You+
Our values are simple, our actions transparent. We are a company that is committed to one thing above all else, and it’s the people we serve each and every day. We don’t pretend to have all the answers, nor want to prescribe what your next workplace should look like. We want to walk beside you and together create the best possible environment for your collective “you.”

Let's refine the conversation

We hear so often, “What is your point of view? What does the future of the workplace look like?” There is a lot to explore out there through blogs, articles, and definitely no shortage of webinars, but we try and be careful not to answer these questions too pointedly.

We feel the real answers, the answers to the most important questions, are already sitting inside each company and need to be looked at through their individual lens.

You+ is about helping organizations understand their people better and put together the approach that is right for them.
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It starts with you

Life and work are changing as we know it. When we acknowledged that we didn’t have all the answers, we also realized the solution—creating spaces that could adapt as our needs, both individually and as an organization, shifted. Finding flexibility through Soft Architecture, removing the boundaries that lock us into fixed situations, and fostering agile spaces that move along with our evolving needs is crucial to the success of our workplaces.

80/20

Optimizing the feeling of belonging and community when connecting in the workplace.

50/50

A balanced hybrid approach to the workplace.

20/80

Offering employees a choice for how and where they want to work.

The office matters...

We’ve explored key functions needed to support better interactions within our future workplaces. Focus and respite will always be critical to the overall productivity of an employee, but how do we better define spaces for our teams as we move into a more dynamic work environment?

In our experience, we have observed that our spaces need to better allow for creating, converging, and connecting.
Coming together to empower creative thinking.
Embracing relationships, culture, and galvanizing spirits.
Meeting to tackle the problems and focus face-to-face.

Let us dig deep and discover new possibilities in the workplace

Floorplan 1: 80/20
Floorplan 2: 50/50
Floorplan 3: 20/80

Floorplan 1: 80/20

Meeting the needs of an 80/20 workforce

The 80/20 floor plan was built with an equal focus on a personal experience. With the idea of 80% of the workforce returning to the office, we believe in creating more permanent workspaces as well as shared communal social areas, that offer employees a choice for how and where they want to work.

80/20 Settings

Creative team settings are pushed to the outer corners to reduce acoustic impact on the office. The workshop, however, is purposely central, encouraging serendipitous interaction and cross-pollination of ideas.

With most meetings occurring within the office, there is a high number of different types of converge settings, accommodating formal, informal, scheduled, and impromptu meetings.

Connect settings focus heavily in the central hub, maximizing distance to team spaces and reducing acoustic disturbance.

 

Variables to consider
Function Create, Converge, Connect
Sizes Small (1-3), medium (4-7), large (8+)
Formality Impromptu, unplanned, scheduled
Privacy Open, considered, closed
Duration Hour(s), morning/afternoon, day(s)
Common location Mixed-use, open space, enclosed space
Posture Relaxed (seated, lounge), neutral, active (bar, standing)

 

Create
Converge
Connect

Team bunker

  • Architectural structures provide a border for the space
  • Mobile architecture offers secondary space definition when neighborhood shifts are desired
  • The team has the autonomy to evolve the space over time to suit their needs

Project sprint

  • An intense space, assigned to a project for a short/medium period of time
  • Mobile furniture encourages personal shifts to ensure the teams are as efficient as possible

Workshop

  • Easy access to all cross-pollination of ideas
  • Varying floor finishes are designed to encourage confinement
  • Soft Architecture offers the business the longterm flexibility to adjust the space when required

Forum

  • A free address meeting space positioned centrally to ensure it can be accessed from all side
  • The canopy offers privacy and intimacy within the open plan

Summit

  • Architectural structures offer the privacy required for focused meetings
  • Acoustic framed panels dampen sound
  • Glass and curtains allow users visual privacy to suit their needs

Training

  • Mobile tables allow the space to be reconfigured on demand
  • Light task chairs provide users with movement within a small footprint
  • Sessions can run from half a day to multiple days

Campfire

  • Relaxed, comfortable setting for gatherings of any size
  • Strategically positioned
  • Architectural structures offer visual comfort and mitigate distractions

Get together

  • Mobile lounge purposely situated in the hub to allow a more comfortable lengthy get-together
  • Canopies ensure privacy

Kitchen table

  • Informal space for focused individual work to small group meetings
  • The dog-bone shape offers 2 defined halves
  • Upholstered side seating offers a relaxed but active posture for work

80/20 Activation

With the increased adaptation of activity-based work, offices are becoming more dynamic and energetic environments. An ever-growing ‘on-demand’ economy is shaping a culture of immediacy. Translating that demand into the workplace, employees are searching for convenience to do more than one function in the spaces they inhabit.

How can we design settings that keep people engaged and productive? The goal is to keep those within these spaces comfortable and focused on their task – whatever it may be. Spaces need to adapt to the organization, team, and an individual's requirements of the day, offering choice and flexibility.

Original
Modified

As we review the activation taking effect in the 80/20 floorplan to the right, we notice products that can provide support for individuals from day 1 to day 2 in the workplace. Through utilizing the idea of Soft Architecture, neighborhood and personal shifts are taking place.

Day 1

  • Within the team bunker, Applause is arranged in a clover shape allowing for individuals to focus more on the task at hand.
     
  • Kaleid offers secondary space definition and flexibility through dividing spaces for quick sync-ups with team members.
     
  • Fleet rotating table opens up to support a larger team meeting.

Day 2

  • The team finds itself needing more time to work together as a team throughout the day. Opening the space up to offer a larger group setting by rearranging the Applause and allowing Kaleid to offer division and tools for an effective brainstorm.

  • Team members find themselves needing more privacy within Obeya by simply closing the curtains, offering acoustic properties as well.

  • A neighborhood shift has occurred by Fleet rotating table now finding itself supporting a much smaller group.

Floorplan 2: 50/50

Meeting the needs of a 50/50 workforce

The 50/50 floor plan is a balanced hybrid approach to the workplace, supporting full-time office users and those who find themselves in the office only a few days a week.

50/50 Settings

With an even split between hybrid and office-based workers, a conscious effort was made to situate create and converge settings centrally to encourage communication between the 2 groups.

 

Variables to consider
Function Create, Converge, Connect
Sizes Small (1-3), medium (4-7), large (8+)
Formality Impromptu, unplanned, scheduled
Privacy Open, considered, closed
Duration Hour(s), morning/afternoon, day(s)
Common location Mixed-use, open space, enclosed space
Posture Relaxed (seated, lounge), neutral, active (bar, standing)

Create
Converge
Connect

Pop-up

  • Situated within the team neighborhood, this agile overflow space is assigned to the resident office team
  • Bar height tables accommodate team members dipping in and out
  • They have the autonomy to adjust the space as they see fit

Team bunker

  • Usually assigned to a set team, project, or task with clear timelines
  • The space provides all key requirements for a team to fulfill its tasks, insuring they can complete their work within the space

Workshop

  • An open floorplan that can be booked out for creative ideation sessions
  • Those within the space are provided with a toolkit of furniture that is mobile and flexible, empowering them with the autonomy to tune the space to their requirements on any given day

Assembly

  • An informal team activity for a group coming together to align ideas and goals
  • Ideal for bringing together remote workers and office-based workers
  • The planters provide some intimacy without closing the group in

Catch-up

  • A quick meeting to discuss project progress. This space is situated within the hustle and bustle of the office
  • Collaboration tools available nearby should they be required

Summit

  • The soft, acoustic surround cocoons the meeting allowing for focus within the open plan
  • Situated in the center of the office, this is accessible to all

Courtyard

  • The cultural hub of the office. Much consideration is given to the atmosphere of the space - active, lively, vibrant
  • Outdoor blends seamlessly into indoor
  • Varying height furniture provides vantage points and multiple horizons

Get together

  • Strategically positioned to ensure office-based and remote worker interaction
  • Modular lounge provides a comfortable, relaxed, free landscape of nooks for social interactions of all scales

Reaching out

  • Architectural structures provide the privacy and comfort required for sensitive meetings
  • The inclusion of a roof provides a conscious sense of shelter
  • Soft seating chosen to ensure comfort during what can be difficult conversations

50/50 Activation

With the increased adaptation of activity-based work, offices are becoming more dynamic and energetic environments. An ever-growing ‘on-demand’ economy is shaping a culture of immediacy. Translating that demand into the workplace, employees are searching for convenience to do more than one function in the spaces they inhabit.

How can we design settings that keep people engaged and productive? The goal is to keep those within these spaces comfortable and focused on their task – whatever it may be. Spaces need to adapt to the organization, team, and an individual's requirements of the day, offering choice and flexibility.

Original
Modified

As we review the activation taking effect in the 50/50 floorplan to the right, we notice products, like Obeya, start to play a large role in Soft Architecture. Allowing for an organizational shift to occur when the need for change is recognized.

Day 1

  • Creating a neighborhood with Obeya to offer multiple settings for multiple ways of work

  • Creating open walkways to create flow and segment off space

  • Several collaboration rooms to support multiple meeting types

Day 365

  • Overtime, the organization noticed that changes needed to happen. Employees were asking for more areas for personal privacy

  • Additional touchdown spaces were added to offer more focus areas to employees

  • Moving Hex from the open to reduce acoustic distractions and allow closer access to natural light

Floorplan 3: 20/80

Meeting the needs of a 20/80 workforce

The 20/80 plan represents a highly creative and collaborative work environment. Since 80% of employees' time is spent elsewhere, it’s imperative that the office landscape optimizes the feeling of belonging and community when they find themselves connecting with their colleagues in the workplace. Finding flexibility thru soft architecture, removing the permanent walls, and creating spaces that can be agile and move along with an organization as change happens.

20/80 Settings

The 20/80 floorplan represents the most fluid workflow where on demand flexibility is required. Creative settings and agile work tools are positioned strategically and colored accordingly.

Connect settings are as important given most people work remotely. These settings are purposely vibrant and comfortable, stimulating engagement among employees.

Acoustic and visual privacy with clearly defined spaces using Obeya as the foundation is critically important in this highly collaborative environment.

 

Variables to consider
Function Create, Converge, Connect
Sizes Small (1-3), medium (4-7), large (8+)
Formality Impromptu, unplanned, scheduled
Privacy Open, considered, closed
Duration Hour(s), morning/afternoon, day(s)
Common location Mixed-use, open space, enclosed space
Posture Relaxed (seated, lounge), neutral, active (bar, standing)

Create
Converge
Connect

Team bunker

  • One of the few dedicated team spaces situated in the corner for privacy, proximity to outdoors, and natural light
  • Green is used in the space, mirroring the outdoors, as a natural color bringing tranquility and energy to the environment

Pop-up

  • Mobile architecture is regularly mixed within this area, maximizing personal shifts with boards that can be used on all units regardless of function
  • Bar height accommodates drop ins

Workshop

  • This is a mixed used collaborative space which is booked out for lengthy sessions
  • The architectural structures allow for the space to grow or shrink depending on its requirements

Catch-up

  • A space that accommodates catch-up sessions for both the team bunker and the wider office
  • Mobile architecture is used to define the space and allows for users to enlarge if needed

Forum

  • Carpet, curtains and PET ceiling ensure privacy
  • Positioned centrally to ensure ease of locating for external users not often in
  • Stack chairs allow for easy reconfiguring

Summit

  • Media units allow for media functions to accommodate both the team bunker and the summit
  • Booked space for specific presentations, mobile architecture accommodates any collaboration that may be required

Campfire

  • The campfire is key to ensuring company culture and engagement
  • Strategically positioned at the entrance of the office
  • Modular lounge offers maximum relaxation and comfort

Get together

  • The retreat provides the perfect spot for an impromptu, unplanned get together
  • Open but intimate, comfort has been given maximum consideration for both sitting and standing

Reaching out

  • This setting provides a perfect spot for an impromptu chat, both planned or unplanned
  • More visual and acoustic privacy is accommodated
  • The rug heightens the comfort and acoustic insulation

20/80 Activation

With the increased adaptation of activity-based work, offices are becoming more dynamic and energetic environments. An ever-growing ‘on-demand’ economy is shaping a culture of immediacy. Translating that demand into the workplace, employees are searching for convenience to do more than one function in the spaces they inhabit.

How can we design settings that keep people engaged and productive? The goal is to keep those within these spaces comfortable and focused on their task – whatever it may be. Spaces need to adapt to the organization, team, and an individual's requirements of the day, offering choice and flexibility.

Original
Modified

As we review the activation taking effect in the 20/80 floorplan to the right, we notice products like Obeya staying more static and Kaleid becoming the leader in flexibility and offering the ability to divide space through neighborhood shifts.

Day 1

  • Kaleid offers the opportunity to build out several rooms for multiple meetings to all occur at once

  • Comfortable and flexible seating, like Heya mobile, can move freely about the space, offering opportunities for a personal shift

  • Ezel and Heya screens float about the space offering additional division as well as a team work tool

Day 30

  • Project and team needs are changing, so Kaleid offers the flexibility to open the space up and allow people to work more as a unified team

  • Applause finds itself tucked in offering the opportunity for an employee to pop in for a quick discussion

  • Heya mobile offers the opportunity for a one-on-one sync up offering comfort for what could be a more in-depth conversation

  • Ezel stationed as an activation tool, as well as. offering additional privacy

Finding flexibility through Soft Architecture

Soft Architecture

Soft Architecture frees us from being locked into permanent situations and fosters our ability to adapt to whatever lies around the corner. By creating products that serve as both architectural elements that can shift as organization, neighborhood, and personal needs change, as well as being able to activate the spaces within that framework, we will give power and flexibility to employees, teams, and organizations.

When change is the only constant, it's critical that our workplaces are set up to respond to these natural occurrences, empowering our teams to embrace these shifts and adapt quickly to what is around the corner.

ORGANIZATIONAL SHIFT

Day 1 | Day 365

As companies evaluate the behaviors of their people and the use of the settings and products from a broader perspective, there are shifts and changes that will need to be made along the way. In addition to this, as companies grow and expand, they need to be able to adapt both departmentally and throughout the full facility.
Focus: Business
 

NEIGHBORHOOD SHIFT

Day 1 | Day 30

These transitions can be accomplished within the workday and usually don’t cause people disruption. This is great for project cycles where teams tend to shift and change depending on the project at hand. They also support the notion that on day one we don’t fully know how people will interact with the products they are given. This allows flexibility to observe user behavior and make changes based on evolving work needs.
Focus: Team
 

PERSONAL SHIFT

Day 1 | Day 2

These are furniture elements that can be moved and changed on demand at the user level. These products give the user a sense of control in their own environment. This is not only important from a sense of safety and security, as that looks different from one person to the next, but it also allows for impromptu interaction or privacy depending on the user’s needs.
Focus: Individual
 

Exploring the relationship that place has with work, belonging, and well-being

You+ Work
You+ Belong
You+ Well

You+ Work

Life and work are changing as we know it. When we acknowledged that we don’t have all the answers, we also realized the solution—creating spaces that could change with changing needs. Soft architecture is our framework to create a future of work that starts with you.

You+ Belong

You+ Belong is ultimately when your workplace becomes a favorite place. It means leading with empathy when designing spaces to support the different values of the individuals within. Only then are we able to create places where people feel comfortable, connected, accepted, and inspired to be their whole selves.

You+ Well

Health and wellness is not just a state of being free of illness. It’s happiness, enjoyment, inclusion, connection, equality, and more. The better we take care of ourselves, the better we can care for and support those around us. So let’s invest in the health and wellness of our people and create workplaces that nourish the mind, body, and spirit.

Learn more through our workplace insights

Resource Downloads

You Plus - The Next Chapter (13.85 MB)
You Plus - Soft Architecture (7.83 MB)
Planning for tomorrow (2.79 MB)
The role of technology in furniture design (1.75 MB)
Think of your workplace as a... (2.24 MB)
Floorplan for an 80/20 workforce (1.10 MB)
Floorplan for an 50/50 workforce (1.11 MB)
Floorplan for an 20/80 workforce (1.00 MB)
What others are saying about Obeya (455.42 KB)
Cleanability surface testing (19.74 MB)
Human needs matrix (1.43 MB)

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