Here we examine the office fitout design essentials for a modern, productive and happy work place. There are many office design characteristics that could and should be considered in a modern office fitout. The problem is that the ideal office environment is entirely subjective. Some favour quiet and solitude, while others have a preference for more interaction and background noise. And in fact these preferences change throughout the day, depending on the task at hand.

So how do you strike the perfect balance? The answer is an office space as dynamic as the needs and preferences of the occupants. This can be achieved through providing a variety of work spaces to promote collaboration, privacy and downtime.

Collaboration

A great office fitout will support communication and collaboration, through the flow of formal and informal information. Providing spaces where colleagues can meet informally, brainstorm and share ideas is crucial.  Encouraging movement and interaction in the office will in turn encourage shared ideas and productivity.

There are many options available to achieve these spaces within the wider office space, such as;

• Open plan areas
• Flexible layouts
• Office branding

Collaboration spaces are multi-purpose spaces, supporting individual working, teamwork, training and the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Privacy

It may seem counter-intuitive to look for privacy in a space designed for collaboration. However, office workers need the opportunity to disengage and structure their workday based on the task at hand. Creating quiet zones within the office allows employees to work without distraction when needed. Additionally, privacy is regularly needed for one-to-one interactions such as performance reviews.

Some tips to achieve a quiet zone;

• Use partitions and acoustic treatments creatively to deflect noise
• Incorporate pods or phone booths in the office design

Social Spaces

One of the most important elements is that of social spaces. The idea is to provide areas where employees can recharge in order to boost productivity throughout the day. Introducing comfortable or relaxed elements help make the environment more friendly and promotes wellbeing. Think comfortable seating areas with sofas and bean bags. Cafes and recreational areas with features such as ping-pong tables, swings etc.  A popular trend we see is that of breakout spaces looking more and more like high street cafes.

And these areas aren’t just for breaks. Employees can work here with a laptop if they need quiet away from the desk. Group meetings can be held at an informal living-room type of space with sofas, armchairs, and coffee tables.

Research carried out by the Harvard Business Review, shows that ‘chance encounters’ or unplanned interactions by employees lead to improved business performance. In particular, the research identified that innovation and productivity could be increased by such encounters.

All of these design elements of the modern office fitout work to bring people together to share ideas and information, promote creativity and productivity, while addressing their wellbeing.

Take a look at some of our projects to see how we incorporate these elements in office fitouts for our clients.

Talk to us today about your office fitout needs.