Challenging conventional notions of space based on hierarchy and status, the authors show how team environments, non-territorial offices and other strategies can support business objectives, energize employees and result in a more competitive organization.

When Hurricane Andrew smashed through Burger King's world headquarters in Miami, it destroyed "Mahogany Row," a floor of imposing executive suites. In the aftermath, everyone from managers and telephone operators to the CEO found themselves in sneakers and jeans, working in the unsheltered space of a prefab office. This makeshift building so stimulated the business that Burger King changed its workspace and forever relinquished its territorial office hierarchy.
Space is an organization's second most valuable asset. Yet little attention is paid to how it supports the new ways in which today's organizations operate---teamwork, flattened hierarchies, telecommuting, collaborating across functions. Workplace by Design shows CEOs and managers alike how to put aside and rethink conventional, awkward notions of space utilization based on hierarchy and status--notions that pit people against each other in turf wars, tear apart teams, and tie up company cash. Using illustrative examples from Digital Equipment Corporation, Steelcase, and others, the authors show how team environments, non-territorial offices and other strategies can support business objectives, energize employees, and produce a more competitive organization.