Simplicity is the word for office interior design

JAKARTA (JP): It is interesting to note that most property management companies use modest office spaces compared to their lessors or tenants. But there is a similarity in their interior design -- simplicity.

For example, the Tenant Association of Menara Imperium (PPMI), which manages the skyscraper Menara Imperium a leading strata- title office building in Kuningan, Jakarta uses a small office space in the parking lot area of the tower.

PT Senayan Trikarya Sempana (STS), the owner and operator of the capital's most prominent shopping center Plaza Senayan, has a very modest "shelter" in the basement of the building.

The office locations chosen by PPMI and STS are unlikely to be chosen by other companies as an office is said to reflect the image and the financial soundness of a company.

Yet, wherever an office is located, its interior design plays a significant role in creating the whole working environment. The current trend in office interior design is simplicity and many offices are adopting the concept.

Natalia A. Hatmarini, advertising and promotion manager of STS, said the simplicity concept applied in her office was more due to the nationality of the owners.

"STS is controlled by a Japanese company, so the office is designed with a Japanese touch, which minimizes partitions. Each table is set face-to-face while the supervisor sits where he can watch every corner clearly.

"Conventionally, an office with a Japanese touch is modest, practical, simple, straight, open and flat," she said.

Panca Cahyo of PPMI said partitions had been removed from his office to improve the setting.

"Since the new concept was applied, employees have become more familiar with each other. I think the impact is better," he said, adding that there were 15 employees at the 150-square-meter office.

As a matter of fact, many offices at Menara Imperium and other office buildings in the capital's central business district (CBD) apply the simplicity concept. The concept is not only popular in offices in CBD but also in offices outside this district.

Robert Wilarso, the manager of a trading company whose office is located in Sunter, North Jakarta, said the minimal-partition design had been applied for sometime in his office.

"Other than that, my office has installed a special desk at the reception to make the receptionist more comfortable, while at the same time its attractive," he said.

Natalia added that her office also used simple colors for ornaments and furniture.

"Nothing is fancy at my office except in my division as we have to experiment with new ideas in the advertising and promotion department," she said.

She said no or minimal partitions extended a great advantage to the employees.

"We learn how to concentrate and focus on our work. We learn how not to be distracted when our colleagues speak on the phone or talk loudly," Natalia said, adding that employees could also talk to each other without having to leave their desks.

She said the concept of simplicity also created transparency among the employees.

"However, it is disadvantageous to employees who like to chat," she said.

Image

The managing director of an interior design consultancy PT Kuorum Deconesia, Duan Elnastio, said a simple design in offices is more human and homely.

"Many office are now designed with far less partitions or panels. This is to create more dynamism and interaction among the employees," he said.

However, he said some departments should be separated.

"Finance and accounting departments, for instance, should be separated for security reasons, he said.

He added that some companies select certain designs to reflect their image.

"In most cases, this relates to the type of business the company is in. For example, a trading company or a bank will select something with a conservative touch, an advertising agency may want something creative or unique, an IT company will require a high-tech visage, while a lawyer's office need to depict professionalism," he said.

He said most of his clients now were very concerned of prices.

"They have no problems with local products as long as the quality is above average. What is important for them is the finishing touches," he said.

Imported products are usually used for the directors' and conference rooms, he said.

He said to portray a good image, most companies paid more attention on their conference or meeting rooms, and the reception.

"Many of my clients need the latest multimedia or audio visual equipment for presentations, therefore the interior design of their offices must match these. Meanwhile, some of them want to have the reception beautified with paintings or ornaments," he said.

He said most IT companies would order specially designed tables, such as round tables, like those found in cafes, with an electrical or communications connection jack in the center.

"Because most IT executives are very mobile, they need to plug and unplug their laptops fast and conveniently," he said.

The simplicity trend, he said, would remain a favorite for a long time as it offered a more human touch, which consequently encouraged more interaction among the staff.

Stationary

Rosse Hutapea, an executive of PT Datasrip, a private business solution provider, said that stationery and office equipment are essential in facilitating productivity.

"There are two major sorts of stationery and office equipment, the IT and non-IT products. We have seen increasing sales in both products despite the prolonged economic crisis," she said.

In correlation with the expansion of the Internet and e- business, products related to the cyberworld are becoming more popular, she added.

"There's been a higher demand for IT related products including printers, digital cameras, scanners and multimedia projectors," she said.

Stationery and office equipment suppliers will retain their roles, and will closely mirror change in the business and commercial sector, she said. (I. Christianto)