Designing an office which inspires your employees is essential for business success. The office should be a comfortable, collaborative and productive hub where your people can work efficiently.
However, creating a workplace that caters for the varied needs of your organization can be a daunting task. To keep your team motivated, it is vital to put their needs at the forefront of the design process.
Could your current workspace be limiting your business potential? Here, we delve into five common office design issues and uncover solutions which can transform your workplace environment.
Lack of Identity
Is your office design aligned with your brand image? A workspace which integrates your identity is likely to keep staff at work, attract new employees and increase productivity. An absence of design features which embody your brand’s distinctive style can leave employees feeling uninspired.
The unique personality of your organization can be reflected in key features across the office. Embedding company branding within your space can act as a subtle reminder to the workforce of your company values, goals and ethos. This may manifest in your company’s mission statement written on the walls, though it can be as simple as using brand colours in decorative pieces.
The office space should be a place where your teams feel connected to the heart of the company. If your design can create this connection, productivity and motivation within your workforce will prosper.
Lack of Culture & Community
An office space which lacks a thriving company culture can diminish employee motivation, creating a flat working atmosphere for your teams.
To create a sense of community, incorporate spaces which facilitate interaction and collaboration. Open plan layouts such as large breakout rooms or agile areas can create opportunities for creative brainstorming, team projects and group meetings. Optimizing these open areas for social occasions or hosting large company events can also encourage employee engagement.
Focusing design on a positive working environment can improve employee performance whilst creating a sense of belonging throughout the business.
Lack of Focus Spaces
Balance is key when it comes to office design, without a variety of workspaces employees may struggle to remain productive. To be inclusive of all staff, especially neurodivergent individuals who are extremely sensitive to loud noise, it is vital to implement areas for focused work.
While the value of collaboration in the workplace is well – acknowledged, a common issue is the absence of private areas with reduced noise levels. To create a workspace which supports the diverse needs of your company, designated booths or pods, retreat rooms and allocated quiet zones should be incorporated into the design.
Noise disruption can be reduced by implementing sound – absorbing design elements such as acoustic panelling or sound insulated partitioning. Similarly, consider ambient background sound applications or even positioning rooms in more isolated areas of the office space.
Poor Space Utilisation
The layout of your office space and the positioning of key services is crucial to creating an environment which encourages productivity, cultural balance and retention of a happy workforce. Often spaces are designed in a hurry with tight deadlines and last-minute decision making. Another pitfall can be the disorganised, organic growth of a business which culminates in inefficient space planning, lack of shared facilities and poor inter departmental communication. Without a suitable office layout which is tailored to your workforce, you may operate in an environment which is cramped and crowded. This can largely interfere with employee mental health and work performance.
A solution to this is to undertake a thoughtful, strategic approach to your office design by conducting a workplace consultancy. A study of this kind would assess current needs, strengths and weaknesses of your existing space and look ahead to how future growth will affect your requirements. Through contacting a design expert, you can prevent your office taking the wrong space and undoubtedly save disruption and costs in equal measure.
Lack of Amenities
Modern office design prioritises employee experience by understanding staff wellbeing, comfortability and health. Creating a work environment which supports the needs of your staff allows them to feel appreciated, motivated and acknowledged. A lack of amenities can be a threat to your overall workplace experience, which can impact employee attraction and retention.
Since the introduction of hybrid working, home working versus in office work has been an ongoing discussion. Insights from Savills show that UK office occupancy rates are slowly rising, and spaces should be intentionally designed to encourage well – being.
It is important to integrate facilities such as relaxation rooms, outdoor spaces or a simple tea point with coffee and snacks. Alternatively, adding biophilic elements to the space can connect the office to the natural world. These design features can elevate employee’s day-to-day workplace experience, encouraging them to perform efficiently.
Investing in your workplace is vital in creating an environment which prioritises your people and the way they work. By addressing the problems we’ve discussed in this article, your workforce can excel in an office space which makes them feel valued and supported, ultimately encouraging them to perform at their best.