Meeting of the Minds: Designing Office Spaces for Every Style of Collaboration
A meeting is no longer just about a formal agenda in a boardroom. Today, it’s any exchange of ideas—collaborations that can take place anywhere, at any time, and in countless ways. Flexibility and choice in how these meetings occur are key drivers for a successful workplace, to incorporate permanent, hybrid, and offsite workers. To truly support these varied interactions, successful office design must provide a range of spaces that adapt to different meeting styles. Offering multiple options isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a crucial part of fostering productivity and engagement.
Here are five meeting styles that every modern office should be prepared for – no matter your scale:
1. The Traditional Meeting
The formal meeting is a cornerstone of office life, characterized by its length, the number of participants, and the depth of discussion. Whether it's a board meeting, a client pitch, or a departmental update, these gatherings require a space that can accommodate a focused, uninterrupted exchange of ideas. Conference tables are still the go-to for these moments, offering ample surface area and integrated technology options that ensure the meeting runs smoothly from start to finish. These tables are not just functional; they bring a level of sophistication and elegance to the room, reinforcing the importance of the discussions taking place.
Products:
- Tia Conference Table: When strategy sessions get long, this table lets you stretch your legs and keep the ideas flowing.
- C9 Conference Table: Need room for the whole squad? The C9 is big enough for the largest board, team, or pitch!
2. The Spontaneous Brainstorm
Innovation often happens at the spur of the moment, where ideas flow freely and collaboration is organic. These spontaneous brainstorming sessions don’t always need a private setting but require a space that encourages creativity and interaction. To support this, versatile areas for spontaneous collaboration should be woven into the office layout, offering different styles to suit various communication preferences. They should allow people to gather quickly, sketch out ideas, and move seamlessly from one thought to the next. A well-designed office ensures employees can come together whenever inspiration hits.
Products:
- Mastermind Flow: A table that’s all about multitasking—its organic shape makes space for multiple convos to flow at once.
- Allé Sofas: Step away from the desk and sink into some cozy vibes for a quick chat or break.
3. Hybrid Connections
With the rise of remote work, hybrid meetings have become a staple in the modern office. These meetings connect onsite and offsite team members, requiring technology that facilitates seamless communication. Hybrid setups need to ensure that everyone, whether in the office or dialing in from a remote location can contribute equally to the conversation. These solutions should bridge the gap between physical and digital spaces, creating a cohesive meeting experience for everyone involved. These hybrid setups can be flexibly located at the end of workstation neighborhoods or in the open plan.
Products:
- Haven with Media: Need privacy? Turn the entire table for an instant meeting space.
- Tonic with Media: The perfect team table. Zoom in your remote crew and keep the collaboration rolling, no matter where they are.
4. 1:1 Sessions
One-on-one meetings, whether they are coaching sessions, performance reviews, or sensitive discussions, require a different level of privacy and focus. The setting for these meetings needs to be adaptable to the nature of the conversation, providing comfort and discretion. Setups should offer the right amount of privacy, with the option to incorporate technology. Spaces should be distraction-free for these important conversations. Hybrid office/meeting spaces fit the bill, or tech-ready smaller conference tables.
Products:
- Tia Team: The comfort edge keeps everyone chill, while the standing height keeps ideas flowing.
- Tia Private Office: Loan out this beauty for a private meeting, and then reclaim it for your next focus session.
5. Training
Training sessions often require a flexible environment that can be easily reconfigured to suit the needs of the group. These meetings can vary in size and format, from hands-on workshops to lecture-style presentations. Solutions need to support both active participation and note-taking, creating a dynamic environment where teams can fully engage with the material. Think mobile markerboards and mobile tables, products designed for adaptability that can fit the specific requirements of the session but evolve at a moment’s notice.
Products:
- Mobile Markerboards: Ideas on wheels. Roll these boards from training sessions to workspaces, keeping those lightbulb moments front and center.
- Allé Mobile Monitor Wall: Wheel in the big ideas! Perfect for large group presentations, and just as easy to relocate for those breakout brainstorming sessions.
- Flip Tables: Always ready to flip the script! These tech-savvy tables switch from classroom style to group chats in a snap.
Meetings come in many shapes and forms, each with unique requirements and benefits. Providing a range of meeting spaces and solutions can help organizations create environments that support every style of collaboration. From formal discussions to spontaneous brainstorms and hybrid connections to one-on-one coaching and training sessions, design to facilitate the exchange of ideas—wherever and however it happens.