Whether you’re hosting quarterly meetings for executives or small huddle rooms for informal collaboration, the best design for your board room will depend on the nature of the discussion you’ll be having and the number of participants. You’ll want to select an arrangement for your room that allows attendees to board evaluation process write notes, or to use interactive displays.
One of the most popular options is the traditional boardroom layout which has been featured in a number of films and is ideal for discussions that require collaboration and decision making. It’s made up of rectangular tables that are pushed together to put everyone on an equal footing. It is also ideal for presentations, and it can accommodate both remote and in-person participants.
Another alternative is the hollow square layout, that is a set of four tables up in a square form with people seated along the edges. It also has a space in the middle where a facilitator may work. This is a good choice for meetings with less than 20 participants. It’s also a great option for collaborative sessions where the focus is not on making decisions, but instead sharing information or working on specific projects. However, it’s not the most ideal option for video conference or remote attendees.
The classroom model is great for instructive types of training workshops, but it can be uncomfortable if you’re running a long time where attendees are expected to record notes. The theatre style is perfect for large-scale meetings where you will be presenting and need to ensure everyone is able to view your presentation in a visual format.