Workspace Standards FAQs

Frequent Questions & Answers

1. What if my job requires additional space than what the state is allocating per employee?
   

   From time to time there may be some deviation from the guidelines, depending upon externalities beyond the control of the tenant agency and/or the DMS. These externalities may include the actual total amount of floor space available at the office location under consideration, the types of furniture and equipment to be used by the agency, the initial cost of remodeling, or a building's structural limitations and statutory demands such as the ADA standards. Consequently, the actual amount of space occupied by each employee may increase or decrease slightly from those stated in the ?Space Allocation By Position? policy. It is not the desire of the DMS to approve deviations from the guidelines that would increase an agency's consumption of office space based solely on previous allocations or personnel preferences. The DMS does encourage agencies to explore alternative office concepts that would reduce the amount of office space that would otherwise be procured using the guidelines.

2. What are the environmental benefits of the renovations?
   

   In the Prototype Office project, impressive results have been achieved with a new type of lighting. Based on the prototype, the total number of light fixtures should be reduced, with a reduction in energy consumption calculated at .48 watts per square foot, which is far below the national average. In addition, these fixtures emit light that has a very soft appearance and a high color rendering index, which means the employees enjoy very even and glare-free light that does not give a false color to their workspace.

   Another benefit to replacing old fixtures an increase in the efficiency for air conditioning system. In decreasing the number of fixtures and using the new efficient fixtures, there is a reduction to A/C requirements for the renovated space.

3. What are the benefits to employees resulting from the remodeling project?
   

   The goal is to provide a functionality, efficiency and the professional atmosphere by employing allocation and layout standards. The objectives are:

   • Provide a safe, accessible, comfortable and productive environment for all employees and visitors.
   • Ensure efficient use of building HVAC, electrical and mechanical systems.
   • Distribute adequate fresh air and natural light to all employees.
   • Maintain building flexibility to accommodate organizational change.
   • Set standards for utilization of space that can be applied to all State owned buildings and larger leased office facilities.
   • Encourage a ratio of 20/80 hard-wall (or constructed) offices to systems workspaces.
   • Establish an average square footage per FTE, including common area allocations, of 180 sq. ft.
   • Select furnishings, finishes, and floorcoverings for durability, and with a planned useful life of 10 years or greater.
   • Reduce maintenance and moving costs by using standard furniture and a floor plan without boundaries, so when organizational change occurs only the employees need to move, not the furniture or walls.
4. Is DMS trying to force state workers into smaller offices and cubicles?
   

   No. DMS is simply seeking a higher degree of standardization in regard to how office space is utilized in order to reduce the amount of wasted space in state-owned and leased buildings. Allowances will be made for agencies with special needs, such as laboratory space and areas needed to directly serve the public. In most cases the 180 square foot average per FTE, including common area allocations, can be reached by eliminating excess space in areas such as meeting rooms and hallways, but it would be left up to individual agencies to decide how to best achieve the standard based upon their unique needs and circumstances.