HOW OFFICE SPACES HAVE CHANGED OVER 50 YEARS

We’ve come a long way in the past 50 years. For some of us reading this article, we weren’t even alive during that time. The 70’s were filled with monumental moments that changed the way we live and the way we work. Larger offices were packed and air-tight, with cheap, thin sheet metal & cloth cubicles as commercial office furniture in workspaces. Phones constantly buzzed off the charts, employees were frantically disorganized and just trying to survive. The hustle and bustle was reaching an all time high to say the least. But why?

It all boils down to efficiency. Offices in the 70’s were designed extremely inefficiently. The focus wasn’t on the workspace, but instead on the work. In retrospect the work that needed to be done was far more important to companies and individuals than the efficiency of the office space. Let’s take a look at what offices in the 70’s were like! 

As you can see, there was little thought given to the design and function of the workspace. Lines and lines of small metal desks filled the warehouses. There was no division between any desks, therefore removing all privacy one would need.

In this space, there are walls that separate individuals from one another however the walls are so short that they are almost meaningless in terms of privacy. The cubicles are made entirely of cheap sheet metal, giving them zero sense of design. 

Here’s an example of someone’s private office in the mid 70’s. What sticks out most immediately are the classic black tin metal cabinets behind the desk. Unfortunately, these cabinets still exist today, so we’ve likely all had experience with them. They are loud, clunky, and constantly squealing or breaking. The single desk is extremely small, so there’s an abundance of clutter. Like the cabinets, the desk is also made from metal, so it is just as loud and uncomfortable as the metal cabinets.

Now let’s take a look at the year 2020…. Specifically, Iron Age Office.

We opened up the office space, filling it with a workspace that could also easily be considered art. The tall steel walls allow for privacy and a place to hang your calendar/to do list. All the table tops are made of 1.75” thick maple wood, giving the entire product a sense of strength and stability. 

After looking at a private office from the 70’s, you’d probably be okay living full time in this modern set up. We took every functional part of an office and applied our sense of design. Our storage products are made of thick steel and maple wood, and the perforated sheet adds that extra oomf. Not only does it look beautiful, but it’s also entirely more functional than a standard metal cabinet. The L-Shape desk provides ample space to organize any extra clutter. commercial office furniture

All in all, office design has come a long way in 50 years. Companies care more than ever about not just the work being done, but the space in which the work is done too. With increased efficiency of your office space, comes increased return of investment! Reach out to us today to see what amazing things we can do for you and your office.