On average, humans spend one third of their lives at work. With such a significant portion of our time being spent at the office, it stands to reason that employers should do everything they possibly can to make their workplace a comfortable, stimulating environment for their employees. Multiple studies have highlighted the importance of the workplace when it comes to productivity and morale. In fact, a survey conducted by the British Council for Offices found that 25% of respondents would be willing to commute an extra 30 minutes to work in their perfect office.
If you’re in the early stages of an office redesign, consulting an architect is a great way of garnering inspiration or guidance on how to help your employees get the best out of their workspace. But while you’re here, why not check out our top tips on how to get started?
Evaluate Your Needs
Every business functions differently and thus your office space will have a unique set of requirements. Having your employees needs taken into consideration will help to make them feel more at home and that they are being actively listened to. For example, if your business requires a lot of collaboration across departments, it should have a lot of open areas where employees can interact freely. In this instance, a cubicle layout impedes efficiency.
Consider Technological Requirements
In this age, planning your office space from a technological standpoint is essential. You shouldn’t become reliant on technology or IT equipment that won’t necessarily be around in a few years. A good example of this is telephone jacks, which were ubiquitous a decade or two ago, but have now altogether been replaced by wireless communication devices. If you can, make your IT department a part of the office design process, or even onboard an architectural firm that specialises in office planning.
Leave Room for Personalisation
Contemporary office space designs often allow employees to personalise their workspace, which can be great for boosting morale and harbouring a sense of belonging within workplace culture. Work out which parts of your office can be customised. It’s also a good idea to garner feedback from your team, as they’ll naturally have a better idea of how their needs can be met.
Plan for Efficiency
As well as keeping your employees motivated, the key to good office design is increasing the efficiency of your business’s daily operations. Where should each department go? How many people will each department house? Are you expecting to expand your cohort in the near future? These are all essential questions that dictate how your office should be designed. For example, if two departments need to interact frequently, there’s no point in placing them on opposite sides of the building. Always make sure that productivity is being heightened, not hindered.
Need help planning?
Based in Birmingham, Integrated Designs & Associates offer a wide range of services, including architectural work, structural engineering and domestic planning services. Our experienced, knowledgeable team is fully equipped to provide expertise on a number of projects, whether it’s an office redesign or a house extension. For more information, contact us.
