Open Office Planning at the UN Gigiri Complex: Proposal for an Improved Working Culture

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Open Office Planning at the UN Gigiri
ComplexProposal for an Improved Working Culture
UNON\ODAS\SSS\FMTS\ Building Management Transpo
rtation Unit

• April 2004 (Updated July 2005)

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Presentation Overview

• Driving Factors for Proposal
• Basic Design Principles
• Cultural and Social Impact
• Prototypical Designs for Gigiri Complex
• Revision to Space Norms
• Impact on Complex Overall
• Implementation
• Q A

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Driving Factors for Proposal

• November 2003 Office Space Utilization Review
  Complex short of space by 4
  
• Gigiri agencies growing quickly and
  unpredictably
  
• Agencies located outside of Gigiri should be
  moved in to create UN House per SG policy
  
• New office building will not be completed until
  2007/8 funding contingent upon efficient use of
  existing space
  

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Basic Design Principles of Open Office Space
Planning
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• Design Principles
• Collaboration
• Openness/Transparency
• Collegiality/Cultural Personality
• Free Scheduling of Work
• Variety of Space Typologies
• Flexibility
• Access to Natural Ventilation, Light and
  Views
  
• Healthy Acoustic and Visual Activity
• Use of Technology

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• Design Challenges
• Possible negative impact of loss of visual
  privacy
  
• Possible negative impact of loss of acoustic
  privacy
  
• Decreased individual control over air climate
  and light levels
  
• Security concerns
• Overall circulation on complex

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Cultural and Social Impactof Open Office Space
Planning
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• Cultural and Social Impact
• Flattened Organizational Model
• Foster Creative Thought and Innovation
• Improve Quality of Information Exchanges
• Healthy Social Environment Healthy Work
  Environment
  
• Peer Pressure Leads to Increased Productivity

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Prototypical Designs for Gigiri Complex

• Existing Conditions (Typical)
• 31 total staff
• 19 sm/person efficiency

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Prototypical Designs for Gigiri Complex

• UNON Office of the Director of Administration
  (ODAS)
  
• V Block, Floor 2
• 23 total staff
• 13 sm/person, 40 efficiency increase

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Prototypical Designs for Gigiri Complex

• UN-HABITAT SP-4
• M Block, Ground Floor
• 22 total staff
• 13.6 sm/person, 40 efficiency increase

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Prototypical Designs for Gigiri Complex

• UNDP Office of the Resident Coordinator
• Q Block, Floor 2
• 49 total staff
• 12.2 sm/person, 50 efficiency increase

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• Prototypical Designs for UN Gigiri Complex
• Axonometric View

Overview of Major Construction Projects
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• Prototypical Designs for UN Gigiri Complex

Before
After
UNDP, Office of the Resident Coordinator
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• Prototypical Designs for UN Gigiri Complex

Overall View Open lounge area in foreground
Open break-out area
UNDP, Office of the Resident Coordinator
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• Prototypical Designs for UN Gigiri Complex

Seated Privacy height privacy panels
Utilizing filing cabinets as privacy dividers
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• Prototypical Designs for UN Gigiri Complex

Interior view of glass corridor
Glass corridor to maximize use of natural light
and operational transparency
Detail view of integrated adjustable blinds
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Revised Space Norms

• Existing Norms

Revised Norms
Per the Information Circular on the Management
of the UN Gigiri Complex issued by the
Director-General, UNON in March 2005.
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Proposed Departmental Space Norms

Overall guideline/target is 45 staff per 600 sm
floor, or 13-14 square meter per staff member.
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Impact on Complex Overall
Circulation Diagram
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Implementation

• A dedicated FMTS\BMTU team will work with
  individual unit heads to
  
• Study work process, work flow patterns, highlight
  key relationships, etc. to develop an improved
  working space plan.
  
• Facilitate the construction process.
• Make recommendations on purchase of new
  furniture.
  
• Conduct information sessions with senior managers
  and staff.
  
• Facilitate moves, including necessary swing
  space.
  

Pilot project was completed in U-Block, ground
floor in January 2005. Project has begun overall
roll-out as of July 2005.
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Q A