Workplace Culture and Office Design職場文化與辦公空間設計

It’s easy to write a mission statement. It’s even easier to create a set of brand values. Many businesses do this every day and call it a “workplace culture”. But what good is a value system if there isn’t anything in place to enact1 it？ That’s where effective design can help.

起草一份企業使命宣言很容易，創建一套品牌價值觀更容易。很多公司每天都在這么做，并稱之為“職場文化”。但如果沒有具體的執行方案，這個價值體系又有什么意義呢？對此，有效的設計可助一臂之力。

Design plays a pivotal2 role in shaping workplace culture by creating physical environments that reflect and reinforce organisational values and goals. Thoughtfully designed office spaces can facilitate communication， encourage collaboration， and inspire creativity， ultimately enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction. By incorporating design elements that prioritise comfort， flexibility， and wellness， businesses can cultivate a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture that drives success.

辦公空間設計可營造反映并強化企業價值觀和發展目標的物理環境，由此在職場文化構建中扮演著核心角色。精心規劃的辦公空間能夠促進交流、促成協作并激發創造力，最終提升員工的參與度和滿意度。通過融入舒適、靈活和健康理念的設計元素，企業能夠構建充滿活力且具有包容性的職場文化，從而推動企業走向成功。

Improve workplace culture through design

通過設計改善職場文化

Open and collaborative spaces

開放式協作空間

Open-plan layouts and communal3 areas promote spontaneous interactions and facilitate a culture of collaboration across teams. Through flexible furniture arrangements and breakout zones， individuals are encouraged to share ideas no matter their rank or hierarchy4.

開放式布局與區域共享的設計可以促進自發的互動交流，有助于形成跨團隊協作的文化氛圍。通過靈活安置辦公家具與設置休息區，鼓勵每個人——無論職級高低——暢所欲言。

Outside of facilitating easier communication， open-plan offices are more cost-effective to run. Fewer private spaces mean that other commodities （e.g. lighting and plumbing） do not need to run throughout the entire fitout5.

開放式辦公空間不僅能讓溝通更便捷，還能降低運營成本。由于減少了獨立隔間，配套設施（如照明和管道）的覆蓋需求也隨之降低。

Add a splash of colour

色彩點綴

Another thing to consider when designing an office space for a better work mentality is colour. Colour can have a huge impact on how we work and how we feel， impacting us on an almost subconscious level. It’s the reason why so many companies use blue as a way to instil brand trust. When designing an office， consider how your team works. Are they talkative？ Introspective6？ Focused？ Experiment with colour psychology in different parts of your office and observe how your team interacts in these spaces.

在設計辦公空間以改善工作心態時，色彩是需要考量的另一關鍵要素。顏色會對員工的工作方式和情緒狀態產生潛移默化的巨大影響——這正是許多企業選擇藍色建立品牌信任感的原因。設計辦公空間時須考慮團隊的工作特點：成員們樂于集體討論、獨自思考還是專注執行？可以根據色彩心理學在不同的辦公區域嘗試不同的方案，觀察團隊在這些區域的互動情況。

Purpose built rooms amp; spaces

專用工作室和功能空間

A new way of looking at the workplace is “activity-based” working， which has seen a lot of growth over recent years. Instead of individuals having their own set space to work in， different tasks are done in different areas. This could be a design room， a room for writing， a room for conversation， and a room for meetings. The opportunities are endless and can be customised to suit your business.

近年來，一種新的理念發展迅猛，即把辦公場所看作“基于活動”的移動空間。不再是個人擁有固定工位，而是不同的工作任務在不同的辦公區完成，比如設計室、撰文室、談話室和會議室等。功能區劃分有無限可能，可以針對企業業務進行個性化定制。

Although this is a great way of working it isn’t necessarily for everyone. Consultancies， graphic design companies and software houses could all benefit from this style of working as it allows groups of people working on similar parts of a project to use the same space which will， in turn， act to influence each other’s work for the better. If you do consider this style of work then it has to be a decision based on boosting productivity and not through popularity.

雖然這種辦公模式頗具優勢，但未必適合所有企業。能夠從這種模式受益的是咨詢公司、平面設計公司和軟件開發公司等，因為同一個項目中承擔類似任務的成員可以共享空間，進而對彼此產生有益的影響。企業若真的考慮這種辦公模式，決策應當基于是否能夠提高生產效率，而非盲目追隨潮流。

Consider aesthetics

美學考量

Fitout design choices may seem inconsequential7 to some. But when the right choices are made it can have a significant， measurable effect on the productivity， attitude and general morale of your office. An unconventionally shaped desk， a set of desks in a circle or an office pod all convey a different subtext around the type of work that is performed in the space. Natural or natural-like lighting also impacts feelings and emotions. Just like a spa or a nice hotel being in a beautifully designed space can put you in a positive mood， resulting in increased productivity throughout the day.

某些人可能認為選擇什么樣的辦公空間設計無關緊要。但是，恰當的選擇能顯著提升員工的工作效率、工作態度及整體士氣。造型別致的辦公桌、環形排列的工位或獨立辦公艙，都在無聲傳遞著該空間所承載的工作屬性。自然光或類自然光照明也會影響員工的感受和情緒。就像在水療中心或優質酒店一樣，置身設計精美的職場空間能讓人心情愉悅，從而提升全天的工作效率。

The more thought and planning that goes into an office fitout， the better the office culture will be. Of course， you’re running an office not an art gallery， but that doesn’t mean that aesthetics shouldn’t be a large part of your consideration and planning. When it comes to office fitouts， there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all design. There will be many factors that affect the overall layout of the office. Managerial style， type of office， culture and many other factors will have an impact. The best way of looking at it is to manipulate8 your office to suit you and your colleagues.

辦公空間設計構思和規劃的投入程度與辦公文化品質呈正相關。雖然辦公場所不同于藝術展館，但美學價值也應成為設計規劃的核心要素之一。辦公空間設計不存在通用方案。影響整體空間布局的因素有很多——如管理風格、業務類型、企業文化等。最佳的方式是以員工實際工作需求為出發點，量身定制辦公環境。

Prioritise team wellness through homely design

健康導向的家居化設計

Working from home during the pandemic gave many a sense of convenience. For that reason， some companies are renovating their offices with more home-like elements. It’s not just an office， but a living space as well.

疫情期間，許多人體驗到居家辦公的便利性。因此，在改造辦公空間時，有些企業開始融入更多的家居元素。這里不僅是辦公場所，還是生活空間。

Some home features include showers （for those who may exercise before work）， kitchenettes， bean bags9， and other comfortable furniture. Kitchens are transformed into comfortable lounge areas promoting socialisation and stress relief during break times. Some larger office fitouts are now starting to include dedicated spaces for mindfulness and meditation.

家居元素可以包含淋浴設施（為工作前有鍛煉習慣的員工提供便利）、小型廚房、懶人沙發等舒適家具。廚房可以改造成舒適休息區，方便員工在休息時間交流互動、緩解壓力。目前，有些大型辦公室改造項目開始引入靜心冥想的專屬空間。

Plants and greenery can reduce stress and improve mood. Strategic placement of low-maintenance plants can also instil a culture of positivity and optimism in the workplace.

綠植景觀可以減輕壓力，改善情緒。在辦公環境中巧妙布置一些易于打理的植物，也可以營造積極樂觀的辦公文化氛圍。

Branding and identity

品牌建設與形象塑造

Infuse office design with elements of corporate branding and identity to reinforce organisational values and foster a sense of belonging among employees. Use branded signage， artwork， and colour schemes to create a cohesive and visually engaging environment that reflects the company’s ethos.

將企業品牌與形象元素融入辦公空間設計，既能強化企業價值觀，又能培養員工歸屬感。通過品牌標識、藝術品和主題配色，打造一個有凝聚力且視覺上引人入勝的辦公環境，體現企業的精神內涵。

Break rooms and game rooms are just as important as productivity spaces when it comes to maintaining morale， positivity， and ultimately happy employees. Employees are encouraged to take breaks and socialise with co-workers， which in turn increases satisfaction and productivity.

在保持士氣、積極性乃至員工愉悅心情方面，休息室和活動室的重要性不亞于工作區。企業要鼓勵員工適當休息、相互交流，這能提升其工作滿意度與工作效率。

Allow room for personalisation

個性化空間打造

Employees who have creative control over their office environment are 32% more productive. They’re also happier and healthier.

賦予員工對辦公環境的自主創意權，其工作效率可提升32%。這樣的員工也會更快樂和更健康。

Office personalisation instils a sense of ownership and belonging， fostering motivation. Encourage employees to bring personal items like family photos， travel mementos， quirky10 desk accessories， or plants to create a homely atmosphere at their desks. In open office plans， offer options like dividers or screens for those seeking more privacy.

辦公空間的個性化設計能培養員工的主人翁意識和歸屬感，從而激發他們的工作積極性。鼓勵員工在工位擺放家庭照片、旅行紀念品、趣味裝飾品或綠植等私人物品，營造溫馨如家的氛圍。在開放式辦公布局中，要為注重隱私的員工提供隔斷或屏風等選擇。

When employees make their workspaces unique to them， it becomes a reflection of their identity， contributing to overall workplace happiness. By acknowledging and supporting individuality， businesses can enhance employee engagement and well-being.

當員工將其工位裝飾成一個獨特空間時，工位便成為其個性身份的映射，有助于提升整體職場幸福感。通過認可并支持這種個性化表達，企業能夠提高員工的敬業度和滿足感。

Design around who you are

按團隊定位設計

Company culture comes in many forms. Whatever culture your team imbues， you should design your collaboration spaces to reflect this overall ethos.

企業文化形態多樣。無論團隊所秉持的是何種文化理念，都應讓辦公協作空間的設計反映整體的文化精神。

For example， a team with an adhocracy11 culture will thrive well in spaces that promote experimentation. They are creators and require tools to record all of their many abstract ideas. Designing with this in mind， a simple whiteboard won’t do. You may need to bring in bigger elements （e.g. a whiteboard wall） along with relaxing furniture to promote creative brainstorming.

例如，崇尚靈活文化的團隊在鼓勵實驗探索的空間中會更具活力。這樣的團隊創意滿滿，需要配備工具來記錄所有的抽象想法。基于這樣的需求，普通白板已不能滿足——可能需要配置更大型的設備（比如白板墻），并搭配休閑家具，為創意頭腦風暴營造自由舒展的環境。

Remember that you don’t need to follow what’s trending. Design your office fitout around how your team likes to work and collaborate， not the other way around.

切記：辦公空間設計無需追逐時尚。按照團隊喜歡的辦公與協作方式設計辦公環境，而非讓人去適應環境。

（譯者為“《英語世界》杯”翻譯大賽獲獎者）

1 enact使落實，付諸實際。" 2 pivotal核心的，關鍵性的。" 3 communal共有的，共用的。

4 hierarchy等級制度。" 5 fitout裝修設計。" 6 introspective內省的。

7 inconsequential無關緊要的，微不足道的。

8 manipulate操縱，巧妙處理。" 9 bean bag懶人沙發。

10 quirky奇特的，有趣味的。" 11 adhocracy靈活自主的組織結構。