No assigned desks: a new way to work in downtown LA

With no assigned desks or offices at its Hope Street headquarters, the 200 people who work there roam freely among 10 “neighborhoods” and a central area near the entrance that looks like a cross between an upscale hotel lobby and a coffee bar.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Paul Steitz, right, senior vice president for corporate strategy at CBRE, works inside a focus room. Focus rooms are available to employees on a first-come, first-served basis.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

The “free address” style of CBRE’s office and its large common areas almost force employees to interact with one another and work together more effectively, Chief Executive Robert Sulentic says.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Michael Syrengelas, left, and Richard Jue work in individual focus rooms. CBRE employees can sit, stand or even use a treadmill while they work.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Employeees hold a meeting in a conference room at CBRE Group. To help workers stay alert, CBRE pumps extra fresh air into the heating and air conditioning system and electronically adjusts the lighting based on how much sunlight streams through the windows   (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

CBRE’s goal in switching to an “untethered” office was to reduce rent costs by using its space more efficiently and to create a template for other CBRE offices around the world.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)