Workforce motivation is critical to cultivating a strong company culture, employee happiness and consequently business success, yet the Health and Safety Executive reports that 11 million days of work are lost annually due to stress, demonstrating that the majority of workers don’t feel their workplace provides sufficient support.
Office design is a fundamental component of workplace satisfaction and positive employee engagement but the ‘one size fits all’ approach to office design ultimately fits nobody. Here’s what we consider when curating spaces that maximise health and productivity.
1 | Varying Spaces
Workplaces must provide a broader range of working arrangements that grant people the flexibility to choose their preferred setting according to the task at hand. Employees are likely to feel disengaged if they are constricted to work from a fixed space. On the other hand, agility improves performance and quality of life at work.
2 | Human-centric Design
The true value of design lies in creating spaces that meet the needs of its users. Office design should foster a positive experience by helping people feel more connected to the organisation and their colleagues. Choice and positioning of furniture must be carefully considered to support day-to-day activities, improving employee performance and driving business results.
3 | Lighting and Colour
Harsh and dim lighting are equally detrimental as they both have straining effects. Maximising natural light is an environmentally-friendly way to raise concentration levels, whilst saving on monthly utilities. A professional designer can also shed light on the best colour palette to improve mood and create a more pleasant work environment.
4 | Plant Power
The positive effects of biophilic office design are significant. Knight and Marlon Nieuwenhuis from Cardiff University found that people are less likely to take sick days if their workplace incorporates natural elements. Greenery can also have functional purposes: living walls can double up as dividers between work areas and make a memorable first impression to visitors.
5 | Minimalism
Most people will struggle to concentrate in a cluttered space that is overflowing with random papers, dirty mugs and tangled wires. Implementing innovative arrangements that allow for effective usage of storage space is one of the simplest ways of enhancing productivity.
Engaged workers add tremendous value by contributing innovative ideas. Like most valuable assets, they are in short supply, so companies should find ways to create a pleasant work environment to attract and retain them. We know that time is money, and our network of vetted designers and contractors are experienced at building functional workspaces quickly, prioritising employee wellbeing and space maximisation to help achieve time-sensitive targets.
Get in touch with our Account Director, Aliona, to see how we can turn your office into a home away from home.