Have you ever seen an office pod? In the evolving working environment, the concepts of an office are more diverse. An office pod is a common innovation, especially in offices with an open layout. For some modern workplaces, these innovations are not only about function but also have become brand identity and aesthetic aspect support that align with interior design.
If you're unfamiliar with this concept, you're in the right place. This article will dive deep into the concept of an office pod. You will get a lot of insights such as the use, pros and cons, several types, and the estimated price of office pods. Scroll down for more details!
What is an office pod?
An office pod is a small room designed as a personal focus space or private meeting. This room can be freely moved to any preferred workspace and now has to be part of a modern-day office. Office pods themselves are very loved by the employees as it helps them a lot in focusing on their work. With a pod of their own, they’re spared from loud noises that can distract them from work.
Back then, an office pod could only accommodate a few people. These days, such pods have changed into having many different sizes and functions. Some of these office pods are equipped with soundproof walls, making them the perfect choice for anyone who wants a private space to have confidential conversations.
There are plenty of office pod designs that can contain a lot more people for any purpose. But what exactly can they be used for? Here are a few functions:
- Private meeting
- Focus working times
- Video conference
- One-on-One
- Exchanges ideas
Pros and Cons of an Office Pod
The more employees who love the idea of office pods, the more companies that want to provide it in the office. However, are they really worth it? Before deciding, it’s important to analyse first the pros and cons of the office pods. If you’re still clueless, here are some of them:
Pros:
- Provides privacy: Office pods provide privacy security to completed confidential works. With soundproof walls, the sensitive business topics meeting doesn’t have to worry about leaks.
- Helps focus and productivity: You may agree that distraction is the enemy for productivity. Office pods help minimise the distraction and support you to focus more on the work.
- Accommodate collaboration and interaction: Office pods design that can contain lots people accommodate the collaboration and interaction. Whether for brainstorming or small group meetings, this room is an ideal place.
- Flexible purposes: Just because it’s located in the workspaces, it doesn’t mean that office pods can only be used for work. Now this room functions more varied, starting for relaxation areas, casual conversations areas, or even nap areas.
Cons:
- Cost for setup and maintenance: Installing office pods is quite costly in the advance. Not to mention that they are also required to have maintenance and repair regularly. Although pods can boost employee productivity, some companies consider them a costly investment.
- Limited capacity: Important to note that an office pod designed for small group meetings. Therefore, they are limited in space and cannot accommodate larger events like department meetings. This limitation will require the company to make additional rooms for a bigger capacity.
- Space requirements: Another con that should be considered is space requirements. Every office has to make sure that they have spare square footage to install an office pod.
Different types of office pod
Have you already decided to install an office pod in your workspace? Before you do, please note that knowing pros and cons are still not enough. You also have to know some different types of office pods before deciding. First of all, identify what’s the function of pods in the office, is it for individual work, small meetings, or relaxation areas? After that, you can choose an ideal pod depending on your goals. Take a look at a few types of an office pod below.
1. Work pods
As its name implies, work pods are quiet places designed for completing tasks that need high concentration. Typically, work pods are smaller in size than they are for individual workspaces. Work pods are also equipped with noise reduction features to minimise external distractions. So, if you prioritise having a small, quiet workspace, this type is perfect for you.
2. Meeting pods
Meeting pods are bigger than work pods generally. These are comfortable places for brainstorming or discussion with coworkers. Actually, meeting pods also have some variety sizes, such as small pods for 2-4 people and large pods that can contain 6-8 peoples. Before choosing this type, make sure you have the space to install it.
3. Phone booths
This type of office pod has become one of the most popular ones. Phone booths are rooms that allow you to receive calls or videos in private. They feature noise-blocking so you don’t have to worry about your privacy. Since phone booths are compact in size, they are primarily used for receiving calls rather than for meetings or brainstorming sessions.
4. Nap pods
Nap pods may be the most favourable office pods for employees. These pods are designed as burnout or relaxation areas, allowing workers to take a break. Nap pods were created because many employees work too hard so they lack sleep. With these pods, they can have power naps in the office so they can be fresh again and work optimally.
How much does an office pod cost?
Finally, the important question arises: how much does an office pod cost? Generally, the cost of office pods can vary, depending on the details needed. There are a lot of factors that can determine office pods' cost, such as the types, the sizes, the qualities, and the optional features. For an estimate, here are some office pod costs in the UK:
- Phone booth: £3,000 – £17,000
- 2-person meeting pods: £7,500 - £20,000
- 4-person meeting pods: £12,000 - £26,000
- 6-person meeting pods: £22,000 - £35,000
Final Thoughts
At last, an office pod is an innovative solution that offers numerous benefits to the working environment. Are they worth investing in? To answer that question, you should first identify the pros and cons of office pods. But in general, there are a lot of companies that do not regret installing office pods. Office pods are worth the investment, as they improve employee productivity and contribute to ROI increase.
If you are looking for more ways to improve your ROI, the College of Contract Management is the perfect place to be. The College has plenty of courses that are ideal for you to learn about investment. Moreover, you can access the College’s blogs to gain some investment knowledge. So, don’t wait any longer—get started now!
