The design of your office plays a crucial role in the overall performance of your company. If the office space is poorly designed, worker productivity will be negatively affected. During the 1950s, when the concept of unique office spaces was first popularised, many companies began to differentiate their office space designs. They started hiring professional companies in order to create unique designs and create a persona for their company.
Because of the boom in this industry, many separate agencies commissioned studies in order to determine how worker productivity is affected by the office space. At the time, most companies didn’t really realise how important the design of the office space really was. When the results of these studies were published, companies were astonished. It was revealed that the office space, coupled with the organisational culture of the company, played a crucial role in determining worker productivity and motivation.
Obviously, companies want to make sure that their employees remain motivated. The earlier theories of scientific management that simply focused on money as the sole motivator were rejected. Companies began focusing more on creating a more comfortable and cohesive work environment for their employees.
This gave rise to a completely different industry altogether. Many different office space designing and planning companies opened up throughout the UK. Today, this industry is booming. Whether you want to design a small workspace or wish to create a luxurious office, you will need the help of an office space planning company.
Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs still think that hiring an office space planning company is not such a good idea. Many even dismiss the notion, thinking of it as a dead investment. However, what they don’t realise is that hiring an office space planning company could go a long way in increasing the company’s revenue in the future. Here are a few things that you should know about hiring an office space planning company:
What Do They Do?
Office space planning companies generally work with independent designers and architects in order to design office spaces. There’s a major difference in designing a commercial workspace as compared to a residential space. In commercial workspaces, the designers have to accommodate a greater number of people. Moreover, they also have to make sure that the place doesn’t get too crowded.
When you first hire the services of an office space planning company, the designers are going to visit the empty space that you have rented/ purchased. Then, they will visit your current office (if you have any). Ideally, the designers want to get a “feel” for the company before they start designing the office space. Companies such as Oktra in London have a very meticulous designing strategy.
Since the culture and atmosphere in every office space are different, the designers want to make sure that they capture this feel. When a client walks into the office, they can gauge a lot of stuff about the company just by looking at the interior. There’s a reason why larger companies, such as Fortune 100 companies, spend millions in designing their office spaces. The humongous lobby, spacious offices, tiled floors and high ceilings are all designed for one purpose: to impress customers, and to give employees a sense of privilege.
The main aim is to make sure that employees remain focused and productive. The designers will factor each and everything before they start designing the office space. With the amount of experience under their belts, the designers are able to quickly realise how much space is needed based on the number of employees in your office.
Office Furniture
Office space planning companies don’t simply create a design for the interior of your commercial space; they also furnish it. When the designers take a close look at the available space, they will create a 3D model of how the office space will look after the design is complete.
If you agree, the designers will start with the furnishings. Since it is a 3D model created using high-end design technology, you can decide whether you want any changes or not. Thanks to the wonders of technology, you can observe everything closely and weigh in with your input too.
Obviously, the designers will factor it into the final design. They will highlight all of the problems that they see with the design, and will even ask you for recommendations. Once the final design has been approved, the planners will get to work. Ideally, most office space planning companies have contracts with local furniture companies.
This allows them to get good quality furniture at major discounts. Most office spaces are furniture with custom chairs, work spaces and other furniture. Since companies want a unique look, it is imperative that the stuff used in the office can’t be found at your local furniture store.
As a result, the designers have to be very thorough with the design. They need to make sure that each and everything is set in place accordingly. Obviously, shifting your offices from one place to another is not an easy task. However, the planners can make the whole thing extremely simple.
They will handle everything while you just have to think about hiring a packing company to move all the stuff. Remember, the design of your commercial space plays a major role in how your employees will perform. Even the size of the desk plays a major role. If the desk is too small, your employees won’t have enough space to keep all of their necessary tools.
As a result, they will need to get up every now and then in order to find essentials such as staplers and other office equipment. The size of the desk should be big enough to accommodate all essential tools, but not big enough to waste real estate. Moreover, there should be electrical sockets and internet ports near each desk too. The employee shouldn’t have to get up every now and then just to check on such stuff.
