Simplicity is the word for office interior design<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It is interesting to note that most property
\nmanagement companies use modest office spaces compared to their
\nlessors or tenants. But there is a similarity in their interior
\ndesign -- simplicity.<\/p>\n
For example, the Tenant Association of Menara Imperium (PPMI),
\nwhich manages the skyscraper Menara Imperium a leading strata-
\ntitle office building in Kuningan, Jakarta uses a small office
\nspace in the parking lot area of the tower.<\/p>\n
PT Senayan Trikarya Sempana (STS), the owner and operator of
\nthe capital's most prominent shopping center Plaza Senayan, has a
\nvery modest \"shelter\" in the basement of the building.<\/p>\n
The office locations chosen by PPMI and STS are unlikely to be
\nchosen by other companies as an office is said to reflect the
\nimage and the financial soundness of a company.<\/p>\n
Yet, wherever an office is located, its interior design plays
\na significant role in creating the whole working environment. The
\ncurrent trend in office interior design is simplicity and many
\noffices are adopting the concept.<\/p>\n
Natalia A. Hatmarini, advertising and promotion manager of
\nSTS, said the simplicity concept applied in her office was more
\ndue to the nationality of the owners.<\/p>\n
\"STS is controlled by a Japanese company, so the office is
\ndesigned with a Japanese touch, which minimizes partitions. Each
\ntable is set face-to-face while the supervisor sits where he can
\nwatch every corner clearly.<\/p>\n
\"Conventionally, an office with a Japanese touch is modest,
\npractical, simple, straight, open and flat,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Panca Cahyo of PPMI said partitions had been removed from his
\noffice to improve the setting.<\/p>\n
\"Since the new concept was applied, employees have become more
\nfamiliar with each other. I think the impact is better,\" he said,
\nadding that there were 15 employees at the 150-square-meter
\noffice.<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, many offices at Menara Imperium and other
\noffice buildings in the capital's central business district (CBD)
\napply the simplicity concept. The concept is not only popular in
\noffices in CBD but also in offices outside this district.<\/p>\n
Robert Wilarso, the manager of a trading company whose office
\nis located in Sunter, North Jakarta, said the minimal-partition
\ndesign had been applied for sometime in his office.<\/p>\n
\"Other than that, my office has installed a special desk at
\nthe reception to make the receptionist more comfortable, while at
\nthe same time its attractive,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Natalia added that her office also used simple colors for
\nornaments and furniture.<\/p>\n
\"Nothing is fancy at my office except in my division as we
\nhave to experiment with new ideas in the advertising and
\npromotion department,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She said no or minimal partitions extended a great advantage
\nto the employees.<\/p>\n
\"We learn how to concentrate and focus on our work. We learn
\nhow not to be distracted when our colleagues speak on the phone
\nor talk loudly,\" Natalia said, adding that employees could also
\ntalk to each other without having to leave their desks.<\/p>\n
She said the concept of simplicity also created transparency
\namong the employees.<\/p>\n
\"However, it is disadvantageous to employees who like to
\nchat,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Image<\/p>\n
The managing director of an interior design consultancy PT
\nKuorum Deconesia, Duan Elnastio, said a simple design in offices
\nis more human and homely.<\/p>\n
\"Many office are now designed with far less partitions or
\npanels. This is to create more dynamism and interaction among the
\nemployees,\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, he said some departments should be separated.<\/p>\n
\"Finance and accounting departments, for instance, should be
\nseparated for security reasons, he said.<\/p>\n
He added that some companies select certain designs to reflect
\ntheir image.<\/p>\n
\"In most cases, this relates to the type of business the
\ncompany is in. For example, a trading company or a bank will
\nselect something with a conservative touch, an advertising agency
\nmay want something creative or unique, an IT company will require
\na high-tech visage, while a lawyer's office need to depict
\nprofessionalism,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said most of his clients now were very concerned of prices.<\/p>\n
\"They have no problems with local products as long as the
\nquality is above average. What is important for them is the
\nfinishing touches,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Imported products are usually used for the directors' and
\nconference rooms, he said.<\/p>\n
He said to portray a good image, most companies paid more
\nattention on their conference or meeting rooms, and the
\nreception.<\/p>\n
\"Many of my clients need the latest multimedia or audio visual
\nequipment for presentations, therefore the interior design of
\ntheir offices must match these. Meanwhile, some of them want to
\nhave the reception beautified with paintings or ornaments,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said most IT companies would order specially designed
\ntables, such as round tables, like those found in cafes, with an
\nelectrical or communications connection jack in the center.<\/p>\n
\"Because most IT executives are very mobile, they need to plug
\nand unplug their laptops fast and conveniently,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The simplicity trend, he said, would remain a favorite for a
\nlong time as it offered a more human touch, which consequently
\nencouraged more interaction among the staff.<\/p>\n
Stationary<\/p>\n
Rosse Hutapea, an executive of PT Datasrip, a private business
\nsolution provider, said that stationery and office equipment are
\nessential in facilitating productivity.<\/p>\n
\"There are two major sorts of stationery and office equipment,
\nthe IT and non-IT products. We have seen increasing sales in both
\nproducts despite the prolonged economic crisis,\" she said.<\/p>\n
In correlation with the expansion of the Internet and e-
\nbusiness, products related to the cyberworld are becoming more
\npopular, she added.<\/p>\n
\"There's been a higher demand for IT related products
\nincluding printers, digital cameras, scanners and multimedia
\nprojectors,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Stationery and office equipment suppliers will retain their
\nroles, and will closely mirror change in the business and
\ncommercial sector, she said. (I. Christianto)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/simplicity-is-the-word-for-office-interior-design-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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