Mobile floorplans surged in popularity during the pandemic. Businesses are opting for flexible designs, which allow employees to quickly rearrange office spaces with minimal effort.
Long ago, hotels and conference centers adopted mobile floorplans as a means of maximizing revenue. Staff can transform large interior spaces, like a ballroom, to host an education conference one day. The next day, it might be a trade show. The next day, a wedding. Each event needs a different configuration, but the room itself doesn’t change.
Offices, too, can better utilize their large interior spaces with a mobile floorplan. The key? Wheels.
OFDC Commercial Interiors offers an extensive selection of desks, chairs and conference tables with wheels. No setup or takedown crews are necessary. It often takes just a minute or two to rearrange a room.
OFDC identified mobile floorplans as one of five office design and furniture trends that are redefining the workplace in 2021.
Effective workspace planning requires more time and expertise than many business leaders realize. There are literally dozens of configurations for conference rooms. Popular setups include:
- Theater-style: Rows of chairs facing forward, similar to a place of worship or performance hall.
- Classroom-style: Rows of chairs and tables facing forward.
- Boardroom-style: Large rectangular or square table surrounded by chairs.
- Pod-style: Multiple tables surrounded by chairs, similar to banquet or restaurant seating.
OFDC employs a team of experienced reconfiguration and design specialists who assess workspace needs for large companies and small businesses. These five factors are important when establishing a mobile floorplan for a conference room:
Square footage
How large is the conference room? Precise dimensions are critically important. Total square footage tells part of the story, but measurements must include length, width and even ceiling height. Trapezoids and other oddly shaped rooms present limitations on configurations.
Headcount
How many people are expected in the conference room at any given time? CDC guidelines for social distancing likely won’t vanish anytime soon, so proper spacing is a must. Face-to-face seating arrangements can potentially cause apprehension or uneasiness, so side-by-side or back-to-back are good options.
Presenter’s preference
Will one person be presenting, or will it be a collaborative discussion? Some presenters like to stand behind a podium while others like to walk and talk, thus needing additional open space. If there are multiple individuals slated to speak, a boardroom-style setup might be more appropriate.
Whiteboards
Are dry erase boards built onto walls or portable? Portable whiteboards or flipchart easels require additional space. Seats must be arranged so attendees have unobstructed views of the charts.
Technology
Is a TV or projector required? Attendees need an unobstructed view of the screen and don’t want to turn around multiple times to watch a video or see a PowerPoint. In today’s Zoom world, a camera setup and centrally located audio also are important. Another factor in room configurations is the location of power connections.
OFDC has helped hundreds of Southwest Florida businesses create mobile floorplans specifically for their company. Interested in creating a mobile floorplan at your office? Complete our online Complimentary Consultation form to learn more.
