IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ON OFFICE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Abstract

In the recent years, the economy has seen rapid developments in information technology. This is crucial to bring Singapore out the assembly-line manufacturing competition with the neighbouring countries such as Hong Kong. Information technology will then bring Singapore forward into the information-based industries, competing with countries all over the world. With this progress into the information age, many implications is realised on various aspects of economic activities. Within the scope of property sector, the impact of information technology lies in the assimilation of it into the office activities. As such, building designs will have to consider the need of office automation. Thus the market demand of information technology and the impact on buildings will have to be determined in order to develop buildings with the appropriate technologies. Developers could not afford to be attracted by the new technologies as profit margin will be affected if the tenants do not demand for it on completion. The study therefore attempts to cover the design requirements by tenants. The findings showed that information technology is rapidly accepted into the office activities. However, the demand on high-tech facilities in the office buildings does not appear to be as fast. It is found that the more contemporary facilities are not so readily assimilated into the office activities. Nevertheless, it is postulated in the conclusion that, given more time, these technologies will soon be part of office activity. Recognising this foreseeable need, many owners have opted for intelligent rather than conventional buildings, to help assure their property remains competitive in the future.