Activity Based Working for HDRs : An Experiment in Community Amelia Anderberg, Manager, Space Management UTS John Holm, SocioDesign
“It's a great facility - really good to feel one has a 'place' on campus” “I can work without feeling isolated. Its great to see familiar faces and share information.” “It's a great space. I only wish that it had been there for my whole candidature!”
About UTS • Sydney CBD fringe • Student Load: 30,000 EFTSL • Staff numbers: 3,400 FTE
The Campus • Square metres: 370,000m2 GFA • Just completing $1.3B building program
The Campus Source: TEFMA Benchmarking Survey 2015
Context of Activity Based Working & Space Managem ent Quality of HDR experience • Increasing HDRs numbers • Fit for purpose space for HDRs • Consolidation to City Campus • Sense of being valued by UTS • Better churn management • Improve sense of community
Activity Based Working Activity Based Working Traditional Working 1 HDR : Many desks 1 HDR : 1 Desk Shared Computers Y o D B + Capability for Desktop Bring Your Own Device Activity Zones Dedicated Individual Work Zones Resources Dedicated Resources Quiet Research Drop-In Interactive & Reflective Work Zones Lounge Collaboration Presentation Services Mobile x length of Laptop Mobile Desktop computer, Storage shelving Space Storage Desk & Chair Printing Fridge Kettle Sink Microwave Storage 7
Activity Based Working 8
ABW Concept Design Process Consultation Functional Concept Revised staff & Brief Design Design students
Developing the Brief Task identification Space identification • • Establish the topic: Discourse: discourse & reflection Open informal meeting & Breakout lounge space • Review the literature: • organising & reading Reflection/ Analysis: Workstation & Quiet Room • Developing m ethodology: • discourse & reflection Reading: Workstation & Quiet Room, • Gathering data: Breakout lounge space externally focused • Organising: • Analysis and reflection: Workstation discourse, organising & reflection • W riting: • W riting up: Workstation & Quiet Room writing & reflection.
ABW Concept Design
User Consultation
ABW Concept Design No. of No. of Units No. of Units People (Briefed) (Design) Type of Space 308 p Workstation 120 78 Individual Pods 38 Group Pods 5 Write Up / Quiet Room (up to 2p) 18 18 Open informal meeting seats (1p) 25 44 Breakout lounge seats (1p) 31 24 Utility 2 1 Tea / Coffee Point 1 1 Storage 154 308 Total Area (m2) 903
Induction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWW_QC3biVc
What do the HDRs think of their workspace?
What they say “what's not to like...it's a “I dislike that the space can be fabulous space...we are very seen so openly from the outside. fortunate (don't take it It would be better if there was away!)” some frosting on the big windows.” “No safe storage to provide “It's quiet so I can ability to work in space. My concentrate. The chairs are research materials cannot be comfortable and I don't get brought on site safely so the back pain.” space is useless to me” “The modern, comfortable “Lack of natural light and furniture. ABW philosophy. atmosphere of a high tech Natural light.” factory.”
POE Conclusions It is an appropriate place for Occupancy not as high as we’d HDRs to work planned/ hoped It does provided a ‘home’ for Noise issues (probably related HDRs to low occupancy) It is helping create a sense of Not all students understand HDR community how to use the space (possibly an ‘induction’ issue) The usual teething issues about technology Too cold!
POE Approach • Student Online Survey – 50 responses (25% response rate) • Observation study • People Counter Data Which Faculty are you from? Faculty of Health Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences 0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%
When do you use the workspace?
What do you do in the workspace?
How long do you usually stay? Approximately how long do you usually stay in the Level 3 HDR Space? More than 6 hours Between 4 to 6 hours Between 2 to 4 hours Between 1 to 2 hours Less than 1 hour 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0%
What spaces/zones do you use?
Are you able to find a somewhere sit?
How many of the settings/places do you use?
What do you like? “The cubicles and the lockers • the “quiet” of the space. are excellent, and I love the • the aesthetics kitchen as well - it's really • the range of spaces available good to keep your things and have your study space ready to them for working to go.” • the quality of the furniture (chairs that made working in “I actually like the quiet pods this space very comfortable) and the quiet office spaces. • the kitchen They are really great when you need to get away and get work done.”
What do you dislike? “Generally, the facility is good • the lack of other occupants - but just feel weird as every the space sometimes felt lonely time when I go there, there and some students feel isolated are only few people around. • the noise others make in the It would be nice if there is a space – paradoxically the space way to attract more students was too quiet in that any noise to study here - like the was clearly audible and was library” distracting • teething issues such as phones “It is too cold. The air conditioning needs to be and monitors not working moderated” • the age old problem of some people feeling cold.
What do you dislike? “I would rather have a fixed work stations. The pods and quiet rooms could be on the same standard as now but a permanent work stations would allow us keep our books and stuff there.” “We need our own desks with PC/macs provided and storage. It's impossible to write a PhD without your own space. Everyone just uses the same desk anyway. We need designated and dedicated workspace. Read any research about university space and study, or any book on advice about how to do research, and it will say this.”
What do you want that’s missing? • Vending machine • Yoga mats • Milk in the fridge • Plants • Background music • More lounge chairs
Next Steps 30
Kitchenette/social space
Workstations
Individual pods
Quiet Rooms
Small group collaborative
Large group collaborative
Storage
Recommend
More recommend
