Cress Facilities Management

    Crafting the Ideal Office: Key Elements for a Productive Workplace

    Crafting the Ideal Office

    Crafting the Ideal Office: Key Elements for a Productive Workplace

    Would you like to work in a workplace with a boring desk, without painting on the wall, and where you can hardly communicate with your colleagues? No, right, you wouldn’t spend your 35 hours a week in such an environment as it will affect your mental and social health and also your work efficiency. Thus, it is important to create a workplace where the employees will love to work and dedicate their 8 hours a day happily.

    An ideal office that is integrated with the facilities that the employees of the current era look for can flourish your business and increase productivity. So, let us look at how an ideal workplace can be created so that the employees do not have to go anywhere but remain loyal to your organisation.

    Key Elements of an Ideal Workplace

    Ergonomic Furniture

    An ideal workplace can be created by choosing ergonomic furniture as it promotes comfort and improves the posture of the employees. Furnish the office space with adjustable chairs and desks as they reduce back and neck strains. Comfortable and supportive furniture can improve focus, concentration, and overall productivity.

    Optimal Lighting

    An ideal workplace must have sufficient natural lighting because vitamin D is good for bone health and immune functions. Apart from that, the artificial lighting must be adequate, and the choice of bulbs must complement the color scheme of the interior design for overall well-being.

    Indoor Air Quality

    Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause respiratory issues, allergies, sensitivities, and cancer and affect cognitive functions. To maintain the IAQ, you must have proper ventilation and air purification solutions in the office to remove pollutants and allergens from the air.

    Thermal Comfort

    Employees can focus on their respective work better if the temperature of the workplace is neither too cold nor too hot. High or low temperature diverts their mind and can make them feel uncomfortable, which eventually affects productivity. Thus, a structured and optimal HVAC system can help a lot to maintain the indoor temperature, which is 16 to 24 degrees, making your employees comfortable.

    Acoustic Environment

    To make the workplace noise-free, soundproofing materials such as spray foam, acoustic caulk, soundproofing blankets, or acoustic panels on walls, ceilings, and corners must be used. Apart from that, calming sounds like rain, ocean waves, or forest sounds can be played in the background to create a peaceful atmosphere, as soothing music helps people concentrate better on work.

    Biophilic Design

    You can incorporate live walls, natural materials, indoor plants, rooftop gardens, and eco-friendly patios to help the employees connect with nature. This will give them a stress-free, welcoming, and warm atmosphere, which the employees seek in the current working scenario.

    Designing for Flexibility and Collaboration

    Flexible Workspaces

    Ensure that your workplace incorporates innovative interior designs and furniture that can be easily rearranged to suit different tasks and activities. Optimal use of the space, waste management, cleanliness, and functionality of every single element in the office will retain the interest of the employees. 

    Collaborative Areas

    Meeting rooms, staff lounges, coffee areas, terrace lounges, mini-entertainment areas, and smoking zones are some of the necessary areas that you need in your workplace to make it ideal. Different teams can use these rooms at different times without disturbing other’s work. 

    Private Workspaces

    A private area that is isolated and noise-free must be in the office so that individuals can work peacefully on their projects. Personal cabins or soundproof rooms are perfect places to focus on the work without getting disturbed by external sources.

    Technology Integration

    Connected Workspaces

    Smart doors, HVAC systems, thermostats, lighting systems, security cameras, sensors, broadband, or speakers are a must-have in the workplace. When the employees are facilitated with the best at their workplace, their determination to increase productivity grows even more.

    Remote Work Support

    You can use communication tools such as Google Workspace, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc, to stay connected with remote employees. Apart from that, remote work support like broadband fees, commutation fare (in case of field job), and other essential resources must be provided.

    Sustainability in Workplace Design

    Energy Efficiency

    • You must install energy-efficient systems such as LED lights, ventilations, high-efficiency HVAC, and smart meters.
    • There must be a water conservation system and solar panels as well to use natural resources and reduce energy wastage.

    Eco-friendly Materials

    • You must choose sustainable furniture with a natural finish so that you can create an eco-friendly environment. 
    • Use either recyclable or recycled furniture, as they are non-toxic and biodegradable and reduce the demand for new raw materials. 
    • You must check the certifications and labels of the furniture to ensure no chemical emissions.

    Case Study: Mitie HQ at The Shard

    The Mitie had three offices in London at different locations, which made it difficult for the employees to commute and work together as one due to a lack of communication, connection, and technology. Thus, they decided to move all the employees, merge the three offices into one, and relocate it to a place that is easily commutable.

    The traveling pattern of the employees was observed to determine where the new office would be, and thus, it was moved to the iconic ‘Shard’ building of London.

    During the decision-making process, the Agile workplace principles were implemented to ensure that the office became ideal for its employees.

    After the relocation, the employees will have a better and more facilitated workspace that will allow them to collaborate with every team member. Now, they can relax, focus on work, and have a noise-free workspace, moveable furniture, and private working space.

    The employees are satisfied with the workstations provided, and thus, Mitie’s productivity has increased ever since the relocation.

    Conclusion

    To create an ideal workspace, you must pay attention to optimal lighting, air quality, thermal comfort, and acoustic environment to help your employees focus. Apart from that, furniture must be adjustable and innovative, and the workplace must be connected and collaborative with essential private spaces. The elements used in the office must be made from eco-friendly and sustainable materials to reduce environmental impact.

    Traditional office designs with round tables and partitions are out of trend now and are replaced by open, connected, and technologically integrated workplaces. In the future, workplaces will be more focused on what will attract and retain employees while increasing their work efficiency and productivity. To make your workspace ideal for the employees, you must get in touch with Cress Facilities Management, where you can get services like  HVAC, cleaning, property maintenance, groundskeeping, and waste management.