Space for thought: designing for knowledge workers

Purpose - Generic use of the term "knowledge worker" has resulted in a generic approach to designing office environments for this group. The purpose of this paper is to probe the mobility patterns and motivations of knowledge workers in order to provide a classification of different types...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Facilities (Bradford, West Yorkshire, England) West Yorkshire, England), 2011-02, Vol.29 (1/2), p.19-30
Main Authors: Greene, C, Myerson, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
20th century
21st century
Architecture
Baby boomers
Business
Classification
Collaboration
Connectors
Design
Designers
Ethnography
Facilities planning
Factories
Knowledge
Layouts
Navigators
Offices
Productivity
Qualitative research
Research methods
Studies
Workers
Workshops
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Summary:Purpose - Generic use of the term "knowledge worker" has resulted in a generic approach to designing office environments for this group. The purpose of this paper is to probe the mobility patterns and motivations of knowledge workers in order to provide a classification of different types of knowledge worker.Design methodology approach - The study was undertaken using a range of qualitative research methods including semi-structured interviews with 20 knowledge workers representing different levels of mobility and experience, ethnographic studies in a media company, real estate business and a public relations firm, and a user workshop. A novel drawing exercise was introduced to elicit responses during the interview process.Findings - Four knowledge worker "character types" emerged from the research: the Anchor and the Connector, who are mainly office-based, and the Gatherer and the Navigator, who work more widely afield.Research limitations implications - This is a small study revealing characteristics particular to the participating individuals and organisations. However, it has wider implications in that the more complex set of requirements revealed by the project requires a more responsive and service-led approach to office design for knowledge workers and the development of new protocols of use within office space.Originality value - The originality value lies in giving designers and facilities managers an insight into the different needs of knowledge workers, who are commonly treated as a homogeneous group. The typologies are an active tool for better brief-making in design for creative facilities.
ISSN:0263-2772
1758-7131
DOI:10.1108/02632771111101304