(NEWS CENTER) -- Businesses in California's Silicone Valley are known for their creative, modern office designs. Most office buildings use a layout that architects call the open-office.
The open-office layout eliminates walls and private offices. The concept is designed to require less square footage, but also make the work environment more open and flexible. Some businesses in Maine have now started to adopted the layout, one of those businesses being Idexx Laboratories in Westbrook. At Idexx not even CEO has his own office anymore.
"I am like everyone else in this building. No one has a dedicated office we are in what we call an open space," said Jon Ayers, Idexx Laboratories CEO.
Every employee at Idexx has their own desk, but they are also given a laptop and mobile phone so they can work anywhere in the building. This gives them the option to work from the buildings many quiet spaces, which include a plush chair and a desk, or the large outdoor patio for the nice weather months.
Eliminating walls and private offices also allows for easy communication between employees and fills the building with tons of natural sunlight.
" It's fabulous. I mean the light is fantastic. We really have a blast, we talk back and forth all the time," said Cindy Bois, an Idexx employee of 14 years.
Aside from being a nice work environment Idexx also tries to make it a healthy environment. The first floor of the building is equipped with a cafe filled with affordable healthy food choices, a gym with brand new equipment and an Intermed health clinic.
"We think having a great work environment for people includes time for people to tend to their mental and physical health. We think that improves our productivity," said Ayers.
Promoting health and wellness also benefits the company when it comes to healthcare costs.
"It's good for our productivity and it also helps manage our health care costs. The cost of our healthcare has increased at far lower rates than the national average. The commitment that we have had to physical and mental wellness has contributed to a healthier population," said Ayers.
For business owners and developers who would like to learn more about the future of office space you can attend the Maine Real Estate and Development Association's spring conference in Portland. Click here to learn more about the event.