Tour W.L. Gore’s New ‘Activity Based Workplace’
I’m always fascinated with the latest trends in office design – and this project for W.L. Gore by Francis Cauffman is another great example of what is being called the ‘Activity-based workplace’. The office design trend mirrors the management technique that allows employees to complete work when and where they desire – as long as the work is being completed.
Naturally, office spaces that give a variety of spaces for a variety of work styles is the outcome and today’s space is a great example of this. The architect has mentioned the following:
“At manufacturing company W. L. Gore, every employee is an associate; the organization wanted its new space to highlight its democratic, non-hierarchical culture. This innovative company, one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies To Work For,” believes in the power of the individual and of small teams.
During the design process, Francis Cauffman engaged every user and learned that 20% of Gore’s employees did not even need an assigned space. The result is an “activity-based workplace” where employees have the flexibility to use the space as they see fit. Break-out spaces and enclaves offer alternative ways to work – in a given day, employees can move from a couch to a quiet desk to a table in a busier area.”
