CHANGE IS GOOD........COPING

Changing Places? Coping With Current Business Uncertainty.

By Ann Clarke

If there's one thing businesses don't like, it's uncertainty. Even those that are undergoing profound changes themselves like to do their growing and changing in a relatively predictable environment. Their planning depends on it.
Which is why the current uncertainty over whether we are entering a recession or not is inherently a bad thing, regardless of the real basis for any fears of a downturn. Some have even argued that the economists and writers who habitually raise the spectre of economic cycles may actually be causing them. A perfect self-fulfilling prophecy.
Whatever its causes, the current level of uncertainty means that firms are understandably cautious, if not exactly jittery. The important thing is to never let this caution turn into paralysis. The potentially fatal consequences of treading water should always outweigh anxieties about what is yet to pass. Business decisions about growth, new product development and change should never be obstructed by fear of an uncertain future.
As a business we are used to managing change with clients. As a result, one of the things we know for certain is that when it comes to growing or changing their businesses, there is a tendency for organisations to see a move to purpose-built new offices as being a better option than improving their current workplace or refurbishing other existing space. All too often this is because they assume that they can't deal with change in an old building, be it a need to implement new technology or accommodate business growth. But they are often asking the wrong question. Instead of 'where do we go from here?' they should really ask 'should we stay or should we go?'
In most cases, both the stay option or go option can be backed up by a strong business case. This is invariably based on a wide range of factors - from the economic to the personal - each of which may have a considerable impact on the organisation. Only after careful consideration of these factors does it then become possible to make the right decision.
We need to challenge the notion that modern buildings must be better able than older buildings to meet the needs of a modern organisation. Often they are, but in many cases, older buildings can prove to be a better option.
For example, buildings that predate the widespread use of electric lighting and airconditioning may have better lighting and ventilation. They may also be more flexible in use. Modern buildings often have large floorplates, embedded services and low floor to ceiling heights which can limit their use. Older buildings are unlikely to have the same limitations so may actually be better suited to the needs of contemporary organisations.
In his book How Buildings Learn, author Stewart Brand outlines the process whereby buildings evolve over time to meet the changing needs of their occupants. He shows that intelligent renovation is just as effective and important as new design. Brand looks at the building as consisting of six layers, each of which functions on a different timescale. These range from the site itself which has a life cycle measured in centuries, through to the building (decades), interior fit out (years), technology (months), to stuff (days). An effective refurbishment or fit-out will depend on how well it resolves the tensions that exist between these different elements.
With careful planning, a focus on the organisation's strategic objectives and a multi-disciplinary approach even century-old buildings can become outstanding contemporary workplaces that can meet current needs and be flexible enough to respond to future demands. More importantly, they can even offer advantages over purpose-built new buildings in terms of cost, culture, adaptability and company image. Regardless of any ephemeral shifts in the economy, be they good or bad, firms must always build flexibility into their operations and their buildings to help them to develop on their own terms.


Ann Clarke is Design Director of Claremont Group Interiors, the UK office design company.
Claremont Group Interiors website
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