Seven years ago, I literally knew nothing about the basics of designing an office let alone the different names of rooms in an office. And though I've still yet to design an office on my own, I've been able to help many people design theirs and offered up thousands of inspiring offices to help get the creative juices flowing.
But while creativity is great, it can't always get you from Point A to Point B and then to Point Z in a complicated office design project. What can help however, is an increased knowledge of the world surrounding office design.
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And with the new year having just started, it seemed like a good idea to get the word out about a few of my favorite office design resources to take your creative inspiration to a whole new – and often practical – level.
Books
"Planning Office Spaces is a clear, accessible book written to help designers and their clients understand the challenges to be faced when planning a new office. It explains what questions should be asked and shows the alternative solutions and their advantages and disadvantages. Written by an expert team of authors, the book is aimed at anyone involved in planning an office."
"This exploration of the innovative interior design of coworking spaces offers a unique look at a workplace revolution that's sweeping the globe. Coworking is redefining the way we work. Around the world, people are collaborating to create a new kind of economy that supports community and innovation while preserving valuable resources. This illustrated survey of spaces dedicated to coworking features 30 of the most impressive office spaces around the world. "
"Revealing some of the world's most inspiring workplaces, I Wish I Worked There! investigates the way 20 famous brands have put innovation at the heart of their culture. Photographs and illustrations detail the way in which companies accommodate creative activity through spaces that stimulate, enable reflection, promote collaboration and encourage play. Easy-to-adopt principles assist the design, creation or selection of spaces that support creative endeavor."
"Based on the work at the Stanford University d.school and its Environments Collaborative Initiative, Make Space is a tool that shows how space can be intentionally manipulated to ignite creativity. Appropriate for designers charged with creating new spaces or anyone interested in revamping an existing space, this guide offers novel and non-obvious strategies for changing surroundings, specifically to enhance the ways in which teams and individuals communicate, work, play–and innovate."
Magazines
"For over 50 years, Contract has been the hub of commercial design knowledge, connecting professionals, processes, products, and projects. Contract elevates the relevance and value of commercial design by focusing on its power to transform business environments. Contract is the most valuable resource for the A&D community. And it is the only publication that regularly presents the value of these concepts, practices, and trends, demonstrating the business return of design."
"onoffice is the UKs leading publication for the commercial Architect and Design community. Informative, original, provocative and stylish, onoffice has been hugely popular in the UK since its launch in 2006. From cutting-edge interior projects through technology and products to real human issues. onoffice takes designers, architects, facilities managers, specifiers and end users on a journey through the cosmos of commercial space, delivering piercing insight, fearless criticism and the gamut of essential knowledge that makes perfect sense of the world of work."
Trade Publications / Research
The items listed below are great places to browse trends in office design from a researched perspective:
What has helped you learn more about office design?