What constitutes a great place to work in? In a world upended by the pandemic and then unrest, more people are rethinking what a safe and efficient workspace looks like, writes Beth Stols.
Having recently relocated from Johannesburg to Notties, there’s a growing list of things I can’t seem to get here easily. Good coffee is gratefully not one of those. For a small town with a limited retail offering, the speciality cafe scene is impressive and coffee seems to be blazing a trail in new workspace scenarios.
In Notties, as in Durban or a growing number of small towns, there’s no shortage of coffee shops cum evolving workspaces. For example, tucked behind the well-known Spar complex in Notties, next to a commanding oak tree is Lineage Coffee. If you’ve gone down the N3 towards Durban and into Hillcrest – you’ll have seen their headquarters and probably heard of their award-winning barista and founder Craig Charity who teamed up with Midlands local Dom Marot in Notties.
They wanted to create a beautiful space for great coffee and for friends and business associates to catch up. Their Monday to Friday establishment has a cosy fireplace for winter, double glazed windows and well-insulated walls.
I was defrosting with a Cortado after dropping my kids at school and watched a farmer park his bakkie and make his way into the store. His order (a big cappuccino with macadamia nut milk – hmmm, it’s not just a Joburg thing) was on the counter by the time he had barrelled in and greeted the barista like a long-lost cousin.
Modern and minimalist in design and decor, the space manages to combine a raw, industrial feel with warmth and beauty. There’s ambient lighting, high ceilings, huge glass doors and views of the trees. There’s an uncomplicated menu, fantastic service, the Ferrari of espresso machines and some serious grinders.
Coffee shops like Lineage have raised the bar and are contributing to a movement of comfortable, convenient work spots where a growing number of locals and outsiders pop in for a caffeine fix, a catch-up and (increasingly) a work session.
Among the other offerings is Flamme Rouge near Gowrie Village or The Village at Yard 41 in Howick, the Station Stop and Steampunk Coffee.
Marot says food and coffee are revolutionising how many people are changing their view of where and when to work. Another knock-out venue to work from is Blueberry Cafe on Netherwood farm on the road into Nottingham Road. It has majestic views of the mountains, great Wi-Fi, working hot spots and breakaway rooms. – Antoinette McDonald
Keeping the workspace sane
KZN-based Paul Bushell is a psychologist and author and regular commentator on meaningful living in a constantly changing world, with a client base that includes students, large corporations and individuals.
As a result of this mix, his movements and workspace is fluid and he tries to adapt his professional environment to suit his clients. When Covid hit, Bushell moved his office to his garden at home.
“It has been an amazing experience. Not only has it been beneficial to my work and the people I work with, but also for my own work satisfaction. What started out as an attempt at better social distancing, has resulted in a refreshing, gentle and calm working experience.”
Bushell says the consensus from his clients is that there is something special about being able to engage (especially around healing and growth work) under a tree. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a vivid example of how constant change can and will affect the way we live and work.
Bushell says while all of us have different work values, most people struggle (some longer and harder than others) with the workplace shifts and adjustments. People take comfort in consistency and predictability, and although clearly not impossible, the process of change is generally uncomfortable.
However, with all challenges, there have been some amazing opportunities to rethink the way we do our work, and how we can make it not only more efficient, but also healthier.
“Employers have had the opportunity to reflect on what does and doesn’t work for their employees. While some have found working at home possible and even optimal, others have realised that being together works better. An interesting observation of many teams has been that working from home has been disconnecting and sometimes lonely. It is often the incidental moments (around a coffee machine and in the passages) that employees get to connect and feel connected. These unscheduled moments are often ways of sharing ideas, being inspired and catching up. I don’t think online meetings always make time for these kinds of moments.”
Bushell hopes that there will be a greater move towards providing employees with more opportunities and facilities to address their well-being and mental health in workspaces.
People continually adjusting require better emotional intelligence and support. This could include professionals, spaces, activities and content, which equips people to deal with change. “I would imagine that this would need to be carefully planned. It can’t just be left to happen by itself, or simply to tick a box once every now and then. In-house counselling and coaching services will become essential, and employers will need to provide training and content that is more personal and supportive. In an age of disinformation and online fatigue, the way that information is sourced and packaged will need to be carefully considered.
“And by that I mean, a society, which is becoming more and more fragile … because of an over-dependence on unhealthy technology and digital platforms. That might not necessarily mean less screens per se, but more engaging and better-directed content on those screens.”
ABOVE: Paul Bushell
Evolving Workstations
Situated in the iconic JT Ross Glass House on uMhlanga Rocks Drive is a global professional services company called Marsh McLennan.
Lauren Horsfall and Kelly Andries – co-owners and founders of Durban based Dwell Interior Architects – were tasked with creating a visually dynamic office space to express Marsh McLennan’s culture and articulate its brand.
Their brief was explicit and challenging – they had to meet their client’s global objectives to improve space utilisation and reduce real estate costs, and cater to an agile work team – providing staff with greater choice and control over when, where and how they work to increase productivity.
This was Marsh McLennan’s first agile office (Smart Office) in Africa so expectations were high. The emphasis was on the creation of a vibrant, flexible office with a better range of work settings for different interactions.
The company’s international standards in terms of technology, acoustics, quality of product and functionality had to be delivered within tight timeframes and carefully controlled budget parameters.
Andries said: “When designing we had to ensure that meeting spaces were easily accessible off circulation pathways and that they were evenly distributed throughout the office for ease of connectivity.”
Moveable elements such as focus pods and mobile screens incorporating storage, writing boards and plants were used to delineate team environments and provide acoustic privacy between teams.
All of this needed to be supported by appropriate technology so Dwell had to focus on mobility, access and appropriate devices. All meeting rooms are equipped with smart boards and various internet communication platforms.
In keeping with global office space trends all workstations are open plan and are unassigned – no exclusive use offices are provided.
“Work points are provided according to a desk shared ratio, typically between 60 and 70% – six desks may only be provided for every 10 colleagues. These work points then take the form of both conventional workstations, collaborative facilities and other focused individual work zones. The staff are able to book their workspaces according to the task at hand and for the required timeframes only.”
Andries said the way we work has evolved and space requirements have changed. There was a desire to refresh, to shift from the traditional conservative culture to a more collaborative and creative working environment enabled by technology.
“Companies are increasingly recognising that staff don’t need to be in the office on a full-time basis and that when they are in the office, providing them with a dedicated workstation may not be the best use of space.”
ABOVE: Situated in the iconic JT Ross Glass House on Umhlanga Rocks Drive, is a global professional services company Marsh McClennan.
Happy Spaces, Profitable Business
There’s no denying the uMhlanga Arch is an iconic R2-billion landmark and the lifestyle hub exemplifying the notion of convenience – living, working and playing in one space.
This aligned perfectly with the SMG vision of revolutionising the motor retail experience for customers in Durban. SMG knew this would be the space that was a perfect fit for the BMW brand, and today the company’s 8 000m² workspace at the base of The Arch houses 92 staff in office, retail and workshop designated areas.
Inherent to SMG’s story is the company ethos elaborated by group founder Sean McCarthy who believes a safe, positive, happy and comfortable environment is a huge contributor to creating a great customer experience.
“This is an extremely important factor which SMG endeavors to build into all our workplaces: employee satisfaction is paramount. It is impossible to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction with a disenchanted workforce.”
When designing their new offices, various factors came into play. “With beautiful sea views directly in front of the dealership it was a given to make use of expansive glass surroundings and double volume ceilings allowing brilliant natural light to flood in and lending itself to the extensive open plan feeling that has been created.
The well-being of our employees was at the forefront of our design. Our employees are seated in spacious open-plan settings, each with their own designated workspaces allowing them to have a feeling of openness, while still having their own privacy. This layout creates team spirit and breaks down communication barriers. The open-plan layout is also very much in line with our open-door policy. Outdoor seating areas and the in-house LDV Cafe allow employees the flexibility to hold meetings in a different environment or take some time out for creative thinking.”
The view provides relief from computer screens, reducing eye tension, headaches and fatigue. The double volume means light pours into the dealership which is also decorated with calming indoor plants. And, a winner is a lift inside the dealership that takes employees directly to the Legacy Yard restaurants and shops upstairs.
ABOVE: Based at the iconic Umhlanga Arch, SMG’s office space is the perfect fit for the BMW brand.
Where to work?
Many people find it difficult to work from home all the time due to distractions, connectivity issues and load shedding. People may not need to go to the office as often, but they have an innate need to interact.
The shared service model works well as it reduces the operating costs for the individual business.
The Workstation in uMhlali is a collaboration between Conrad Nalson and Snow Cogan who repurposed a furniture and home decor showroom into an incredible office facility.
Both Nalson and Cogan have a long association with uMhlali and had a clear idea around developing a workspace that reflected the culture and lifestyle of the North Coast and its people, rather than another corporate block. They created a facility with over 80 offices, multiple boardrooms and shared spaces with a great mix of tenants.
Umhlali is steeped in the history of the North Coast and The Workstation concept retains this charm. It is centrally located close to most of the large-scale developments on the North Coast, making it easily accessible to residents who don’t have to spend hours stuck in traffic.
The business model is high-quality offices at affordable prices where tenants enjoy a relaxed and casual environment – and the decor reflects this. The offices are serviced, have good internet and IT infrastructure, as well as a full power back-up for load shedding.
Both Nalson and Cogan work on the property and are on hand to assist tenants. Chef Jacobson, a well-known local chef weaves his magic in the in-house cafe and pumps out delicious meals alongside the onsite coffee roaster Science of Coffee.