Space Optimization Magic: Making Every Inch Count in Your Office
As we continue to return to the physical work place in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, more companies are reducing or eliminating all together “working from home”. Productivity, collaboration and a drive for innovation are at the heart of the back to the office movement. Some of the immediate benefits for employers having their people return to the office include:
– Rise in employee productivity
– Increase in workplace collaboration and inter-department communication
– Increased employee pride and satisfaction in their job and surroundings
– New business sparked by client visits
– Buy-in to the Company culture through regular exposure to colleagues
– Recapturing the team spirit and camaraderie
These are only a few of the benefits that come with having people work and collaborate in the office space on a regular basis. You might find yourself on the verge of making the decision of having your team return back to work in the office and in this guide, we’ll aim to provide some insight on measures you can take to ensure your office is ready now, more than ever to accept your staff and how you can improve your productivity through space optimization and utilization techniques.
Create and embrace open floor plans
There are a number of ways to create space in an already existing crowded office. Working with a professional commercial contractor and outlining exactly what you need is the essential first step.
Lease costs for commercial offices in Vancouver are high and continuously rising. Many businesses are looking for ways to make the most of their space and get the best return on investment for their office. The cost of your space is probably one of the most significant items on your balance sheet, as such, here are some of the ways you can create more space and become more efficient in your workplace:
1. Gain space by eliminating walls; office partition walls are often non-structural and can be easily removed in a day or two. Eliminating unnecessary demising walls will allow you to gain additional square footage in your office space whilst making your office look and feel larger and creating an open, collaborative work space for your team.
2. Build multifunctional desk; the best way to maximize functionality and space is to spend time understanding what specific needs your business and employees have. By talking to your employees and having their input in the creation of their immediate workspace, you can design and plan your office space to get the best out of your people.
What this looks like will vary for each team, business and office. You may opt to add an extra printer desk, a plan table or something different. For example, if right now you have 8 desks but only 5 of them are ever used at one given time then you could reduce the number of desks and utilize the extra space to create an area that inspires work productivity, collaboration and motivates your employees to get more out of their day. This can be an additional coffee area, a small meeting room or even a pool or foosball table to help team-building.
3. Increase collaboration and staff interaction; it’s important to get the right aesthetics inside the space. Here are some ideas to help create a warm space that feels like a productive environment and encourages employees to get the most out of their day.
– Introduce plants to improve air quality and make the space comforting and inspiring
– White boards and design boards help to keep staff motivated, on topic, aware of latest developments and to encourage collaboration
– Have a dedicated break area or alternative work space that is perhaps more comfortable than an office chair. Ergonomically designed couches or chairs placed around a table or workspace give staff an alternate area to meet or work
4. Outdoor space utilization; Outdoor spaces will provide an opportunity for your staff to get fresh air, stretch their legs and interact with other team members. It is well known that ‘hallway interactions’ or chance meetings of colleagues can inspire conversation that leads to collaboration, problem-solving and internal motivation.
Lighting
The importance of good lighting in an office space cannot be overstated. In a city like Vancouver, where we have so many cloudy and rainy days throughout the year, having a well-lit office will help your staff feel awake and alert and perform at their best throughout the day.
Here are a few examples of improving lighting in your office:
– New blinds that can open all the way to encourage natural light
– Replacing pendant lights with recessed lighting to make your office space look and feel larger
– Updating your light fixtures to give your office a modern aesthetic
– Installing dimmer switches to allow for adjustable lighting. This especially important in multi-purpose areas such as board rooms and meeting rooms
Modernize your office space to make it look and feel bigger
One way to rejuvenate your office space, particularly in older buildings is to expose ceilings and walls that were previously covered up. In decades gone by it was popular to enclose spaces, drop ceilings and cover any exposed brick, beams and industrial pipes etc. Nowadays, open industrial-look ceilings, exposing brick and bare columns are very common and often desired when it comes to the office environment. Removing old drop ceilings will increase the overall height in your office and make the entire place feel larger. Removing walls around columns and structural elements should gain you a few extra square feet of office space whilst eliminating old damaged drywall in the process. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way in making an old industrial space look like a modern tech office.
There are considerations and processes to remember when demolishing in older buildings. By discussing your project with a professional you can ensure that all modifications are done in a safe manner that adheres to City regulations and permits are properly applied for and obtained. By having professional drawings and plans designed for your office needs and the building’s requirements, you can ensure that any structural items remain in tact and your new workspace is planned and produces a space that will last a long time.
Floor Plan
Take time to research what a successful office floor plan looks like. By investing this time you might find that it’s worth rearranging the current setup of your office in order to increase efficiency and productivity. Placement of coffee machines, water refill stations, break areas are all crucial elements that can increase employee satisfaction, collaboration, and interaction between departments. By making your workplace an area that staff want to be in, they will be more inclined to work harder and almost certainly more productive.
There are so many ways to change up your office design and give yourself choices and options that can be tweaked as your business evolves and grows. Communal workspaces, ‘hot desks’ and other innovative office designs have proven to increase productivity and business efficiency. Every business is different and has different requirements, by designing a space that has multiple uses and is encouraging to staff interaction you can guarantee getting the most out of the space.
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons you may have for wanting to renovate your commercial space, ranging from increasing functionality to modernizing or simply creating a more attractive space for client visits. Maximizing your office space utilization boils down to how much office space you have, how each area is used and what measures can be taken to maximize space and productivity at the same time.
We have given you some ideas for why and how maximizing your office space utilization can improve your business. If you are in the process of having your staff return to the office, are struggling with a lack of space in your existing office or would simply like to get the best out of your team by providing them with the best space possible, you can book a free, no obligation consultation appointment with us online on our website.
www.quayconstruction.ca
info@quayconstruction.ca
(778) 697-9924