This book investigates the critical disconnect between evolving modern work practices and the static environmental systems found in conventional office building designs. The authors, a collaborative team from DEGW and the Building Research Establishment (BRE), utilize extensive research to analyze how organizational shifts necessitate new approaches to spatial planning. They argue that current infrastructure often fails to accommodate fluid work patterns, providing a framework for specifiers to select products that align with contemporary office requirements.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for understanding the intersection of architectural design and organizational behavior in the 1990s. Professionals in facility management and architecture frequently cite the study for its systematic approach to bridging the gap between human activity and physical infrastructure.