Office of the Future in Adelaide

Tuesday 7th February 2012 1:29pm

SOFTWARE giant Microsoft has turned its attention to building the workplace of the future.

Its new Pirie St office has implemented an activity-based working environment intended to respond to the realities of the modern workplace, doing away with anachronisms such as individual desks, desk phones and all the clutter of a paper-based workplace.

Company employees instead now range across shared workstations, communal benchtops and lounges using laptops, mobiles and instant messaging systems as tools of the trade.

Microsoft state director Dean Swan said the open-plan office was part of a worldwide strategy that had shown improvements in employee productivity and satisfaction. The move also allowed the Adelaide office to use 40 per cent less space, still having room to add to its 14 staff.

"It's a showcase of what a future office will look like," Mr Swan said.

"We're attempting to create office spaces that are interesting and stimulating.

"There's a desire to want to work in an office like this."

Premier Jay Weatherill will today visit the office to speak about the need to create a vibrant work culture.

Source: The Adertiser 7 February 2012 by Julian Swallow