Despite vast changes in the way in which business is conducted in the modern age, and the creation of whole new industries as a consequence of technological developments such as the internet: office spaces have remained on the whole relatively unchanged since the advent of the personal computer.

Although the conventional office set-up may well be ideally suited to many organisations, it is not necessarily the most suitable solution for all companies, nor is it by any means the case that those businesses whose operations would prospectively run more smoothly using a different workspace layout necessarily have to cohere to the traditional office template.

The rise of digital media has resulted in the creation of a vast number of companies who capitalise on modern technology: whether that is the graphic design aspect, web design, search engine optimisation- or any number of other new media orientated industries. Not only have a great number of these companies dispensed with traditional business attire, but also embraced a new approach to the workplace itself. Obviously companies in these fields require computers and other electrical hardware but they have taken a radical approach to the other aspects of the workplace, getting rid of those outdated fixtures and fittings which grace more dated offices and bringing in vibrant touches and modern adornments.

At the technological level, photocopiers and fax machines are now often replaced with computer printers which can fulfil these functions as well as scanning and printing documents and images at high speed. Computers and monitors have shrunk and in some cases, such as with apple computers: have amalgamated, meaning that less space is required to house these central aspects of the office. Presentations need no longer be carried out on flipcharts or black/white boards as computer presentations hooked up to digital projectors offer more aesthetically developed and quickly recalled alternatives.

Cubicles and small desk areas are no longer necessarily the best format for an office, open spaces with communal work areas are becoming more common and lend themselves better to team brainstorming and decision making exercises. This open plan approach to office space has also meant that there are fewer instances of separate managerial offices in more forward-thinking offices- by having multiple levels of the organisational hierarchy working in the same space, communication is easier.

In fact, given the nature of online business, offices are often dispensed with altogether. Working from home is no longer a by-word for slacking and many company owners are now realising that money saved on the running of an office can make a marked difference to a company's profitability. In the modern age an office shouldn't be restrictive or constructed according to archaic rules and traditions (although health and safety is of course paramount!).