Kõiki kaasav ruum: Eesti Pank
The 2022 autumn master’s studio “Inclusive Space for All” of the Department of Interior Architecture was held in collaboration with Eesti Pank.
As part of the project, alternative uses for Eesti Pank’s spaces were solved. Due to the transition to hybrid work during the Covid pandemic, the use of spaces in the bank’s buildings has become irrational or the spaces are underused.
The workshop focused separately on the 2nd floor of the Sakala 6 building – spatial solutions for the administrative department. The space analysis
was carried out through three main aspects:
1. Information collected from the Job Shadow Day
2. Possible applications of the green office in the space
3. Possible applications of the activity-based office in the space
Based on the results of the Job Shadow Day observations and the interviews conducted, it became clear that employees lack an area for socialization. A place where non-formal meetings could also be held. People doing hybrid work come to the office to communicate with colleagues. There are also several specialists working in the department for whom the availability of a space that allows them to concentrate is important, and a personal office is preferred.
Eesti Pank has already analyzed the topic of the green office at length and tried to apply its principles in various fields. In order to reduce the ecological footprint, space solutions could also be reviewed. For example, abandoning personal offices is one option – the amount of unused space and equipment will decrease.
Eesti Pank has actively used the home office as an activity-based office solution. Employees are given the freedom to decide on their working hours. The main thing is that the work is done. And this also brings with it the problem that employees should only come to the office when they need to communicate with colleagues. At the same time, office space has not come along with activity-based solutions. Space solutions could allow for mood changes. Different zones would allow for different work tasks to be performed. The question also arises as to who definitely needs an individual office? If an employee has chosen a hybrid work format, a personal office may actually inhibit productivity during the days spent at work.