This book addresses two important architectural and interior design elements that inform the creation of modern offices. The first factor is the notion of highly aesthetic space--a break with formal convention--where technological advances are key to bringing about functional solutions. Firms emphasize their corporate images to communicate their unique identities. Different strategies are used in each office space to impart that identity so that the design projects become laboratories of ideas for architects and designers. The second factor is the incessant demand for workspace, especially in the big cities, which increases speculation and forces companies to make do with the small amount of space available. To facilitate the efficient reduction of office space technological advances, new communications networks and certain atypical work arrangements are used. The unique characteristics of contemporary design and the lack of space have led to the birth of a phenomenon of great interest to both designers and any company that must adapt itself to a reduced workspace: the small office.

The design strategies for each small office are as varied as the existing circumstances of each space. We can, however, point out a few features that the need to scale down has made common to all projects. The first section of this volume looks at common furniture elements and identifies certain issues that need to be addressed when planning this type of project. The second section examines various design projects for small offices, demonstrating a variety of issues and possible solutions. The small space available forces the companies and designers to prioritize the functions of a space when designing the offices. In some cases, conference rooms take up most of the space because they are the company's most frequently used area. In other cases all the work furniture can be easily stored away so the office space can be put to other uses when necessary. In still others the carefully chosen chairs become pivotal to the flexible use of the space. The 25 projects included in this book--involving small offices from around the world--bear witness to a great diversity of situations that must be resolved with ingenuity and creativity.