A well-planned office space can improve relationships in the office and boost an employee’s overall well-being. The result is a reduction in issues like absenteeism and low output. Your environment benefits both the mindset and the physical health of your team.
Think of the office as a place where healthy relationships are needed to complete tasks.
Let’s look at easy ways to refresh a design and plan space so people have a sense of connection to their work and with each other.
Plan for Daylight
Sunshine is abundant everywhere in Southern California—from Riverside and Ontario to the beaches of Los Angeles County and Orange County. Workers with plenty of sunshine enjoy higher morale during the day and are more rested when sleeping at night.
How do you harness light?
Installing light tubes is an easy way to let more daylight into otherwise darkened spaces. If the roof isn’t accessible, then get the most you can from light streaming through windows.
Minimize the use of solid partitions when possible and reduce the height of cubicle walls.
Artificial light is still necessary so use ergonomic task lighting and also use bright colors in the breakroom so it feels as airy and relaxed as possible.
An architectural and interior design firm, Bockus Payne, moved locations and designed their new office around daylight. Company executives found that the team was more likely to greet each other positively than they had before.
Their experience is described in an article on Workdesign.com, “How Physical Spaces Shape Human Relationships and Emotional Well-Being.”
Even a design firm has to learn lessons. Here’s something else they learned: keep partitions as low as possible.
Reduce the Height of Partitions
Privacy is necessary, but partitions can make someone feel like they’re working in a closet.
Photo: Loftwall Flox Room Divider
When Bockus Payne moved offices, they learned their partitions were too high and described the change:
“The new office balances separation and a completely open environment, with lower-height panels that make it easier to interact and stay connected while still allowing people to pin up personal items, calendars, and notes.”
The result is a work environment that’s friendly and vibrant. Social relationships are a major bonus when employees are collaborating and problem-solving with peers.
Use open-plan benching arrangements and cubicles that meet the needs of your team like the Maverick Apex Open Plan Desking. It’s a modular solution that can be used with just a few people or configured for a team that’s growing.
Photo: HON Concinnity Desk
Another approach is to use a model like the HON Concinnity Desk with a partition that either rests on the floor or on a desktop like the Loftwall Hitch Space Divider.
Accommodate Different Generations and Personalities
Who are your peers at work?
Your colleagues may be quite different from each other in age and personality. This can impact work habits. One person may be most comfortable with meetings around a more formal conference table, while someone else can interact much more comfortably with a cup of coffee or tea in a breakroom or lounge setting.
Different environments affect people and their abilities to communicate with each other.
Photo: DARRAN Chameleon Workspace
Don’t consider that a problem or a barrier to accomplishing tasks and getting along as a team.
Use office designs to bring out the best in each other by planning different types of spaces within a larger office setting.
Let’s say your company is a professional services firm in Irvine or in Santa Monica so you want it to look neat, orderly, and convey expertise and credibility.
But that doesn’t mean the furnishings have to be rigid.
Modular lounge furniture comes in all styles and designs so you can have traditional-looking private executive offices with desks like the Cherryman Emerald Desk. Then you can incorporate lounge areas with furniture that’s comfortable and fun to move around, like the Krug Zola Modular Lounge Seating arrangement.
Photo: Krug Zola Lounge Seating
Browse through the 2010 Office Inspirations page to see the various office designs that are showcased. See how the colors and fabrics blend to create specific office environments.
Photo: 9 to 5 Seating Lilly Office Reception Chairs
Remember that your goal is planning for positive interactions in a supportive office setting.
The Value of Experience
Get input on your project from the team at 2010 Office Furniture. They have over a combined half-century of experience working with clients in different industries. The organizations are among Southern California’s most distinguished corporations, universities, and small businesses.
2010 Office Furniture offers space planning so you can feel confident in choosing just the right furnishings.
Contact them with your questions and project needs.
Read Also: Harnessing the Benefits of Collaborative Workspaces
Main Photo: Loftwall Gravity Acoustic Divider
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: 9 to 5 Seating, DARRAN, HON, Krug, Loftwall, Maverick
