Space-Planning Standards Development

Al Keith & Associates is in a unique position to provide benchmarking and best-practices to clients for development of Space-Planning Standards due to our extensive experience in working with a large and varied number of corporate client's facilities' departments.  Thus, we work with clients in developing Space-Planning Standards that use industry standards and best-practices, but takes into account a client's unique corporate culture and work environment.

Our Space Standards are intended to be used as a guide to the client in obtaining the type of support and space-planning they need to enhance the business operations of their divisions. The standards help each division understand the “rules” of occupancy within their office facilities.  The Standards define the types of offices and workstations used to accommodate the office needs of the corporation. The Office Standards also correlate the types and sizes of offices and workstations with company-defined job positions/titles.

In addition to office and workstation sizes, the manufacturer and model of systems furniture that have been adopted by the client as the preferred choice are identified in the Standards. The establishment of furniture systems standards benefit the client by placing them in a stronger negotiating position with the furniture manufacturer at the time of furniture purchase.  Our clients also benefit the client by maintaining replacement and interchangeable components for the systems.  A pool of interchangeable and compatible parts assists in reducing costs and time during the implementation of moves, reconfigurations and expansions.

Typically, our Space Standards are developed with the following goals in mind:
  • To provide a decision-making tool for department heads on facility space-planning
  • To ensure equity and consistency in the provision of Office Space
  • Utilize current concepts such as universal workstation and a peripheral circulation plan
  • Address the needs of cross-functional and self-directed work teams, telecommuting, and shared space
  • Utilize existing furniture while having a plan for phasing-in new furniture
  • Cost-Effective
  • Provide new ideas about “officing”
  • An easy to use and understand guide
Our client's Space Standards development are based on the following equity factors:
  • Industry Benchmarking
  • Pay Grade/Level
  • Job Function
  • Length of Service (Tenure)
The basis for our standards are developed by evaluating other similar corporate office environments as our client's offices and corporate culture.  In addition, we conduct an evaluation of our client's existing furniture inventory in order to provide a space standard which may be applied immediately without purchasing new furniture. Therefore, the space standard contains two sections: (I) Existing Furniture and Space Layout Configuration; (II) New Furniture and Space Layout Configuration. The intent of these standards are for our clients to gradually migrate toward the Space Standard and Layouts for new and more simplified furniture systems as their budget allows.

Within each Pay Grade or Level category, there are typically several options which provide for increased office area.  The rationale for providing these options are three-fold:
  1. to provide flexibility in space-planning for our client's architects and designers;
  2. to provide for variances in functionality within a given pay level;
  3. to provide larger space options within a given pay level based on an employee’s years of service.

Examples:

   

Level 1-3 Clerical – Option “A”

1. WORKSURFACE - 1- 72” X 24”, 1-48” X 24”

2. OVERHEAD BOOKSHELF – 13” X 36”

3. OVERHEAD STORAGE BIN – 14” X 36”

4. Center Drawer – 15” x 19”

5. Box/Box/File – 15” x 23”

6. LATERAL FILE – 18” X 30”

7. SWIVEL TILT DESK CHAIR WITH ARMS

Level 1-3 Pro – Option “A”

1. WORKSURFACE – 2 - 60” X 24”

2. Corner Worksurface – 36/36/24/24

3. OVERHEAD STORAGE BIN – 14” X 60”

4. Keyboard Tray – 11” x 20”

5. Box/Box/File – 15” x 23”

6. Lateral File – 15” x 23”

7. SWIVEL TILT DESK CHAIR WITH ARMS

 

Level 6-7 – Option “B”

1 & 2. 66” x 36” SINGLE PEDESTAL DESK WITH 20” X 42” EXECUTIVE HEIGHT RETURN, CENTER DRAWER

3. 60” X 30” TABLE DESK

4. 60” X 20” FULL STORAGE CREDENZA

5. EXECUTIVE SWIVEL TILT DESK CHAIR WITH ARMS

6.GUEST CHAIRS WITH ARMS, WOOD FRAME

 

Level 4-5 – Option “A”

1. WORKSURFACE - 2- 60” X 24”

2. ISLAND WORKSURFACE – 30” x 60”

3. OVERHEAD STORAGE BIN – 2 - 14” X 60”

4. Lateral File – 15” x 23”

5. Box/Box/File – 15” x 23”

6. SWIVEL TILT DESK CHAIR WITH ARMS