RETHINKING OFFICE SPACE TO PROMOTE PRODUCTIVITY

The pandemic has changed how some people work and employers are now reconfiguring their workspaces to cater for this. Dealers have an important role to play in advising them to get the right space for their needs

ne of the long-lasting effects on business of the pandemic is how it has changed how people work, with hybrid arrangements – working some time in the office and the remainder at home – becoming commonplace.

A knock-on effect of this has been to change the purpose of the office; it is becoming more of a destination, rather than where people go every day and, as a result, many employers are reconfiguring their office spaces to cater for this. “Workers are using digital tools that allow them to do their jobs remotely, reducing the need to spend all day in the office,” says Yvonne Partridge, business development director at Bi-Silque. “Others are demanding more areas for collaborating, and less individual desk space. Future workplaces must convey these new working standards, which is a challenge - but also an opportunity.

“During lockdown people rediscovered the importance of human connection and while technology allowed co-workers to engage and stay in touch, physical interaction is still essential; it’s difficult to create good working relationships with people you’ve never met in person. There is a trend for designing the workplace to promote a lasting sense of wellbeing – wellness of mind and body leads to productive, engaged and healthy employees.”

‘Resimercial’ design - a portmanteau of residential and commercial - is another trend that has gained momentum, adds Yvonne. “The goal is to encapsulate the bliss of domestic life and bring it to the office,” she says. “It blends home elements into the contemporary workspace, with textures and materials that evoke a sense of comfort – an environment where people enjoy spending time reduces stress and promotes productivity.”

Jeanine Goddard, creative director at Bisley, agrees that workspaces should be designed as more of an extension of home, with the use of warm lighting, textiles and textures, with personal stowage readily available. “Integrating plants into storage is a fantastic solution, especially in more open plan spaces,” she says. “As well as screening colleagues from intrusion, and adding to focus, if they’re used in long runs, or open shelving units, they can be mood-boosting and relaxing as well as good for the environment, air quality and acoustics.”

Zoning areas of the workspace is an important part of this. “From welcome spaces to focus areas, collaboration hubs to private meeting booths, ensuring your space is designed with the activity in mind is what zoning is all about,” Jeanine says.

“The core thing to remember is that zoning, ultimately, comes down to basic human factors and understanding that the design of the space will constantly evolve. Flexibility is essential; give yourself room to adapt your space. You could introduce tables and chairs that are on casters so you can move them around quickly, have optional dividing walls, or utilise stacking or flexible furniture.

“The goal should be to create spaces

that are functional, comfortable to work in, and make people want to be there; they must encourage communication, collaboration and genuinely beneficial face-to-face interaction.”

Steve Plaistowe, business development manager at Spectrum Industrial, adds that office spaces are also being transformed into working showrooms - and signs and graphics can help to achieve this. “Every business wants their workplace to look good but, when it comes to decorating offices, most businesses think about paint colours, furniture and layouts; signage never crosses their mind, but it can enhance the environment,” he says. “Signage and graphics can create an amazing interior space for customers which incorporate creative designs.”

According to Steve, offering signage and graphics, as well as furniture and such like, can increase the overall value of a project and increase a dealer’s margin. “By adopting a more consultative role, you can advise and provide a much more valuable project,” he says. “Where you might see white walls, we see a blank canvass. From a wall in a corridor to a window, glass partitions to ceilings, well-designed graphics can be a clever and cost-effective use of space. They can reinforce the businesses brand, motivate and inspire employees and instil a positive culture as well as creating a huge impact on people visiting, very much benefitting the business.

“For example, signage is the easiest way to make a good first impression. When people enter your building a strong sign with your business name and logo looks professional and puts customers at ease that they are in the right place and are dealing with an established company. You can also make your reception aesthetically pleasing with wall graphics featuring attractive advertisements.”

Meanwhile, hybrid working is changing the way meetings are conducted and, as a result, how meeting rooms are configured, says Jeff May, UK sales director at Konftel. “Hybrid working is here to stay and, as a result, more video meetings will be required as not everyone will be in the same location at the same time,” he says. “Pretty much every meeting room will require conferencing facilities – from a huddle room to board rooms; demand is growing all the time.

“Dealers have an important role in advising customers on office redesigns, helping to ensure they have the right space for their needs and that it contains all the right furniture and technology to ensure the business is as efficient and productive as possible. Dealers should adopt a consultative role.

“It’s clear that if companies make the right investment and the right choices they will have a strong platform for sustained and sustainable growth. There are many widespread benefits of more flexible ways of working, such as maintaining a happy and motivated workforce.

“High quality video collaboration is at the heart of a bright and bold new future. We expect these trends to continue throughout 2022 and beyond.”