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One of the most popular spaces in our new Chicago showroom is a WorkCafé setting we’ve dubbed the Back Porch. Two Instagram comments sum up the buzz we heard around this space from our NeoCon visitors this year:
“I love the colors and natural bright light. Now this is a great place to work!”
“Love the vibes going on in this space!”
Color. Natural light. Comfortable vibes. These are qualities that draw people together, whether at work or at home. Everyone loves hanging out on their friend’s back porch; why wouldn’t they gravitate toward a similar space for their interactions at work?
Spaces like this help workers relax and breathe—something everyone needs in a high-pressure office environment. The large windows, lush green plants and casual furniture offer individuals a restorative place to stretch, refuel, and unwind on their own.
At the same time, environments like this give workers natural opportunities to grow their soft skills by connecting with others, bouncing ideas around and meeting up with colleagues in unscheduled ways. The thoughtful blend of furniture settings—configured to accommodate a variety of postures and work modes—lends itself to casual conversations, off-the-cuff brainstorming and quick breaks between meetings.
The ultimate in-between space. The Trestle table from the Viccarbe Imports Collection invites workers to socialize and share ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. An eclectic assortment of chairs and benches creates an easygoing, appealing look.
Biophilia, anyone? Everyone knows that nature can have a dramatic impact on our outlook. Here, a living wall by our partner Sagegreenlife provides an uplifting backdrop to the slender-yet-sturdy Potrero415 Light, a standing-height member of the Potrero415 Table collection scheduled to hit the market this fall.
These opportunities for spontaneous human interaction encourage a sense of openness among colleagues, which creates the empathy and trust needed for success in a collaborative workplace. That’s why social, communal spaces have become increasingly valuable components of the innovative, forward-looking workplace.
For more ideas of how to design informal spaces that encourage social connection, see our Inspiration Gallery.
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