Boeing increases productivity by 50%

THE WORLD’S LARGEST AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER USES INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, SAVE COST, AND HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON WORK CULTURE

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In the wake of 9/11, Boeing found itself in a race to implement lean manufacturing processes. Opting to use interior architecture as a tool to solve business problems, Boeing engaged Steelcase consulting team and architectural design firm NBBJ to design a new workplace to mesh with the cultural shift towards enhanced collaboration.

We break down the Interior Architecture design process and see how space design impacts business performance…

Immersive & Identify

Immersing into the client’s business process to identify problems is the key step in every project. 35 Boeing executives, equipped with video cameras, fanned out into their office areas to record things that were disrupting their productivity. They identified 4 key problems:

1. A large social gap between the people designing the aircraft and the people building it. The manufacturing plant was a “no go zone” for engineers that felt too proud of their hard earned white collar stature. This caused a barrier in information flow within the company.
2. Unnecessary space and furniture caused delays as employees have to “work around” as they did not support the employees’ work.
3. Patterns of work and circulation.
4. Problems with heat, cold, and lighting.

Ideate, Develop & Apply

In solving the key problems, 4 key ideas were developed and applied:

We began mapping processes better because everyone began thinking about how their work flowed to and from others. It broke barriers.

CENTRALIZING SOCIAL AREAS

In alignment with the cultural shift towards breaking down barriers between white and blue collared workers, the common areas are now seen as opportunities for chance encounters. A democratic feel is designed to encourage all employees to be able to connect with each other.

OPTIMIZING SPACE TO BUSINESS PROCESS

A system of green, yellow and purple lights visually displays the status of production on the line and helps communicate when urgent issues require attention. This is a key business management tool Boeing uses that is enhanced by design.

FULL VISIBILITY

A mezzanine floor was designed to allow engineers to have a full 360 view of the manufacturing plant. Allowing engineers to anticipate issues and address them before the problem balloons. Glass and polycarbonate is used for a more “open” work culture.

Engineers come down from the mezzanine to offer help to mechanics. Huddles form around a bottleneck.

ZONING

A clear delineation of private vs public space allows for employees to intuitively know to be quiet or loud. Sound barriers (IE partitions) can be erected to reduce noise pollution and also provide privacy.

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With the ideas above, this project showcases how organizations can be highly intentional about how they use space and how interior architecture can create an optimal environment that maximizes business performance.