Iron Mountain, a Boston-based world leader in information management, is building
an “Alternative Work Space” (AWS) to test revolutionary new concepts in how and where work
gets done. The designer, Workplaces of Winchester MA, has teamed up with Iron Mountain’s
Real Estate, IT, HR, and Marketing groups, to plan and implement a forward looking facility
that will inform significant real estate strategies for the company in the future.
This interdisciplinary team’s guiding principles for the project are:
Creating flexibility to adapt to the changing nature of work
Supporting productivity
Achieving maximum potential of corporate real estate.
At the outset, the user groups include a work force that already has some experience with
mobile, off-site work – who will call the AWS their ‘home base.’ Other users will be ‘travelers’
who could come from any of Iron Mountain’s global locations. The space will also support
groups within the company that are experiencing personnel growth in their current locations.
Flexibility
AWS’s users will be able to reserve different work spaces through an on-line system linked
to Iron Mountain’s facility management software. Not only will this insure that the workers will
be able to access the environment they need to do their work, the reporting generated by the
software will help Iron Mountain predict the kinds of spaces they need to provide at other sites.
“Hoteling” offices are suited for those whose work day consists of conference calls and a
certain measure of individual work. “Hot Desks” are touch-down spaces for collaborative
teams, or short term occupants. “Project Rooms” can be reserved for teams that need to work
together in one space for a period of time.
Non-reservable “Huddle Rooms” are provided for small, spontaneous private meetings,
and “Privacy” rooms allow individuals to discretely handle personal calls when needed. Since
spontaneous interactions frequently offer the best collaboration opportunities, the project also
has a variety of informal collaboration spaces.
Productivity
Tools and technology are being provided throughout the AWS to make it easier to work,
share information, and re-configure the environment quickly as a task or problem arises or
information needs to be distributed. Project Rooms vary in size, and have modular, flexible
furniture allowing “workshop” work styles or presentations. Most wall surfaces have tack-
able surfaces, magnetic whiteboards, or video conferencing. A unique portable electronic
whiteboard “reader/transmitter” will send a live image of whiteboard content as it’s being
created, and broadcast to individual computers throughout the space, or across the globe.
Everyone in the space is no more than a few steps from spots to meet spontaneously, whether
one-on-one or in a group. Ergonomics and worker comfort are considered key to productivity,
moving the mountain – with a new kind of work space_092010.doc
Moving The Mountain – with a new kind of Work Place
so adjustable height work surfaces adapt to different body types and even allow stand up work,
which experts acknowledge supports health and well being. Although the existing space has
few exterior windows, strategically placed skylights and internal glass walls create a light-filled
environment.
Maximum Potential
The AWS will capture underutilized real estate in Iron Mountain’s suburban Philadelphia
office building. This space would be difficult to configure in a conventional layout of offices,
workstation clusters, and conference rooms. However, careful planning for the AWS
maximizes the potential occupancy.
“We are able to achieve a remarkable 113 SF per person occupancy” says Jeff Mulliken of
Workplaces, “and that’s assuming each work space would be assigned to just one person.
With anticipated space sharing, we are looking at about 60 SF down to 30 SF per person. And,
we have incorporated more meeting and collaboration spaces than are found in conventional
office planning.” Other benefits from this planning are the small-scaled neighborhoods that
encourage team work, while reducing acoustical interference.
Iron Mountain has high aspirations for the AWS, and has designated significant resources to
the success of this project. “We understand the evolving nature of our work and our culture”
says Doug Berry of Iron Mountain, “and we also face Real Estate challenges as we grow. We
expect the AWS will guide us towards the workspace of the future.”
Jeff Mulliken, AIA, LEED AP, is the founder of Workplaces Inc, a multi-disciplinary design and
consulting firm that assists organizations in planning and implementing successful alternative
work environments.
www.workplacesinc.com
Douglas A. Berry, PE, is Director of Construction and Facilities for Iron Mountain in Boston MA.
http://www.ironmountain.com