Strategic Space Planning Initiative

UCOP has embarked on a study of our workplace for all four downtown Oakland office locations. Over the next several months, we will be working with Gensler, an architecture, design, planning and consulting firm, to review our current workspace and assess how it might change in the future. The goal, beyond a more efficient use of space, is to achieve a work environment that improves the overall experience for all UCOP employees. 

Why are we conducting this study?

  • At UCOP, space is a continual challenge in our downtown Oakland locations, and due to continuing UCOP budget constraints, we must seriously examine ways to bring down our space costs.
  • Technology and contemporary approaches to workspace planning in the last 10 years have drastically changed the way that we work (e.g., communication with others, the way we process and store work information), yet our workplace has not evolved to support the new ways we are working.

What are the goals for this study?

  • A 30 percent reduction in real estate costs over the next 5 years.
  • Challenge the status quo and explore progressive, innovative workplace designs tailored to enhance the way UCOP staff work now and in the future.
  • Determine adjacency needs between teams and departments.
  • Increase communication and collaboration across teams and departments.
  • Create flexibility to allow UCOP to quickly and efficiently respond to workspace changes as required by staffing and organizational changes.

What is being explored in the study?

  • How individuals, teams and departments are working now and will be working in the future.
  • Workplace standards, including offices, cubicles and support spaces (meeting rooms, break areas and pantries, filing and storage, etc.)
  • New alternative workplace designs, including new types of individual and group support spaces.

What is the timeline for this initiative?

  • See project timeline (pdf) for the research phase of the initiative. 
  • Following Gensler’s study, a final report will be delivered to the President’s Advisory Group, and final recommendations could take up to three years to fully implement.