Tate Modern, which officially opens today, has offices as innovative as the art in the gallery itself. One of a number of high profile workplaces that have been totally revolutionised in recent years, Tate Modern's dramatic design extends well behind the gallery walls. Each and every function within the offices where the staff who create the gallery operate, has been looked at and overhauled, creating increased productivity and staff satisfaction in the process.

The offices were designed by Alexi Marmot Associates (AMA), whose analysis into office life has revealed that private offices and desks as essential anchors are obsolete and that productivity is best achieved when space is planned according to tasks.

Computers are raised off the desk surface leaving the wheeled desks free to move, giving people flexibility to work in different ways, alone or in teams. Banks of brilliantly coloured storage units add fun and drama to the workplace. A curved white "entrance wall" draws people in visually and at the same time provides the necessities of office work: a gathering space, mail, faxes, copiers, desks for touch down work etc.

Tate Modern Director, Lars Nittve, says: "The office expresses the way people in the new gallery work together. Everything is open, teams work flexibly on projects across gallery disciplines. I have a desk in the open like everyone else so I really know what's going on."

AMA worked with Barbara Weiss Architects, while Jasper Morrison advised on furniture co-ordination with the rest of the gallery. Meeting rooms are designed and appointed with furniture by Eames, Morrison and Citterio.

Anna Lagerkvist