Beacons Business Interiors - Top ten tips for your office fit out

Bbi is a multi-disciplined company offering a comprehensive range of facilities support services including account management, interior design and space planning, mechanical and electrical design, project management, internal construction, office furniture, corporate signage and consultancy services. For more information, visit www.bbi-uk.com

Given that most of our waking hours are spent at work, office design is becoming an increasingly important part of a facilities mangers role. It is not just about the superficials, a well designed work environment can improve the bottom line, help increase staff motivation and reduce absenteeism, as well as create a powerful first impression for clients. With this in mind, Richard Randall, Lead Designer from Beacons Business Interiors (Bbi), looks at the ways in which design plays an important part in today’s office environment.

Businesses are increasingly analysing their office layout to get the most out of it. They want the best utilisation of space possible to make the office a hot house of efficiency. However, this does not mean that organisations want a hot house environment. The following are my top ten tips for creating the most efficient working environment.

Create more break-out areas for informal discussions and ‘touch down’ spaces where people can dip in and out to check emails. It’s all about getting staff engaged with their office space to encourage participation and collaboration among co-workers.

In terms of overall structure, we are seeing a continued reduction of the cellular space, where every director and manager has their own office, to a much more open plan way of working where even directors work with teams on the ‘shop floor’. This is coupled with a rise in informal break-out spaces where networking and meetings can take place in a much more relaxed setting.

The introduction of ‘third level space’. This is where informal meetings are encouraged around office printers. Bbi works with a number of blue-chip companies who have even installed white boards and tea and coffee making facilities next to their printers, so people can network as documents come out hot off the press! This facility reduces considerably the need for wasting time in more formal meeting rooms discussing non confidential information.

Colour! No longer will magnolia walls or oak desks suffice! Colours, such as pale greens and off-whites, usually get interpreted as being bland and lacklustre, dampening creativity. Staff and employers are demanding a lot more from their work space and want their expectations to be met. Coloured lights, bright graphics, white desks, bright chairs and dividers are creating an exciting and stimulating office environment. Even the wash-room facilities are more like posh hotel toilets than the public lavatory feel of the past!

Replace old corner desks. These were created as a solution to cumbersome CRT monitors, but as these have been replaced by their sleeker flat screen counterparts, so desks have evolved. In fact, they have come almost full circle to 20 years ago to become bench-like again, which is also far more space efficient.

Do your bit for the Environment. Businesses are increasingly going to see legislation and regulations that will require them to use a minimum amount of recycled products in new projects. Why not try using recycled carpet tiles instead of buying new and send any unwanted old furniture to charities that can put it to good use.

Bear in mind the different generations working in your office. The typical office now hosts four completely different generations – Traditionals (the oldest group, born before 1945), Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964), Generation X-ers (born between 1965-1980) and the Millenials (the youngest group born between 1981 and 1999). Employers need to provide workers with tools and initiatives that are specifically designed to allow a multi-generational workforce to work together easily, while still meeting each generation’s specific needs.

Research shows that 64% of office workers are interrupted more than 20 times a day. It is therefore important to look carefully at acoustic control within your office. Sound proofing between meeting rooms and offices is essential for ensuring confidentiality and sound masking in open plan offices combats the effect of noise on staff efficiency.

Go for a striking reception area. The reception is the first port of call in an office and it is important that it gives the right first impression. A striking reception desk is a starting point but this needs to be supported by other elements such as welcoming furniture or interesting wall graphics. A good reception area shows your clients and your staff that you mean business.

Finally, storage is key. This seems a simple idea but ample storage in the office means the workspace will be organised and tidy. It will cut down on the number of congested areas in the office and a tidy, streamlined office helps portray the right signals to clients and colleagues!

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