Committing to a new office space is always a big moment for any company. It is often the sign of leveling up, of taking a big new step forward with your company, and you want to make sure that everything is just right to mark this special occasion.
The Main Issues You Need to Consider When You Are Planning Your New Office Space
Right now, there are still so many questions surrounding the return to the office, but it is undoubtedly the place that we are all trying to get back to. It’s not just about getting back to business as usual. It’s about giving your business the best possible chance of success.
And what’s more, a great office space speaks volumes about your company. It is not just somewhere where you can bring your team together, it’s a statement about your brand identity.
But finding and creating the perfect office space is about more than just renting any old floor in any old building. There are steps that you need to take and potential hurdles that you need to prepare for if you are going to make it work as well as you want it to.
There are also aesthetic and environmental considerations that you need to be aware of. Here are a few of the most important things that you need to know if you are planning new office space.
Location Is a Big Question
Of course, location is going to be one of your main concerns when you are thinking of planning what your new office space is going to be. However, since the pandemic, there are a few new wrinkles in that question that you will need to think about.
Are you a company that needs to be located right in the heart of the city with a central location? Are you going to be meeting clients face to face who will have very little time to spare and who are more likely to give you their time if you are a short taxi ride from their offices?
Or are you the kind of business that could benefit from a lot more space somewhere outside the city or in the suburbs?
Thinking even slightly less centrally could yield big dividends if you are more focused on making sure that you can bring every single person in every single department under one roof.
Given that a lot of businesses are considering remote working for the near future, you will need to think about whether those client visits are going to be as high up the agenda as they would normally be.
What Do Your Employees Need?
Speaking of the return to the office, you are going to have to consider how your employees are going to feel about their new space and what potential needs they might have.
Now, of course, we are all keeping a watchful eye on the latest developments, and we are all abiding by the government’s COVID-19 guidelines.
If you are planning a new office space, you should think about how you can accommodate social distancing if you can but having lots of fresh air is also an important factor.
But it is not just about making sure that you are keeping everyone healthy. Think about how you can use this new space to maximize productivity and creativity within your teams.
So often in older spaces, you must cram desks in as you grow, leaving people feeling cramped and squashing teams together as you desperately look for more space. But this is your opportunity to rethink the whole layout.
Think about what each one of your team needs and how you can provide them with not only the room to work but also the right combination of people and factors for them to do their best work.
Think about making room for breakout areas where brainstorming sessions can take place.
This may sound like an obvious move, but it is far better to have dedicated spaces ahead of time rather than knocking on office doors to see if there is a spare room that you could use for an hour or two. This brings us to our next point.
Don’t Settle For Any Old Conference Room
We all know that no office space is complete without a conference room. But it’s also true that all of us have worked at a company where the conference room was the dingiest, most dimly lit, most depressing space in the entire building.
A conference room should be more than just functional. It should inspire creative thinking and conversation. It should have the space to bring as many people in as you need to find the best possible solutions.
We mentioned the importance of having conference rooms but making sure that you design the best one possible is deserving of its own point.
For example, what do you want your boardroom to say to any potential partners or investors who are paying you a visit? What kind of personality do you want to convey?
Then there are the meeting rooms, where team leaders will assemble to hash out the practicalities of each new project and brainstorm the best way forward. Breakout rooms are ideal for creative conversations, quick catchups, or private one-on-one conversations.
Each of these rooms has a distinct purpose and personality, and you need to make sure you have thought about their layout and location in your office if you are planning a new space from scratch.
If you want to learn more about conference room designs and to browse some solutions, Branch Furniture has put together a detailed breakdown with some inspiring ideas. From furniture to accessories, they can help you to create a workspace that best represents your brand.
You Need To Be Thinking Green
One of the main issues that are facing everyone right now is the question of how we can do our bit to help the environment. It does not matter what city you work in or in which country, the signs of climate change have been impossible to ignore.
We are all keenly aware that time is running out and we are all keen to step up and take some responsibility. If you are starting work on a new office plan, this is a great opportunity for you to make some positive decisions.
Think about using recycled materials where you can, and make sure that you are using suppliers that use sustainable products wherever possible.
When it comes to equipment, remember to look for machines and appliances that have a great energy efficiency rating. Don’t forget about low-flow options for anything that uses water, and that LED lightbulbs create significantly less waste energy than other options.
You should also think about how your office design can reflect your environmental policy. Consider bringing in plenty of plant life and encouraging your staff members to get involved with their care and maintenance.
When you are putting your break room together, try to encourage your staff to bring reusable containers from home instead of offering a vending machine filled with non-recycled materials.
Make sure that you have plenty of recycling bins around the office to minimize the creation of non-recyclable waste.
Conclusion
You should also think about making sure that there is plenty of room for your staff to store bikes, as you should be encouraging them to avoid using their cars to get to work.
A lot of these steps may feel small, but they add up.
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