pesquisa propõe diretrizes para que as empresas de arquitetura possam, junto ao gerente de projetos dos clientes, definir um escopo de serviços em que retrabalho, custos adicionais, atrasos e a insatisfação do cliente com o processo sejam reduzidos ou evitados. Para cada diretriz, há também a definição de quem é o responsável por executá-la (se o arquiteto ou o cliente). A metodologia utilizada para obtenção desse objetivo foi o levantamento e revisão de bibliografia sobre metodologias de projeto e de contratos de projetos, que auxiliem na definição de responsabilidades, atividades e critérios de projeto. Em acréscimo, foi formulado um roteiro de entrevista e eleita uma empresa de arquitetura corporativa com experiência de mercado no Brasil, assim como três clientes da mesma, de forma a mapear o ponto de vista do cliente sobre o processo empregado pela contratada. Com os resultados das entrevistas, fez-se uma análise comparativa entre os métodos de projeto empregados pela empresa de arquitetura e o encontrado em bibliografia, identificando os principais entraves no desenvolvimento e definição do escopo de serviços. Por fim, tais resultados foram utilizados como base para propor diretrizes para que o escopo de serviços entre arquitetos e clientes prevejam revisões de projeto, traduzam efetivamente as necessidades do cliente e atendam prazos e custos esperados.

Project process\' hindrances over office architectural design production are common at civil construction sector, implying on schedule loss, reworks and higher costs. Many academic literature approaches to that hindrance resulted from failure in project process. Predominantly failures concern translating customer needs and expectations into design conditions. This research objectives to propose scope of work guidelines, securing customer satisfaction and avoiding unforeseen additional costs, reworks, schedule and project benefit loss. Additionally, for each guideline proposed, it is suggested an accountable for it (project manager, architect or client). The adopted methodology was the research and analysis of project methodologies from academic literatures, contenting responsibilities definitions and design criteria that should be considered on the approved scope of work. Furthermore, the creation and implementation of an interview plan with one Brazilian high concept corporative architecture firm and its three clients, in a way that it is possible to measure client\'s point of view over contracted project process. Results from the interviews identified scope definition and project process planning hindrances. Then, in comparison with academic literatures, main project and scope of work issues were identified and used as base to the scope of work development guidelines. / A produção de projetos de arquitetura e engenharia no setor de construção civil apresenta entraves em seus processos de projeto, que implicam em perda de prazo, aumento de custos de projeto e retrabalhos. Diversos autores abordam falhas na gestão do processo de projeto, principalmente na interpretação das necessidades dos clientes e na definição dos critérios que o projeto deve seguir, alguns não previstos no escopo de contratação entre a empresa de arquitetura e o cliente. Esta pesquisa propõe diretrizes para que as empresas de arquitetura possam, junto ao gerente de projetos dos clientes, definir um escopo de serviços em que retrabalho, custos adicionais, atrasos e a insatisfação do cliente com o processo sejam reduzidos ou evitados. Para cada diretriz, há também a definição de quem é o responsável por executá-la (se o arquiteto ou o cliente). A metodologia utilizada para obtenção desse objetivo foi o levantamento e revisão de bibliografia sobre metodologias de projeto e de contratos de projetos, que auxiliem na definição de responsabilidades, atividades e critérios de projeto. Em acréscimo, foi formulado um roteiro de entrevista e eleita uma empresa de arquitetura corporativa com experiência de mercado no Brasil, assim como três clientes da mesma, de forma a mapear o ponto de vista do cliente sobre o processo empregado pela contratada. Com os resultados das entrevistas, fez-se uma análise comparativa entre os métodos de projeto empregados pela empresa de arquitetura e o encontrado em bibliografia, identificando os principais entraves no desenvolvimento e definição do escopo de serviços. Por fim, tais resultados foram utilizados como base para propor diretrizes para que o escopo de serviços entre arquitetos e clientes prevejam revisões de projeto, traduzam efetivamente as necessidades do cliente e atendam prazos e custos esperados.

Today, as a result of the improvements especially in the area of medical sciences, conditions of life have changed and the work period has been prolonged. Currently more than one generation has been living together, and even working together. In recent years, it is observed that generationally diverse environments and product or services addressing multi-generational user groups have attracted the attention of particularly the marketing sector and this attention to the generational diversity has become a trend in the design field just as it has in many other areas. This study analyses the design assets of the office environments from the perspective of the important characteristic of the workforce, namely the generational diversity. Designing the office environment by taking only the current and future generations into consideration is not a sufficient way anymore. So, office designers are expected to consider also the older generations existing at the same environment. This trend towards generational diversity has started with the designs and arrangements of home environments / later, due to the advantages it has provided for the organizations&rsquo / success, it has gradually spread towards the designs of office environments. In this study, the work habits of generations have been analyzed initially and then it has been related to the office environments and work cultures. At the end of the study, the effects of multi-generational workforce on the office environment design assets have been discussed.

This thesis presents a comprehensive analysis of workplace design and strategy solutions that have evolved over the last century. It will discuss the various factors which have prompted companies to take significant interest in the design and layout of their office space today. Additionally, this paper will discuss controversies over open office space design as well as the cubicle. I will further explore the possible direction corporate offices are headed in the future, and the prominent organizational trends that will reconstruct the way we understand the functions of the office and the buildings that house them. As the nature of work is evolving and people are spending more time in offices, it is vital that we find the best solutions to enhance their experiences and meet the physiological and psychological needs of the workforce.[1]This paper provides recommendations for improvement of office space and suggestions for combating past mistakes. [1] "Psychology Of The Office Space." Facility Executive - Creating Intelligent Buildings. February 09, 2016. Accessed April 22, 2018. https://facilityexecutive.com/2016/01/psychology-of-the-office-space/.

Bakgrund En arbetsplats ska vara utformad sådan att så många medarbetare som möjligt kan utföra sina arbetsuppgifter på lika villkor. Många organisationer i dagens samhälle väljer att skära ner på andelen privata kontor för att kostnadseffektivisera och ersätter istället med öppna kontorslandskap, varav den vanligaste designen är aktivitetsbaserat kontorslandskap.  Syfte Syftet med studien är att beskriva och analysera hur den psykosociala arbetsmiljön påverkas av aktivitetsbaserade kontorslandskap. Organisationer är skyldiga att erbjuda sina medarbetare en god arbetsmiljö och studiens målsättning är att bidra med ökad kunskap kring hur det aktivitetsbaserade kontorslandskapet påverkar den psykosociala arbetsmiljön för medarbetare. Metod Studien har använt en kvalitativ metod för att besvara frågeställningen. Vid insamling till empiri användes sju semistrukturerade intervjuer. Slutsats Studiens resultat påvisar utmaningar som ett aktivitetsbaserat kontorslandskap, ABK, medfört för den psykosociala arbetsmiljön för medarbetare. Det kan konstateras att gemenskapen gynnats, däremot har ökad synlighet, mindre effektivitet och platsbrist lett till en ökad stress hos individen. Den psykosociala arbetsmiljön har försämrats för de medarbetare som har koncentrationskrävande arbetsuppgifter och som är i behov av en större kontorsyta med fler arbetsredskap. Däremot passar kontorsdesignen bättre för dem med mer flexibla arbetsuppgifter och som drar nytta av att kunna variera kontorsplats utifrån arbetsuppgift. Det kan också konstateras att trivseln i ett aktivitetsbaserat kontorslandskap till stor del är beroende av individens personlighet, då upplevelsen präglas av medarbetarens personliga preferenser. Således kan det konstateras att den psykosociala arbetsmiljön är påverkad av arbetet i ett aktivitetsbaserat kontorslandskap. / Background The workspace must be designed in such a way, that as many employees as possible can perform their task assignments on equal terms. Organizations in today’s society choose to cut the proportion of private offices in order to be cost-effective. Consequently, they replace private offices with open office landscapes – where the most common design is called activity-based office landscape. Purpose The purpose of this study is to describe and to analyze how the psychosocial work environment is affected by activity-based office landscapes. By Swedish law, organizations are obligated to offer their employees a good work environment. The aim of the study is to contribute with increased knowledge about how the activity-based office landscape affects the psychosocial work environment for employees. Method The study has used a qualitative method to answer the question at issue. Furthermore, seven semi-structed interviews were conducted to collect the data. Conclusion The result of the study demonstrates challenges for the psychosocial work environment brought by activity-based workspace, ABW. It can be stated that the connection between coworkers is benefited, however, increased visibility, less efficiency and lack of space have led to an increased stress for employees. The activity-based workspace has been deteriorated for those employees who have concentration-demanding work tasks and for those who are in need of larger office space with more work tools. On the other hand, the office design is better suited for those with more flexible work tasks and those who benefit from being able to vary office space based on their work task. It can also be stated that the well-being in an activity-based workspace is largely dependent on personalities, as the experience is characterized by the employees’ personal preferences. It can therefore be stated that the psychosocial work environment is affected by the work in an activitybased workspace.

Kontoren har ekat tomma sedan pandemins start och många har blivit tvungna att arbeta hemifrån. Arbetsgivarna står nu därför inför en stor utmaning i att få tillbaka sina anställda till kontoret utan tvångsmedel. Hemarbetet har gett smak för ökad kontroll och frihetsgrad över arbetsplatsen och har därför blivit en mer bekväm och trivsam plats att arbeta på jämfört med kontoret, men de sociala tillfällena med kollegor uteblir hemma i vardagsrummet. Vilken roll kommer kontoren ha i framtiden, blir kontoret det sociala vardagsrummet för de anställda? Enligt Christina Bodin Danielsson påverkar miljön på arbetsplatsen vår hälsa och välbefinnande. Beroende på hur vi utformar kontoren, kan vi påverka hur de anställda trivs, mår och presterar på arbetsplatsen (Arbetsplatsenifokus, 2020). Forskningsfrågorna som arbetet ska ge svar på är (1) På vilket sätt har de utvalda komponenterna betydelse för utformningen av ett kontor för att uppnå ett socialt hållbart och trivsamt kontor? och (2) Hur kan ett befintligt kontors rumsliga design utformas för att öka social hållbarhet och trivsel? Syftet med kandidatarbetet är att utifrån en utredning av arkitektoniska aspekter, belysa huvudkomponenter som är viktiga vid utformningen av kontor. Samt konceptuellt applicera dessa på ett befintligt kontor genom ett gestaltningsförslag. Under arbetets gång kommer vi ha ett nära samarbete med Hitachi Energy, som är stationerat i Landskrona. Genom enkäter, intervjuer och platsbesök får vi förståelse över hur kontoret ser ut idag och vilka önskemål de anställda har på utformningen. Arbetet har landat i ett gestaltningsförslag för hur deras kontor kan utformas för att skapa en mer socialt hållbar och inbjudande arbetsplats. Studien visar på att kontorets utformning har stor betydelse för hur de anställda mår, trivs och presterar på arbetsplatsen. Vi hoppas genom kandidatarbetet kunna bidra med kunskap för att göra kontorsmiljöer mer socialt hållbara. Resultatet av pandemins påverkan på kontoren är ännu obesvarat, men det förväntas landa i en kombination av hemarbete och att arbeta på kontoret. Stor vikt kommer därför behöva läggas på att kontoret blir den sociala knutpunkten för de anställda. Med fler platser för de sociala tillfällena och fokus på samhörighet mellan medarbetare, bidrar vi till högre kreativitet och engagemang. / The offices have been empty since the start of the pandemic and many have been forced to work from home. Employers therefore face a major challenge in getting their employees back to the office without coercive measures. The home office has increased employees’ control and degree of freedom on the layout of the workplace and has therefore been experienced as a more pleasant workplace than the office, but at the same time social interactions with colleagues are lacking in the home office. What role will the office play in the future? Will the office become the social livingroom for employees? According to Christina Bodin Danielsson, the workplace environment affects our health and well being. Depending on how the office is designed, we can influence how the employees feel and perform (Arbetsplatsenifokus, 2020). The research questions are (1) In what way a series of selected components are important for the design of an office in order to achieve a socially sustainable and pleasant office? and (2) How can spatial design of an existing office be developed to increase social sustainability and well-being? The purpose of the bachelor thesis is, on the basis of an investigation of architectural aspects, to highlight the main components that are important in office design and conceptually apply these to an existing office through a design proposal. During the work we have had a collaboration with the company Hitachi Energy, based in Landskrona. Through surveys, interviews and site visits, we gained an understanding of what the office looks like today and the employees’ wishes about the design. The work has landed in a design proposal of how the office can be designed to create a more socially sustainable and inviting workplace. The study shows that the design of the office is of great importance for how employees feel comfortable and perform in the workplace. Through the bachelor thesis, we hope to be able to contribute knowledge to make office environments more socially sustainable. The result of the pandemic’s impact on the office is still to be defined, but it is expected that it will lead to a combination of working from home and working in an office. Great emphasis will need to be put on the office becoming a social hub for the employees. With more places for social interaction and a focus on togetherness between employees, the office could also allow higher creativity and commitment.

Vårt föränderliga samhälle påverkar och utmanar sättet att arbeta samt organisera arbete. Många organisationer förändrar kontorsmiljö och arbetssätt i syfte att skapa en mer stödjande arbetsplats. En växande kontorstrend är det aktivitetsbaserade arbetssättet, hädanefter kallat ABW. Arbetssättet innebär ett papperslöst kontor, utformat i olika zoner anpassade efter de anställdas behov. Medarbetarna har inga egna platser utan uppmanas att välja arbetsstation utifrån arbetsuppgift. Konceptet syftar till att inspirera samt främja samarbete och innovation men också till att öka lönsamheten. Studien, vilken utgår från en kvalitativ ansats, syftar till att undersöka hur medarbetare i organisationen upplever att den fysiska och psykosociala arbetsmiljön påverkas av att arbeta aktivitetsbaserat samt vad i det förändrade arbetssättet som eventuellt leder till förbättrad eller försämrad upplevd hälsa samt arbetstillfredsställelse. Studien  visar  att  den  fysiska  arbetsmiljön  har  stark  positiv  inverkan  på  medarbetarnas upplevda arbetstillfredsställelse men att arbetssättet i sig inte upplevs lika positivt. Medarbetarna nyttjar inte fullt ut arbetssättet så som det är tänkt och de olika zonerna upplevs många  gånger  ofunktionella.  De  främsta  orsakerna  till  upplevelsen  av  en  försämrad arbetsmiljö är dels att medarbetarna inte har sin fasta plats, dels svårigheterna att samla hela gruppen. Slutsatsen är att god hälsa och arbetstillfredsställelse lättare uppnås genom att beakta medarbetarnas individuella förutsättningar samt förmåga och vilja att hantera förändringarna som arbetssättet innebär. Vi anser studien vara av värde då kunskapen kring ABWs för- och nackdelar samt påverkan på medarbetarnas fysiska och psykiska hälsa samt arbetstillfredsställelse  är  begränsad.  Genom  ökad  kunskap  och  förståelse  ökar förutsättningarna för ett mer hållbart arbetsliv. / Our   changing   society influence   and   challenge the   way   of   working and   organizing work. Many organizations change the office environment and the work concept in order to create a  more  supporting  workplace. A  growing  office trend  is the  concept  activity based working, henceforth called ABW. The work concept means a paperless office, designed in different  zones customized  to  suit the needs of employees. The employees  have no  fixed seats,  instead  they are  encouraged  to  choose  workstation  based  on  the  assignment.  The concept aims  to inspire and  promote collaboration  and  innovation,  but  also to  increase profitability.   The study,  which  is  based  on a qualitative approach,  aims  to  explore how employees in the organization perceive that the physical and psychosocial work environment is affected by working activity based and which factors in the changed way of working that leads to increased or decreased perceived health and job satisfaction. The study shows that the physical environment has a strong positive impact on employees' perceived job satisfaction but  that  the  activity  based  working  in  itself  not  always  is  perceived  as  positive.  The employees did not fully utilize the activity based working concept as it is supposed and the different office zones are often perceived as non-functional. The main reasons for why the physical and psychosocial work environment is perceived as impaired are partly that the employees do not have their own seats, partly the reduced possibilities to gather the whole group. The conclusion is that good health and job satisfaction is more easily achieved if considering the employees individual conditions as well as ability and willingness to handle the changes that the new way of working means. Since the knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of the concept, as well as it’s impact on employees' physical and psychological health is limited, we believe our study to be of value. Through improved knowledge  and  understanding the  opportunities  to  create  a  more  sustainable  worklife increases.