Word Combinations

drop-in working - робоче місце

fixed real estate - постійне робоче місце

flexible and fluid work patterns - гнучка, вільна модель робочого графіка

spatial layout - просторове розташування

Pre-text Exercises

1. Which of these words are similar in Ukraіnian? Can you translate them? Look through the Unit and find five more such words. Check that the meaning is the same:

premium intellectual anthropological demonstrate

potential process material machine

catalyst specification mobile campaign

conflict gallery balcony

2. Translate the following words analyzing their word-formation model. Work with a partner and see how many words with the same word-formation model you can add to this list:

widespread shareholder breakdown teamwork

shortcoming wheelchair basketball

3. BRAINSTORMING. Work in pairs and answer the following questions:

1. What areas do you think workplace design may cover?

2. Why can it be of practical importance for both employees and em­ployers?

3. Now read the text and see how many of your ideas are mentioned. Then think of another title for it. Discuss several possible variants.

WORKPLACE DESIGN

Workplace design is also known as innovative workplaces. As a concept, the 'innovative workplace' responds to a growing recog­nition within employing companies that the physical working environment can have a profound effect on an organization's culture and on the indi­vidual's performance.

Successive anthropological studies have demonstrated a proven con­nection between habitat and human behaviour. Today, there is widespread acceptance that the traditional habitat for white-collar work - the mod­ern office - has significant shortcomings in terms of planning, layout, fa­cilities and aesthetics. These shortcomings prevent organizations and in­dividuals from working to their full potential in terms of innovating effec­tively.

Designing offices to release innovation potential within the organiza­tion links the application of a number of design processes directly to the realization of organizational goals. These processes include space-plan­ning, interior, architectural, furniture and lighting design.

Designing innovative workplaces is not about creating visually 'wacky', attention-grabbing environments. It is about closely tailoring the physical environment to the requirements of developing new knowledge within the organization.

So what are the key issues at the heart of this concept? Inside any or­ganization, it is important to ask searching questions about the current office environment - and look at how physical and spatial improvements and the provision of different equipment might support innovation prac­tices.

Office design has many different, interrelated elements, including spa­tial layout, lighting, furniture specification, material finishes, technology services and catering provision. Within this framework, a number of con­flicting agendas must be addressed to achieve a more holistic balance if workplace design is to act as a catalyst for a more agile and responsive work culture. It is important to recognize these conflicts at the outset. There are five in particular.

First, designing innovative workplaces must reconcile the needs of the organization with those of the individual. Traditionally, office managers have been in charge, and employees have had little say over their environ­ment. But does this bring out the best in people?

Second, innovative workplaces must balance the need for fixed real estate against the reality of increasingly flexible and fluid work patterns. In the mix of office-based, mobile and home working, how can innovation be managed?

Third, innovative workplaces must combine workspace with public or social space. How much of the office space should be private, privileged (a club) or public and therefore open to all-comers?

The fourth conflict to resolve is architecture versus design. How much of the workplace investment should go into the bricks and mortar of the building shell, and how much into less permanent interior settings and flexible leases? Finally, organizations need to look at the image of their Workplace. Does it suggest an automaton (reflecting famous architect Miesvan der Rohe's belief that an office is 'a machine for working in') or can it express more human values? All of these conflicts resonate in the practice of designing innovative workplaces.

Notes on the Text

knowledge-driven –керована знанням

tailor - пристосовувати

have one's say - висловлюватися

be in charge - завідувати, керувати

the bricks and mortar of the building shell - цегла і будівельний розчин для корпусу будівлі

Text and Vocabulary Exercises

5. Find in Text A words or phrases which mean the same as

• to reward • disadvantage • interconnected

• anxiety • at the beginning • contradictory questions

• to think • to react • main problems

6. Match these words and expressions with their Russian equivalents. Then try to memorize them.

1. fresh thinking а. по відношенню до, кажучи мовою

2. material finishes b. виявляти, знаходити

3. holistic balance с. претензійний, той, що привертає увагу

4. bring out d. щонайповніша рівновага

5. wacky, attention grabbing e. обробні матеріали

6. in terms of f. оригінальні ідеї

1. WORK IN PAIRS. Think of some questions to review the contents of the text and give answers.

2. Give a short summary of the text.

8. Render the following text into English: