New Ways of Working Network

How can the physical design of the workplace enhance collaborations without compromising an individual’s
productivity? The body of research on the links between physical space and collaboration in knowledge work settings
is reviewed. Collaboration is viewed as a system of behaviours that includes both social and solitary work. The social
aspects of collaboration are discussed in terms of three dimensions: awareness, brief interaction and collaboration
(working together). Current knowledge on the links between space and the social as well as individual aspects of
collaborative work is reviewed. The central conflict of collaboration is considered: how to design effectively to
provide a balance between the need to interact and the need to work effectively by oneself. The body of literature
shows that features and attributes of space can be manipulated to increase awareness, interaction and collaboration.
However, doing so frequently has negative impacts on individual work as a result of increases in noise distractions
and interruptions to on-going work. The effects are most harmful for individual tasks requiring complex and focused
mental work. The negative effects are compounded by a workplace that increasingly suffers from cognitive overload
brought on by time stress, increased workload and multitasking.
Keywords: cognitive overload, collaboration, evidence-based design, individual effectiveness, interaction, knowledge
work, office awareness, workplace awareness, workplace design