Room & Board Business Interiors Exclusive

ADF Interview with Nicole Gaynor, Market Manager, Room & Board Business Interiors

Atlanta Design Festival: How is Room & Board‘s workplace furniture line different from what you offer for residential design? Or is it similar?

Nicole Gaynor: Room & Board’s curated commercial offer is made up of select pieces chosen from our existing residential offer – pieces that we know live up to the rigors of commercial applications. While most items have been tested to meet BIFMA requirements, all are backed by our 5 or 10 year warranty.  

ADF: Is the evolution of the open office space changing?

NG: Yes, we believe that the way businesses are approaching the open office concept seems to be evolving. While the attraction to the idea of the open office to foster communication and collaboration hasn’t changed, many companies have found that this is harder to achieve than originally thought. We are seeing more design with individual workers in mind. More private spaces are being included within open offices: like the new phone booths for employees to make private calls, smaller conference rooms for one-on-one conversations, or designated collaborative spaces for small teams to work together on projects. The open office space isn’t for everyone, so understanding how different teams work is an important element to determining success.

ADF: What do you think are key components in generating employee satisfaction within the office?

NG: A large factor in employee satisfaction that we’ve seen is whether or not employees are included in the decision making process. From the ability to weigh in prior to design being finalized, to allowing final selection of office chairs, finishes, etc. Also, design that includes flexible workspaces for employees to leverage throughout the day. More spaces with natural lighting and greenery. If a workplace can deliver on comfort and provide an environment that feels relaxed, they will hopefully encourage more satisfaction.

ADF: What do you see in the future as the next iteration of the workplace?

NG: Wellness is an important topic in the workplace right now for good reason. Companies are looking for ways to attract and retain talent, and one thing that most employees are looking for is balance. I think we will see more companies who will begin to provide more amenities like fitness centers, wellness rooms and spaces for staff member to take a break and refocus. This all speaks to design with the employee at the center, which means a continued focus on the “resimercial workspace”. From lounge spaces that allow someone to step away from their desk and take a fresh approach to complete work on their laptops, to fully designed kitchen areas where employees can chat with coworkers while they grab a coffee or snack, these are all environments that support what we need as people: connection, inspiration, energy and flexibility to work the way we want.

Room & Board Atlanta
Westside Provisions District
1170 Howell Mill Road NW
Atlanta, GA 30318

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