What it means to ‘Bureaufy’ a space

Nothing makes a person feel like a square peg being forced into a round hole quite like working in an office that just doesn’t… Well, work. Fancy workstations, new tech and trendy decor may sound like a recipe for the perfect office, but they’re really just the ingredients. To take your office from a place where people (try to) work to one where they actually get work done, the recipe is simple: you need to ‘Bureaufy’ it.

What is a ‘Bureaufied’ space?

A Bureaufied space is the answer to the question: what kind of office set-up allows you company’s team to do their best, most productive work?

Sure, the average office provides space for work to happen. But for any business that wants to improve focus, collaboration and output, a collection of desks and an internet connection are the bare minimum.

When we say it’s time for a company to Bureaufy their space, it’s our way of saying it’s time to take a more thoughtful, informed approach to how their office is structured out. Does your office have the tools and workspaces that match–and even enhance–the work that happens there? A Bureaufied space is one that inspires and facilitates the best work from the people who use it by creating office conditions that make sense for them and the kind of work they do.

It doesn’t need to be complicated

Creating a Bureaufied office doesn’t need to be complicated, or costly for that matter. In fact, we believe that truly functional spaces shouldn’t hinge on expensive renovations or permanent alterations. Instead, your company can Bureaufy your existing office layout by using modular components such as booths, desks, and dividers to create the conditions needed to improve focus, collaboration and comfort. These components can be swapped out or moved with relative ease, making it simple to reconfigure a space whenever your business needs evolve and work styles shift. This approach is both more cost effective and adaptable than traditional build-outs or relocation.

How to Bureaufy your space

So, to recap, a truly Bureaufied office:

• has functional spaces for deep focus, collaborative and creative work
• is modular and adaptable, allowing it to keep up with changing business needs

With this in mind, here’s how to use some of our favourite components to Bureaufy your office space:

Booths

Soundproof, easy to move and available in multiple sizes, office booths are the highly versatile workhorses of any Bureaufied office. Booths are the easiest way to make a big impact in any workspace because they create separate rooms without the need for construction. Consider using office booths as:

• Meeting and board rooms, complete with hook-ups for video and presentations 
• Quiet spaces that cut out distractions for deep-focus work or mental rest
• Collaboration centres with white boards and group seating where team members can brainstorm without disrupting their colleagues
• Soundproof studios for recording podcasts and video content
• Hives of creativity, stocked with inspirational resources and music speakers to fuel the imagination 
• Private spaces for sensitive calls and conversations
• Sensory rooms that provide respite for neurodivergent team members

Workstations

From coffee shops to dining rooms, anything can be a workstation if we need it to be. But just because most of us can set up shop almost anywhere doesn’t mean we should. Well-crafted desks and chairs–when set-up thoughtfully–can be real game-changers in any office. Here are some ways to make these office stalwarts work for you: 

• Different configurations: There’s no one way to set up desks that’s going to work for all people and work. Instead, try incorporating different configurations throughout your office. Solo desks in a quiet room or area can create ideal conditions for those who need space for individual tasks, whereas communal row seating or bullpens can be useful for teams that need to connect regularly throughout the day.  
• Dedicated workstations vs hot-desking: Giving everyone their own dedicated workstation can be a great way to create a sense of belonging among team members, and having a place for storing the tools of their trade close at hand can help save time each day. On the flip side, hot-desking (sometimes called “hotelling”) allows people to work from different desks each day. This system tends to lend itself well to businesses where team members work from the office on different days. It’s also a good way to let team members collaborate with different colleagues when the work requires it, or even provide a change of scenery from time to time.
• Ergonomics: It’s hard to do your best work when you’re uncomfortable. Choosing ergonomic desks and chairs–as well as the right ones for the job–makes it easier for team members to focus on the task at hand and avoid injury. (Because, yes, you can get hurt from spending too much time hunched over a bad workstation!)

Dividers

Moveable partitions have come a long way since the days of cubical cities. These days, dividers are often just as sleek as they are functional, and they can be used in all kinds of ways to shape the performance of an office. Use dividers to:

• Provide privacy between workstations
• Dampen sound in shared spaces
• Separate zones within the office
• Create semi-private breakout spaces 

Bureaufied spaces: Made to evolve

Taking the time to Bureaufy your office space is a valuable way to set your business up for success. A thoughtful space built around what your team does and how they do it will open the door to better focus and more productive work because it meets your team where they are. 

But here’s the best part of Bureaufied spaces: they’re as dynamic as you need them to be.

When you pay attention to who uses your space and how, you can use those observations to adjust and improve your office in real time, ensuring it’s always working as hard as the rest of your business. Whether your team grows or the nature of your day-to-day operations changes, a Bureaufued workspace will always work.

Ready to Bureaufy your space?

If your office isn’t supporting the way your team actually works, it’s time to rethink the setup. Explore flexible, modular solutions designed to improve focus, collaboration, and comfort, without construction or long-term commitments.