Redesigning your office – what you need to know
If walking into your office doesn’t give you a little buzz of excitement, it’s time to think about a workplace redesign.
Over the past few years, office space designs have changed dramatically. And this has been reflected in the design and functionality preferences we see from our clients.
More space to collaborate. Better audio visual systems for borderless connection. Biophilia and natural elements, which make us feel calm, focused, and productive. These are just some of the features you might consider when designing an effective workplace.
Whether you’re moving to a broken plan set-up, employing more people, or building a workplace of wellbeing, the following ideas will help you transform your space into an office fit for the future of work. In this article, we’ll look at:
- Your brief
- Rethinking your desk space
- The tech that can help you connect
- Designing a wellbeing workplace
But before you start designing your office, you need a plan of action.
Your brief
Every good office redesign needs a brief. Before you start picking out planters, artwork, and light therapy lamps, you need to consider the following things when designing your office:
- What you’re trying to achieve: Are you creating a workplace employees will visit every day? Or a hub for them to pop into once a week? Do you want to foster collaboration, or encourage autonomous working?
- The lifecycle of your redesign: Are you revamping the office for the next 10 years? Or is this a yearly spruce-up?
- The target market: For landlords, this might be specific industry or sectors; for office tenants, this will likely be your team.
- The credentials and accreditations you want to achieve: Keen to meet the WELL Building Standard? Increasing natural light and improving air quality are structural changes you’ll need to make ahead of adding decor.
The type of workplace you want to create will dictate the design choices you make.
If you want to foster collaboration among teams, fewer desks and more lounge space might be the best course of action. If calls with international clients are a regular occurrence in your office, then perhaps a top-of-the-range audio-visual system should be your priority.
Figure out how your people will spend their time when in the office and plan your workplace redesign around those needs.
Rethinking your desk space
If you’re looking to foster collaboration, and rekindle workplace friendships it’s time to think differently about desk space.
Since the pandemic, we’ve seen clients using office space in a multitude of different ways; from events and catering to meeting and lounge space. Fluorescent lighting and identical cubicles are a thing of the past. Now, organisations are using the office for idea generation, creative sessions, and cross-departmental collaboration.
Space to complete focused work still matters. But today, rows of desks are balanced with social and collaborative areas where teams can come together. The best part is that you can incorporate these office space designs without having to change any significant structural elements of the building.
With a few smart furniture solutions, you can switch out some of your desk space for collaborative space, so teams have the choice between team and individual work.
Meeting pods and moveable furniture provide a way to switch up your space, without having to build or knock down walls. The result? Spaces that your people can customise to create unique environments that help them do their best work.
The tech that can help you connect
We’ve seen an increasing number of clients include high-quality audio-visual systems in their office space designs. With organisations fielding conference calls left, right, and centre, having the tech infrastructure to support those functions is now a necessity.
When it comes to designing your office, consider how you can make video conferencing spaces effective. Soundproofing, projectors, and multiple microphones can enhance the audio-visual experience.
Touch screen collaboration tools could also be a worthwhile investment. These gadgets allow you to pull up designs, drawings, and specifications, so you can gather your team and work on projects collectively.
One thing you’ll need to consider on your office redesign journey is that audio-visual technology needs to be more than just useful. It has to be easy, and seamless to use.
Many people experienced remote work for the first time during the pandemic, and coming back to the office shouldn’t mean they have to contend with finicky devices and low-quality tech.
Designing a workplace for wellbeing
Countless workers reported feeling lonelier than ever during the pandemic. But workplaces allow us to reconnect with each other. Designing an office with wellbeing in mind can help turn the tide on work-related loneliness.
Research has shown that workplaces with natural elements and biophilia can reduce stress, increase productivity, and improve overall wellbeing. Adding skylights, indoor landscaping, and better ventilation to improve air quality reconnect office workers with the natural world.
And it’s not just about changing the internal landscape. Consider how you can improve the commute experience for your teams too; with safe and secure bike racks, and shower facilities for those who choose active travel, or a lunchtime gym session.
If you have a beautiful office with exceptional functionality, your people will want to spend time there. And the more people want to spend time there, the more opportunities they have to foster friendships – something that’s fundamental to good wellbeing. Workplaces need space for focusing, as well as space for connection. An office redesign that makes room for both, makes room for businesses to flourish.
Ready for a redesign?
If you’ve decided it’s time to transform your workspace, our comprehensive step-by-step office fit-out guide is on hand to walk you through the process – saving you time, money, and stress.
If you’d prefer to discuss your office design or office fit-out options, you can Chat with Charlie or call us on 01225 485 600 to discuss your goals with one of our team.
