Dubai-based CitySpace – an independent interior design company specialising in corporate workplace solutions – witnessed an increased interest in seminars on workplace freedom at the Office Exhibition 2006, held early last month (June 4 to 6), where leading international specialists shared their knowledge and expertise on workplace-related developments and innovations.

The turnout at the seminars at Office Exhibition 2006 – the Gulf’s premier event for the design and management of the office environment at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre – was reflective of the rising change witnessed in Dubai today, where staff turnover is the main problem faced by various companies.
“We are delighted that some of the most respected specialists spoke on the three core areas of our working life – workplace best practice, workplace design and ergonomics. The seminars helped participants become aware of the need to create a motivating and productive working environment conducive to knowledge sharing, communication, and innovation,” says Jon Steiner, executive director of CitySpace.
“At CitySpace, we recognise the correlation between employee productivity, ergonomics and the quality of the workplace. A well-designed workplace enhances a company’s image by reinforcing its corporate identity and brings a positive impact on the way people collaborate and work. The office should therefore be designed around human interaction, creative freedom and physical comfort,” he adds.
CitySpace plans the layout of the interior space of a building to meet the needs of the user by not only positioning the physical elements such as walls, desks and chairs strategically but also taking into account the office amenities, gadgets, IT and communication systems and sound, air and light control all within a specified space, Steiner adds. All these topics were highlighted in the seminars at the exhibition and attracted participants’ attention.
Some of the topics covered at the exhibition included creating a corporate identity through office design, acoustics in the workplace, feeling at home in the office, space as a message, how lean is the office, why a business should care about sustainability, the method and means of practical ergonomics as well as an introduction to workstation ergonomics and vision drives posture. Speakers at the seminar included specialists from well-renowned companies such as Fira International, Interface, Bene, CitySpace, Herman Miller, PMK Consultants, Vitra, HNI Allsteel Incorporated, Colebrook Bosson Saunders and Humanscale.
Established in 1993, CitySpace aims to design intelligent and functional workspaces that helps people focus on achieving their goals through workplace services that include consultancy, design and project management.
With a dedicated international team of professionals, CitySpace applies expertise and local knowledge across all its client projects, striving to ensure that each client brief, no matter how complex, is interpreted into flexible, durable and cost-effective design solutions, on time and within budget.
The company has built an impressive portfolio of multinational and local clients based in Dubai and throughout the Middle East. Its operations cover setting up brand new operations, relocating to new premises, and expanding and refurbishing existing facilities providing a wide range of services which cover workplace-related consultancy, designing, furniture, contracting and support facilities.