Creating an office design derives a huge influence from the brand of the product or the business. An office is where one spends the most productive hours of a day, therefore its style should be well researched. Such factors can be brought about by how well the design concept fits into the plan.
Why Planning for an Office Design is Essential
– Office planning is not simply arranging of desks to fit into an empty room, but a deliberate effort to make workstations relate to one another and offer seamless workflow. Whichever the type office plan – open, closed or hybrid – the relationship between productivity and efficiency should never be compromised.
– Different products require a different approach in designing offices. For technological products, workstations should be enjoined in an open office plan to give room for discussions and referrals. As for physical or bulky products, a closed or hybrid office plan should be considered.
– Costs are also a major contributor to why and how we plan for an office. An open office plan is much cheaper to acquire and modify compared to a closed office.
Ways to Improve an Office Appearance
– Enlist the services of professionals – they have eyes for colour, accessories, space management and décor.
– Use technology to design, modify and invent new designs. The plan should aid in making operations easier. For example servicing equipment like computers, desk telephones and screens among others.
– Work ethics are best demonstrated on how workstations are spaced out. An open plan office is associated with openness, creativity and collaborations while control and formality are associated with an closed office.
Steps in Designing an Office
1. Do a site visit to the proposed venue for the office. In this trip, take all the measurements needed to create a plan. This can be done if the legal and contractual terms for the space are agreed upon and finalised.
2. Samples of probable designs are created, keeping in mind the customer’s preferences, the location of the front door, cost of materials, furnishings, the location of restrooms and other necessary fittings.
3. After a design has been agreed on, the cost of production is fine-tuned, budgets approved and the purchase of materials commenced depending on urgency and availability.
4. If the design requires modification of the floor space in the building, a potential consultation is necessary ascertain pressure and strong points within the building. The modification should complement the building’s original plan, especially if it is a storey building.
5. The plan is executed – modifying the floor space, purchase desks, chairs, wall units, electronics, fittings, paintings and accessories.
6. When the floor, electrical circuits and equipment are finalised, the desks are arranged as wall units and file cabinets are put in place.
Congratulations! Your office is now ready.
To talk to us about any project or aspect of work, find all our details on the contact page now.