What is a Creative Office Space? [3 Key Characteristics]

 The term “creative office space” is easily thrown around. So, what is creative office space? By definition, a creative office space is any office that falls outside of a traditional layout (plenty of private offices on the perimeter and cubicles).  It is a thoughtfully designed space that invokes creativity, flexibility, and collaboration. 

What is creative office space? Here are 3 key characteristics:

1. Design & Construction

Creative office spaces are built with a more open floor plan and fewer private offices. The open area utilizes bench style seating or has modern office furniture such as standing desks. It typically has polished concrete or wood type flooring throughout. Other creative office design features include open kitchen, exposed ceiling, and upgraded lighting.

2. Space Usage & Layout

The modern workforce has transitioned from static to mobile. The rise of millennials and generation Z in the workplace has encouraged employers to have more flexible layouts. You will find that in creative offices there are moveable walls that can be expanded or contracted, rooms that can serve as team meeting areas or lounges, and reception areas that can turn into a bar/happy hour area. Creative office also evokes a feeling of comfort and ease that makes people want to come to the office.

3. Wellness

 The modern workplace takes wellness more into consideration than traditional spaces. In a creative space, there is access to more natural light since the space is more open. Architects are designing plans that combine indoor and outdoor spaces. Examples of these are garage roll up doors to extend the office into an outdoor patio, a living wall with succulents in the reception area, rooftop decks, grass lawn areas with plenty of seating and work tables.

In addition to having a great place to work, another important purpose of leasing creative office space is to recruit and retain talent. With this competitive work environment, the war for talent is fierce and the best and brightest want to work in creative spaces.

The role of creative office space also helps with employee engagement and increases employee satisfaction. If employees feel that they have control over where and how they work, they will feel empowered and engaged.

When creative office space is designed effectively, the social spaces within the office can bring the same vibe as a coffee shop or lounge while offering the support for employees to get the work done.

 More and more landlords are building plug and play spec suites that are creative. Renting office space is in high demand,  however creative suites are even more popular, they lease quicker, and can command higher rental rates for Landlords.

Many landlords are taking into consideration building areas to accommodate a variety of creative requirements:  such as “maker” studios for graphic 3D printing, sound proof rooms for podcasts and recording, or editing rooms for video content. These types of amenities are becoming part of the planning and design process in markets with creative tenants.

 The modern creative office is truly becoming a place for people to live, work, and play. 

This post “What is Creative Office Space?” was written by Corina Irvin  |  https://corinairvin.com/ |  Phone: 310-228-1214

what is creative office space

About Corina Irvin

Corina P. Irvin is a Director at the Los Angeles office of Cushman & Wakefield. Corina specializes in helping clients lease or purchase office space that aligns with their unique branding, operational, and financial needs. Prior to joining C&W in Los Angeles, Corina spent several years with C&W in New York City. She is a graduate of USC with a degree in business administration and an emphasis in real estate finance. 

For Corina it’s about more than just finding an office for her clients. It’s about finding the right home for their business; a space that meets all of her client’s needs, aligns with their brand, feels creative and inspired, and that will support their future growth.

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3 Comments

  1. We are in a dilemma about trying to market commercial property in Rural Oklahoma. We have not found it successful marketing approach to selling commercial property. Please contact us if you can be of assistance.

  2. It’s great that you mentioned how creative office spaces are built with a more open floor plan and fewer private offices. I was watching a TV show about office tours the other day and I just learned that there are actually various kinds of office layouts, creative office space being an example. From what I’ve gathered afterwards, it seems there are creative office space search services being offered now too.

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