Rethinking Flexibility in Design

As technology consultants, we've frequently encountered the term "flexible" to describe a wide range of things, from technology and spaces to entire facilities. It's one of those catch-all buzzwords—like “collaborative” or “state of the art”—that carries an inherently positive connotation. Who wouldn’t want to be flexible? However, what exactly do we mean when we talk about flexibility in design?

Ask different people what they mean by "flexible," and you'll likely receive countless answers. In the realm of architecture, "flexible" can refer to:

• Multipurpose: Spaces that can accommodate various activities.
• Repurposable: Areas that can be transformed to serve different functions.
• Divisible/Resizable: For instance, auditoriums with movable walls.
• Lightly Zoned: Industrial or office spaces with minimal restrictions.
• Agile Workplaces: Office environments with unassigned seating.

In the tech industry, flexibility might imply:

• Multi-functional Devices: Like a tablet that doubles as a laptop.
• Versatile IT Infrastructure: Systems that work with various types of end-devices.
• Adaptive Network Infrastructure: Capable of managing changing data capacity.
• Future-Proof Design: Incorporating redundancy or space for expansion.
• Modular/Scalable Systems: Infrastructure that can grow with demand.

Decoding Flexibility in Design

The meaning of flexibility can vary significantly across different sectors. For instance, the flexible technology infrastructure needed by a healthcare facility will differ markedly from that of a museum.

It's tempting to dismiss "flexible" as a vague and overused term. Yet, we’ve found that when clients mention flexibility, it often signals an opportunity. Clients typically have a clear vision of how they want a space to function and the impact they want it to have on their organization's operations and culture. The challenge lies in bridging the gap between this vision and the specific design requirements, which is where the exploratory process becomes crucial.

To uncover what clients truly mean by flexibility, we use a “People - Place - Process - Paradigm” method.

People:
Who are the users of the space and technology? Consider aspects like workflow, group size, and collaboration patterns. Are the users tech-savvy early adopters or more casual technology users?

Place:
Where is the technology being utilized? Consider both in-room and out-of-room tech experiences and how they interconnect. What physical design elements are necessary to enhance the technology user experience? What tools should the space provide?

Process:
What activities are taking place in the space? This is where detailed exploration is necessary. An architect might say, “They’re doing videoconferencing.” But what data is being shared? Are they using a whiteboard or collaborating on spreadsheets? An oil and gas asset team’s needs will differ from those of a healthcare team.

Paradigm:
What challenges are currently faced? What makes tasks difficult to accomplish? What would the ideal scenario look like?

For example, when a client requests “flexible meeting space,” instead of only asking about capacity, delve into their meeting style. What’s the size and composition of their teams? Do they meet in person or virtually? What’s effective or ineffective about their current communication culture? What changes are anticipated within the organization? What tools do they need but lack?

This process is not about following a checklist; it's about taking a journey with the client and addressing these considerations as we go. The aim is to create a user-centric design. Once a clear vision is established, the design can be guided by it and success measured against it.

It all starts with being asked for "something flexible." As designers, it’s our job to unpack what these terms mean—whether it’s scalability or state-of-the-art—since clients often have their unique interpretations.

Understanding what “flexible” truly means must precede the engineering phase. Without this insight, we risk failing to deliver what the client genuinely needs. In this regard, we’re quite inflexible.

TEECOM Can Help

In the fast-paced world of design and technology, true flexibility is not just a buzzword—it's a critical component of effective, future-proof solutions. At TEECOM, we specialize in translating abstract concepts of flexibility into tangible, tailored designs that meet the specific needs of our clients. If you're ready to transform your vision of flexibility into reality, contact TEECOM today to discover how we can help create spaces that work seamlessly now and in the future.