Space seems to be increasingly at a premium in most offices: BCO’s last occupier density survey in 2013 found that the average amount of space available per office worker had dropped from almost 13 sq m in 2008 to under 10 sq m by 2013, with closer to 8 sq m now becoming the norm.

Organisations are looking to maximise the efficiency of their offices by increasing staff density while simultaneously endeavouring to ensure that there are enough meeting rooms and break-out areas to cater for different types and styles of working. The inevitable result of this balancing act is that from time to time the cry will go up that there are no dedicated meeting rooms or spaces available.

But there is a space in the office which is rarely used and could help alleviate pressures: the humble stairwell. Putting this often redundant space to use as a location for short, impromptu meetings could bring with it several benefits. Firstly, it helps to break down barriers between departments: colleagues from different floors can ‘meet in the middle’ instead of one party doing most of the legwork. Secondly, it gets workers up from their desks and encourages greater movement, both through taking the stairs rather than the lift and by holding meetings while standing up, so bringing health benefits. Lastly, it can facilitate extra interaction and the sharing of ideas as passing colleagues can contribute to the discussion.  

Some architects and developers have already caught onto the idea that the stairs are an underused building resource and are ensuring that new offices maximise their potential. Bloomberg’s new Hong Kong office, for instance, includes large landings, seating areas and strategically positioned windows to encourage staff to utilise the space and hold informal meetings. There are also niches and panels that open up to reveal power/USB sockets and shelves to put coffee cups and mobile phones on.

In older buildings it may not be possible to redesign a whole staircase to emulate the Bloomberg model, but if the existing stairs are wide enough it may be possible to make some quick and inexpensive changes to encourage increased use. Improved lighting, the use of colour to designate meeting zones and small shelves or fold-down standing desks could be a way of transforming a dull corner into an attractive useable space.

There are, of course, a couple of downsides: stairs are obviously not a suitable place for a confidential discussion or for large groups to congregate. There are also potential issues with fire regulations and means of escape if the stairs are an evacuation route, rather than just an accommodation stair. Any new fittings should therefore not block or impede access/egress, hence the preference for wall-mounted niches and ledges.

Offices may not have stairways to heaven, but by utilising them more productively, stairs do have the potential to help you step up efficiency and wellbeing.

Further information

Contact Savills Occupier Services