Bringing some summertime vibes into the interior office design can boost morale and productivity. Irrespective of the season, here are some ideas for creating a summery atmosphere in the workplace.
Summer is here, and the warm weather is good for offices no matter what people are doing. First, people are happier during the summer than during the rainy season. This is often because more sunlight is linked to positive moods.
When employees are happier and more positive, their productivity increases, which can help improve revenue and customer service. So it’s unsurprising that you’d want to keep that summer vibe in the office all year. It is just another angle to already-used well-being tricks, but it may provide additional inspiration for office design.
Make the most of natural light.
The first thing you should do is maximize the natural light in the office. A ceiling and large windows are the simplest way to ensure that as much light as possible enters the office. Because of the regulation of body clocks, the more natural light you allow into your office, the higher the level of well-being for staff.
Using natural, light colors in your office is another way to maximize natural light. Pale yellows, greens, and blues should all be included. Lighter colors reflect light, brightening up the office. Using too much white, on the other hand, should be avoided. Some members of your staff may become depressed as a result of this.
Include plants in your office interior design.
Plants are an excellent way to bring summer into your office. Tulips, daffodils, and bluebells are beautiful plants for representing the summer season.
Plants have been shown to improve mood in the office for several reasons. They also raise the amount of oxygen in the area and help eliminate carbon dioxide, making it hard to work. This is a process called phytoremediation. The best indoor plants for this are bromeliads, dracaenas, and spider plants.
Choose the right flooring.
One of the most critical aspects of creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere in an office is selecting the appropriate commercial flooring. Vinyl with the look of light wood is an excellent option to consider installing in an office that doesn’t get a lot of natural light because it reflects light and gives the impression that the room is filled with more natural light. This type of flooring is also simple to clean and maintain after it has been installed.
Open up the office.
Another significant factor that should be taken into consideration is making the office more of an open concept. The open floor concept of the offices allows light to travel throughout the entire level. In addition, open workplaces enable staff members to communicate more effectively with one another and can boost morale overall. Utilizing natural and light materials in these areas and thinking about plants and other such things can help concentration, especially if natural light is not an option. It is, however, important to have quiet spaces where calls can be made and people have a place to concentrate on what they are doing.
Practical Interior Design Ideas to Keep the Staff Productive
Office managers, business owners, and facilities managers constantly seek ways to increase team productivity. It can seem challenging to keep your office inspiring and new in a continuously changing workplace thanks to co-working, home working, and flexible hours. We examine several tried-and-true interior design ideas to increase output and energize and motivate personnel. These interior design tips are ideal for modern business, whether adopting cutting-edge commercial flooring, altering the office layout, or streamlining your workspaces.
1) Fun interior design concept
Innovative companies that have embraced fun workplace interior design ideas include Telus, PruLife UK, and KMC. Employees will want to work in a fun environment and be more productive. They may even stay later and socialize while at work. Despite the seeming contradiction, integrating work and leisure is critical to hiring new employees and rewarding current ones. You don’t have to go as far as Onefootball HQ, which has a headquarters with goalposts and a three-lane jogging track around the office.
Still, these forward-thinking companies have succeeded in establishing exciting and enjoyable working environments that employees want to be in. As simple as adding a table tennis table to the break room, adding candy dispensers to the decor, or designing more inspiring breakout spaces with humorous messages are all examples of how you can inject some fun into your workplace. These actions show the company’s desire to engage with the workforce.
Particularly when it comes to the colors you choose for your office, a fun interior design concept may be a terrific tool for inspiring and energizing your workers. Yellow, blue, and orange are vivid and striking colors that enhance happiness and productivity. Use vivid office accents, particular feature walls, vibrant commercial carpets, and carpet tiling to incorporate these colors.
The multi-sensory approach to interior design has grown significantly recently, and this can be a terrific tool for boosting productivity. Pine, peppermint, and citrus can be used as sprays, diffusers, and plug-in air fresheners to increase alertness, mood, and energy. Another sensation that has previously been neglected in office design is hearing. Allowing employees to use headphones to filter out noise is another wise move. Seated, quiet rooms might be ideal for them to focus away from the bustling office.
4) Promote the development of ideas
The interior design concept of many forward-thinking companies’ offices has idea generation built-in. You may promote innovation and new ideas by giving your workers a place to store and present images. This could be achieved with a whiteboard that anybody can write on. A wall for workers for post-it notes or a meeting space where the entire company can discuss fresh ideas. Designating an area for ideas isolated from the rest of the office enables people to study concepts, exercise, and feel engaged and motivated by the organization.
When we think of branding in the workplace, we often think of big, bold graphics, logos, and signs. But does that show what a company stands for and its mission?
Before deciding on the right branding strategy for an office, knowing what an organization stands for is essential. A workplace design that reflects brand values encourages teamwork and mentorship while giving employees a sense of belonging. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. A strong workplace strategy encouraging people to be themselves is the key to thoughtful, brand-centered design.
A Reflection of Company Values
While developing and implementing effective workspace design, workplace strategists and designers must consider a company’s needs. How an organization and its employees’ function will significantly impact design decisions, ensuring that procedures speak to the brand, enhance productivity, and promote employee morale. Designers may create an inspirational office atmosphere that seems both new and familiar by communicating a brand’s ideals with authenticity in mind.
Through workshops, visioning exercises, branding brainstorms, and artistic work sessions, strategists can uncover an organization’s values using an ethnographic approach. These qualitative methods are intended to extract information that will assist clients in identifying their objectives and the story they wish to convey through their space.
As a result, designers may develop spaces that reflect an organization’s needs, down to the minor aspects that may have been overlooked. An in-depth study provides the information required to understand a firm’s core and how its employees function while maximizing how they interact within the space to convey a compelling brand story. Looking ahead and discussing business goals and a firm’s future can help optimize the office space, creating the flexibility required for long-term growth.
Workspace design captures and incorporates a brand’s culture and objective into the design. Creating a connection between the brand and the workplace goes beyond what we know of a standard branded environment. Instead, it develops micro-experiences contributing to a business’s actions, goals, and values.
Brand Authenticity and Thoughtful Workspace Design
Branding is about recognition, which means logos and advertising to most people. Workplace branding supports organizational values. Instead of heavy branding moments, authenticity can be shown through touchpoints that combine layers of information, Such as creating different experiences and zones that reflect the work being done or making spaces for employees’ well-being. It’s more about designing around the activity and what it needs than creating a specific branding moment. Wellness and yoga rooms have become more popular as employees return to work. However, even if the space is excellent, it doesn’t make a difference if the staff doesn’t use it because there is no connection. To truly reflect the brand, it’s essential that these spaces reflect what’s important to the company and its employees and that they actively encourage employees to use them.
A balance of subtle and robust branding helps reduce the likelihood of an office seeming too professional or overly cutesy. Factors such as materials, colors, images, and mixtures of spacious meeting places and quiet rooms can improve staff engagement when contrasted well enough to convey an organization’s personality. Key branding moments executed more creatively and experientially appear more integrated and combine components to communicate the brand story. Trends change, and what works in one workplace may not work in another. To endure the test of time, workplace designs must be timeless and adaptable so that they may expand as the company grows.
A Physical Expression of Corporate Culture
A connection to a physical location can raise mood, energize, and relax when created with a human-centric lens. Employees are at the heart of a company’s culture and must be nurtured in a positive environment.
The office can be a place of learning, growth, and socialization. The best workplaces make employees feel connected to the brand as soon as they enter. Organizations must realize how significant these characteristics are to their staff. Whether through high-impact times where cooperation thrives or moments of planned stillness that maximize workflow.
Workspace design that effectively translates employee demands and what a brand stands for empowers employees and promotes a healthy culture. A genuine connection to corporate values can improve employee retention, recruiting, and workplace evolution.
Over the last three years, striking a work-life balance has become more complex. Remote work has clearly drawn a line between the two, leading many people to identify primarily as having a work life and a home life. This viewpoint portrays the “office” — whether in person or two feet from their bedroom — as a stressful part of their day, where negative energy seeps into non-work hours. As a result, it is vital to consider human-centered office interior design as a driving force behind a successful office and its staff. Recognizing employee health and well-being opens users’ eyes to the possibilities of making the workplace a positive part of their day rather than a stressful part.
Why Do Offices Need Positive Energy?
A design approach based on emotions and feelings is all about creating stimulating surroundings that give power back to the user while also supporting their mental and physical wellness. Timeless, minimalistic interiors remove excess from the equation and focus the energy on the individuals in those physical places. We’ve all been in situations where we couldn’t concentrate because our workplace was unorganized or there was too much noise.
When there is a less visible distraction, our thoughts are likewise at rest. This leads to a positive and creative frame of mind that is free of tension. The idea is for that emotion to stay with the user throughout the day and for them to be excited to return to that sensation evoked by the thoughtfully-curated office interiors the next day. Changing mindsets is challenging, especially when you are not in a healthy environment that would assist you in making this beneficial mental adjustment. In a safe, familiar office, users are more likely to be vulnerable.
Implementing Energizing Design Concepts
We must build spaces where people desire to work and socialize in addition to instilling positive energy. It’s important to use design elements that stimulate the five senses and help employees feel confident in their surroundings. An open, uncomplicated layout connected by arches rather than lockable doors creates a needed flow and encourages healthy workplace interaction. Building such relationships has a safe environment free of public speaking apprehension. And in the chaos of a regular workweek, lounge rooms are better for comfort than work. A designated location for unwinding, sharing lunch with a coworker, or celebrating helps to keep the positive vibe cyclical. The following features indicate a pleasant, homey atmosphere and should be considered while creating workplace interiors.
Some Work, Some Play
Design considerations are not confined to building and furniture materials. Team building is essential for creating a happy, healthy workplace. And recreational places can break the daily monotony, embrace internal camaraderie, and generate more robust relationships between coworkers. Friendly competition on foosball, ping-pong, arcade, and pinball machines activates a brain region that is usually idle during the workday. Which makes breaks even more appealing.
When these tenets are satisfied, the team celebrates individual triumphs as much as group successes. Thus, instead of seeing going to work as a chore to maintain their 50/50 work-life “balance,” people look forward to continuing their work from the day before and coming in with an open mind.
Today’s office workers want soft home aspects, flexible furniture, and hybrid workspaces. As well as design touches that might be added to these functional places to inspire employees. Improved acoustics, sustainable structural characteristics, technology-backed buildings, and digital tools in conference rooms and shared areas are popular. Architects and designers must remain open-minded and focused on user well-being as office spaces adapt and grow.
This article is based on Fernanda Ruelas, Emotion’s Leading Role In Designing Positive Workplace Interiors, published in Work Design Magazine.
Read more office design tips and ideas on our blogs.
Companies and buildings are feeling pressure to do more for the environment, so they’re using sustainable practices to do so.The world of work is constantly evolving, so office design has to keep up. Here are five trends that we are seeing that will continue into 2023.
The office sector will have to adapt to new ways of design that are more eco-conscious, and this is already being seen.
Organizations can be expected to integrate the remote and in-person employee experience by installing new, flexible technology within meeting rooms, common areas, and individual offices.
The multi-modal design also impacts the post-pandemic workplace due to its benefits to workers.
Workplace design is being pulled in a million different directions. But it must also be flexible, sustainable, data-driven, multi-model, and integrate all necessary and new technologies. Here are the top five workplace design trends that will make their way into 2023.
1. Net zero buildings will gain more momentum
Net zero means reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible to zero. For a long time, net zero buildings have been gaining popularity. As the world continues to suffer from climate change, more real estate companies may adopt the net zero approach.
About 40% of annual global carbon dioxide emissions come from buildings and construction. The future design of these buildings/offices will reduce carbon emissions by using sustainable materials and suppliers.
The office sector will have to adapt to new ways of design that are more eco-conscious, and this is already being seen — the best examples being La Jolla Commons in California and The Unisphere in Maryland.
2. Companies are solidifying how hybrid and remote work will shape the physical office space
Tim Gawel, Market Sector Leadership Associate Principal at sustainable design firm HED, told Allwork.Space Many organizations are unhappy with how their current office supports hybrid work and virtual interaction as 2022 winds down.
Companies have solidified their hybrid workplace policies and are looking to redesign their offices to support remote and in-person workers over the past six months. By installing new, flexible technology in meeting rooms, common areas, and offices, Gawel expects organizations to integrate the remote and in-person employee experience.
“Conference rooms with technological integrations that allow everyone to have the same on-camera appearance and audio quality are one of the major design elements we expect to see in the new year. We’ll also see technology enabling live working meetings with constant video and audio connectivity and the ability to move around the office while interacting with virtual employees. Gawel told Allwork.Space, “Organizations that consider the entire workplace, both virtual and in-person, in their 2023 renovations will have the edge over those who update their office furnishings.”
As employees return to the office and further embrace the hybrid experience, there is less need for individually “owned” spaces like closed offices. More emphasis is being placed on a team and community-centered areas that can be utilized for various events.
3. Data-driven design will be in demand as organizations create their office design strategies in the new year
Many organizations have approached facilities with a trial-and-error approach about what works best for their company and employees. The pandemic has shaken that tactic and created a demand for an evidence-based approach to office design.
The data-driven design considers worker behavior, such as office/coworking space activity.
Data-informed workplace design optimizes office space use by utilizing real-time data and trends, increasing productivity.
Gawel predicts an increase in facility analysis, user feedback, tech and furnishing prototypes, and space concept testing in 2023 to help companies make data-driven office design decisions.
4. Multi-modal design will optimize the future of work
Multi-modal strategy is making a significant impact in the post-pandemic workplace due to all that it offers.
This workplace design includes deep-focus spaces for quiet work, “soulful” spaces with comfortable and creative furniture and conversation nooks, innovation or event spaces, formal gathering spaces, and community spaces.
This design can help to break down silos and encourage greater collaboration and interpersonal encounters. These spaces allow more movement and usage because employees don’t have to remain at a desk or area.
“Multi-modal working combines layers of a well-considered, simple technology with pragmatic design solutions and is overlaid with storytelling and relevant experiences that optimize the work experience,” according to Forbes.
5. Offices are greenwashing rather than achieving biophilic/sustainable design
Companies and buildings are feeling pressure to do more for the environment, so they’re using sustainable practices.
Some are engaging in greenwashing instead of actual biophilic design; greenwashing is a false impression of sustainability. An office filled with aesthetically pleasing plants doesn’t mean that it isn’t still contributing to climate change.
You create a biophilic design by connecting people and nature within their built environments. The most effective biophilic method considers the environmental impact of every incorporated aspect, placing importance on sustainability over “green” looks.
Biophilia is becoming increasingly demanded by office workers. Because they want to accommodate workers and get them back to work, companies are listening more.
If organizations want to be sustainable, save money, and gain social popularity, they must become truly green, not just greenwashed.
As the new year begins, Dezeen asked 12 interior designers and architects about their predictions for the interior design trends that will dominate in 2023.
Interiors feature maximalism and weirdness.
British interior designers Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead of 2LG Studio believe interior design will be wilder and weirder this year.
“It’s violent time we are living in,” the duo told Dezeen. “There is anger in the world, and design needs to reflect that dynamism and not shy away from it. The deco period has been important to design for several years, and we are now looking to expressionism and cubism for bold inspiration.”
“Weirdness has always been there, and we’ve always been here for it. Think Haas Brothers. But now it feels like we are in such a wild historical moment that weird is becoming the norm. See Nicolas Devlin and Charlotte Kingsnorth.”
“When the world gets too weird to comprehend, the designs of the moment reflect that. Let’s all get weird and express our wonderfulness.”
One of the overarching 2023 design trends looks to be maximalism as the world gradually moves on from the more pared-back interior designs that have been popular over the past two years.
“Last year saw a shift towards maximalism, experimenting with patterns and rich color schemes,” Sanchit Arora of New Delhi studio Renesa told Dezeen.
“This year will continue this trend with a fresher fervor. There will be bold and forward designs that give increased personality to the space. For both commercial and residential areas, clients opt for customized patterns and colors rather than conformable products that suit just any space but compromise on standing out.”
Bolder colors and prints will take center stage.
While interiors last year often bore a discrete, natural color palette – as evidenced by the homes in our list of top 10 home interiors of 2022 – 2023 look set to be color-drenched.
“I think I am seeing, after a few years of a mostly conservative approach to color, a more fresh and daring use of color,” Raúl Sánchez, founder of Barcelona studio Raúl Sánchez Architects, told Dezeen.
“We are leaving the haven of neutrals and stepping into a rainbow!” added interior designer Pallavi Dean of Roar.
“The safe beige, grey and white walls are on their way out, and we are experimenting with bold hues and darker tones to add depth to the space,” she added.
“Tread with caution when you choose your shade; it can impact your mood and change your perception of the size of your space.”
Spatial designer Adi Goodrich thinks color will be especially prominent in kitchen interiors.
“I think people are finally embracing color and will choose to redesign their kitchens in a wash of color,” she told Dezeen.
According to interior designer Kelly Hoppen, neutrals are firm but increasingly complemented by bold prints.
“The way we use our homes has evolved over the last few years as we appreciate the comfort and warmth of our own spaces, especially as many people are still in part working remotely or hybrid working,” she told Dezeen.
“This will continue to reflect our color choices, and so for multifunctional yet homey rooms, calming neutrals will be favored, including cozy greys to classic beiges and taupes,” Hoppen added.
“That said, bold prints are making a resurgence, and the asymmetrical feel in rooms will be huge. Wallpaper, which is also coming back, will be used through 2023 decor. For example, textural walls can be used as a backdrop for artwork or asymmetrical wallpaper borders to add contrast.”
Rich and tactile materials dominate
According to the designers, tactile, rich materials will be prevalent in the coming year.
“We are craving a ‘multi-sensory palette,” said Dean.
“The recent pandemic deprived us of one of our most ‘human’ senses: touch. In response, I feel it will become increasingly important for designers to use materials that bring tactility to the interior scheme and devise spaces that provoke emotion in its users.”
“In the post-pandemic space, the well-being of the end user is considered more than ever,” agreed interior designer Tola Ojuolape.
“Humble materials and finishes that give rise to a relaxed sophistication will continue to dominate the interior design trend landscape. Lime plaster walls and finish, brick, and natural wool will be visible.”
Meanwhile, an increasing appetite for bold designs could lead to some currently popular materials falling out of favor.
“I think the era of birch plywood might be coming to an end,” Goodrich said. “I believe richer woods like walnut, cherry, and red oak will be seen more in interiors moving forward.”
“Bold, colorful marbles balanced with neutrals will be particularly trendy,” predicted Hoppen. “People will be eating in a lot more in 2023, so table tops (especially marble) and dining spaces will make a huge comeback–perfect for those looking to entertain.”
Studios are also open to working with new materials this year as they strive for more sustainable designs.
“Materiality excites us as a studio,” 2LG said. “Mushrooms are going to become more important. Brands like Mylo Unleather are making waves and getting us excited about mushrooms’ possibilities as an ethical and sustainable alternative to animal skin.”
Interior designer Kelly Wearstler agreed: “Sustainability will continue to live at the forefront of all design conversations and innovations. I have been very interested in the rise of mushroom leather.”
“This fabric innovation has already been revolutionary for the fashion industry, offering a sustainable alternative,” she added. “I expect we will continue to see its presence grow within interiors and design.”
Sustainability is becoming a “necessity.”
Designers are also more focused on Sustainability than ever before and wary of greenwashing.
“Sustainability is an evolving subject in the interior space; this will continue in 2023,” Ojuolape predicted.
“Designers will continue to find ways to ensure it is considered and adapted into the life cycle of an interior project from the onset.”
“Intentional and deliberate education will continue to ensure resourceful materials selections, upcycling and reuse of furniture, and smart reduction of plastics and waste,” she added.
“As we confront ourselves with the ever-increasing issues of energy consumption and global warming, interior design projects will be greatly affected in many aspects,” Japanese designer Keiji Ashizawa predicted.
“I believe projects that trace the context of sustainability will become a necessity, and it will no longer be something that is merely spoken about as an idealized concept,” he added.
“I think it’s safe to say we are all sensitized to greenwashing,” Dean said.
“Designers and clients are better educated about their work’s impact on the environment and steer clear from box-ticking certification goals. Instead, the focus is on long-term strategies – waste disposal, efficient MEP systems, and better construction methodologies.”
Human connection meaningful after the pandemic
The importance of working together as a community was also highlighted by many of the designers Dezeen spoke to.
“Due to the pandemic, we have all been more or less isolated – so what we see is a longing for truly connecting and interacting with the world around us again,” said Norm Architects partner Frederik Werner.
“Translate that into the field of interior design – and we see how we seek tactility, sensibility, and natural materials in the constant pursuit of well-being.”
Australia-based designer Danielle Brustman agreed, saying: “There seems to be a sculptural and more organic design trend growing in interior design. There is a return to the soft curve and using more organic materials. We have all been rocked by the Covid pandemic, and I think people require some nurturing.”
Organic and collaborative design is set to grow after the pandemic. The image is of Forest Retreat by Norm Architects.
This theme of the community will also play out in the production of design projects, predicts Ashizawa.
“After experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic, I believe there will be more opportunity to reflect on the community – along with the cost of import and logistics leading to a slower progression of projects,” he said.
“This would spur the expansion of community-based projects that focus on cultural values of local production for local consumption.”
Similarly, Alex Mok of interior design studio Linehouse believes the difficulty of the past year will enhance the need for collaboration.
“2022 was a difficult year for many countries and cultures, so we look towards 2023 with a focus on human connection, authenticity, and social interaction,” she told Dezeen.
“We’re seeing a greater consideration on the use and purpose of spaces beyond form and instead activating communities. We hope to see more projects revitalizing existing buildings or connecting to local crafts.”
Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, office interior design plays a critical role in creating a productive work environment. Sustainable design improves employee health while increasing productivity and lowering operating costs. We recommend researching before beginning your search for a dependable commercial fit-out contractor.
Finding the best contractor for your interior fit-out requires some legwork. The last thing you want to do is choose a company randomly and then be surprised by problems that may arise later. You are not just selecting a contractor; you are selecting a partner who will implement your ideas and collaborate with you and other team members (e.g., interior designer/architect) to bring your vision to life.
Choosing the Right Fit-Out Contractor
When selecting a contractor to oversee your fit-out project, these simple steps can mean the difference between complete confidence and sleepless nights. Here are some pointers to help narrow your search for the ideal interior fit-out company.
What You Should Do
1. Prepare a Detailed Brief
Before the project begins, hire experts to create detailed guidelines. It should include information about your company, employees, needs, and facilities. Discuss the fit-out with your team. The brief should consist of a schedule and budget.
2. Obtain the Required Permissions
Ensure that your fit-out contractor is knowledgeable about any regulatory approvals that may be required and that your proposed works are by health and safety and building codes. If you don’t own your office space, make sure your fit-out contractor gets permission from the landlord.
3. Do Your Homework
Research is vital. Determine which commercial fit-out contractors are the best in your area.
Make use of the resources listed below:
Internet research: business and industry websites, news articles
Customer referrals
Industry associations
Concentrate your search on companies with a reputation for honesty, professionalism, and industry knowledge.
4. “Think Green & Sustainable.”
Consider contractors with a long-term vision who can design and deliver energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective designs. Research has shown that “green offices” increase profitability due to higher employee productivity and lower operational costs.
The criteria to consider are sustainable sites, water efficiency, optimized energy performance, minimized energy use, use of materials with recycled content, waste management, and indoor environmental quality.
5. Create a Shortlist
After you’ve completed your research, you’re ready to narrow down the companies that offer interior fit-out services in your area. How do you choose among them?
Prepare a list of 2-3 companies with whom you’d like to work and who can execute your vision and offer improvements. You may need to add to or remove from the shortlist.
6. Do Background Checks
Check the Portfolio: Assess the company’s portfolio to determine the breadth and relevance of its experience.
Obtain Client Feedback: Contact previous clients (at least three) and ask them to rate the contractor on critical deliverables such as quality, responsiveness, value for money, service level, and delivery on a scale of 1 to 10. If the overall score from the three clients is unsatisfactory, you know that contractor must be removed from your list.
Check Financial Stability: Make sure that any company you are considering has the financial resources to complete the project and can negotiate the best prices for materials and services on your behalf.
Pay On-site Visits: Go to their most recent completed project because a contractor is only as good as their most recent.
Pay Office Visit: Pay a visit to their place of business. A visit to a company’s premises can teach you much about it. Are they well-organized? Do the employees appear to be happy and engaged? Is the office in good shape?
7. Request Proposals for Design and Fit Out
Distribute the design brief to your shortlisted companies and request that they submit a proposal by a specific deadline.
Evaluate them on the following criteria:
Understanding of the Design Brief
Work requirements or considerations
Cost breakdown
Options and their associated costs
Timetable for delivery with milestones
Assumptions exclusions
Contract terms and conditions include insurance, liabilities, payment terms, and conflict resolution terms, among other things.
Follow-up or after-delivery service, if applicable.
8. Interview Candidates
Interview your candidates and pay close attention not only to their responses but also to how they respond.
Conduct phone and in-person interviews to thoroughly assess the people you will be working with.
Do they have the knowledge, experience, and collaborative attitude?
What is the mechanism in place for weekly written and verbal reporting?
9. Criteria for Selection
Create a scoring chart and assign a score to each company on your shortlist based on key deliverables such as design proposals, client recommendations, budget, timeframe, and experience.
After doing all your research, don’t forget to trust your instincts.
Working with any company entails far more than just nuts and bolts. Cooperation and collaboration must be ingrained in a company’s practices and people. All else being equal, choose people you like and trust because they will make communication and project management less stressful.
What to Avoid
1. Do Not Set an Unrealistic Budget
Hire the best contractor you can afford at all times. Reputable, experienced fit-out contractors can provide you with a clear budget that includes cost breakdowns and a list of options.
Always consider cost efficiency; never take the cheapest offer.
Hiring a low-cost contractor can be a costly mistake because low-cost contractors are not the best at generating accurate bids.
A bid that appears low at the outset may not have considered additional cost variations that may occur during the project. It will result from either a deliberate attempt to “lowball” the bid or inexperience. Knowing that change orders are a given in any project will help you save money in the long run.
Change orders require a contract amendment, which has time and cost implications. Few interior fit-out projects are completed without change orders, but they can be costly.
Hiring an inexperienced, low-cost commercial fit-out contractor may result in more change orders than hiring someone with experience.
2. Do Not Set an Impossible Timeframe
What has been said about budgets also applies to work schedules. Money is equal to time. Any contractor who gives you a significantly lower estimate for project completion is either inexperienced or deceiving you. Make sure that all steps are completed in a reasonable amount of time and that no corners are cut.
3. Don’t Just Take Their Word For It
Honest fit-out contractors will want to get everything in writing because it protects both them and the client. Ensure that everything discussed and agreed upon is documented. Many inexperienced contractors are willing to agree to almost anything verbally to win a contract. However, during execution, you will be surprised at how bad a contractor’s memory can become.
You must be able to provide evidence and written acknowledgment of all communications and agreements.
Once you’ve chosen a contractor, ensure you understand the contract terms. Before signing a contract, consult with your legal advisor and any other professional advisors.
4. Do Not Overlook Regulatory, Building, and Health and Safety Regulations
Regulatory approvals are required for all projects, and specific works require building control approval. Make sure that your chosen contractor is aware of all relevant laws and regulations and can ensure compliance with local standards before work begins.
Using a reputable commercial fit-out company will ensure that these issues are adequately addressed.
Local governments are responsible for building safety by implementing unified building codes that address construction safety and fire protection issues.
5. Look Beyond the Bottom Line
When choosing a contractor to assist you with your fit-out, look for a company with values, vision, and commitment, not just the elements involved in the execution, such as timeframe and budget.
Choose a company that is aware of the latest design and technology trends and a leader rather than a follower in its field. Your office interior design expresses your company’s values and brand; choose a partner who can help you articulate that most dynamically and appealingly possible.
Choosing the Best Commercial Fit-Out Contractor Candidate
Selecting a commercial fit-out contractor for your new office or existing facility is a major undertaking. This is the final step in preparing your offices for human occupancy. Since your employees will be spending most of their day in these facilities, it is critical that your office environment is safe and healthy and promotes productivity while minimizing environmental impact. Given that your office fit-out may be the first thing, clients and partners notice when they visit, it must reflect your company’s values and brand.
During your selection process, keep the “Do’s and Don’ts” in mind. Do not rely solely on an internet search. An excellent website is an excellent place to start, but it should only be the beginning of your research. Finally, the best candidates will be those who can demonstrate, with tangible evidence, the following:
Knowledge and Experience
Reputation
Sustainable Design and Fittings
Quality
On-Time Delivery
Support (Before, During & After the Project)
Commitment and Reliability
SDW Realty Delivers High-Quality and Sustainable Fit-Outs
SDW Realty is the ideal partner to help you complete your fit-out successfully. A leading design and build firm in the Philippines, SDW is a premier fit-out contractor. For the past ten years, SDW has provided exceptional service to its clients, which range from government agencies to multinational corporations and small businesses. It has completed over 300 projects with a client satisfaction rating of 92%.
SDW Realty takes sustainability seriously and incorporates it into every step of the design and execution process. SDW follows the international ISO 9001: 2015 quality management system for all projects. Putting its clients’ needs first and assisting them to:
Achieve their environmental goals by improving building energy, water, and resource efficiency.
Make inspiring workplaces in order to improve employees’ health and happiness; and
Deliver operational savings, increase the value of the building, and reduce utility costs.
What comes to mind when you think of corporate office design? Is the overhead lighting bright and the walls white? Open, spacious workspaces? These are all common ideas about what office space is or should be, but businesses are beginning to move away from these design trends. Today’s offices are more personalized and geared toward meeting the needs of their employees.
What Office Design Trends to Expect in 2023?
Though numerous factors influence office design, we’ve identified five common trends. They are as follows:
Creating a Sense of Place at Work
Including Associate Feedback in the Design
Modular Construction
Providing a Variety of Workspaces to Accommodate Various Work Styles
Promoting Workplace Well-being
Below, we’ll go through each trend in more detail. Explaining what it means to design, how to apply the concept, and instances of trends in prior works.
Creating a Sense of Place at Work
Placemaking identifies distinctive community characteristics that speak to the culture, environment, and people. This concept has long been a driving factor in airport planning and design. It is now beginning to inform corporate office design. To apply this office design trend to the corporate world, look for unique qualities within a company’s culture to inspire innovation. Placemaking has been linked to increased job satisfaction and motivation in the workplace. You can combine community inspiration and corporate culture to create an inviting and engaging office space.
Incorporate community elements into your design by including artwork by local artists or using natural materials. Consider the company’s culture for the color palette and office layout inspiration. If a company values teamwork, the design can reflect this by including numerous open spaces for employees to gather and collaborate.
Thorough research is required to portray community and corporate culture adequately. Look to your community’s museums and cultural centers for ideas. Also, have open conversations with leadership and associates to get a sense of corporate culture.
Including Associate Feedback in the Design
Survey company representatives at all levels before beginning the design process. Inquire about any issues or challenges they are experiencing in their current office so they can be addressed. You may find agreement from all departments, but you may also discover a problem that one department is experiencing and, through design, help to resolve the issue.
You can also solicit associate feedback on design elements such as the color palette and onsite amenities. Surveying associates can assist you in developing a consistent design vision while informing your associates that their feedback is required to create a successful workspace.
Modular Construction
Modular construction is a method in which a building is built offsite in modules and assembled onsite. The same materials and building regulations are used in modular construction as in traditional construction. Prefabricated walls, room dividers, and flooring are examples of modular elements.
This construction method is gaining traction in various market sectors because it provides several strategic advantages, including constructing building components and systems in factory-controlled environments in locations less impacted by labor shortages. Modular construction is ideal for projects that must be completed quickly. Because most of the building is done offsite, disruption should occur only when the modular elements are ready for installation.
Modular construction also allows flexibility, allowing you to meet the critical needs of various departments during construction and in the future. During the initial construction phase, you may discover that different departments require a different number of private offices; modular construction will assist in addressing this concern. If one department grows in the future, you can expand quickly and with minimal disruptions.
Providing a Variety of Workspaces to Accommodate Various Work Styles
There are fewer private office spaces in many corporate offices today, as open-concept floor plans have taken over to increase collaboration. There is a shift now from open offices to offices with various workspaces. As associates return to work in the office, they want the same balance and choice in workspaces they had at home.
Smaller conference rooms where groups can brainstorm can help to increase collaboration, and pods in quiet areas of the office can help to increase privacy. These options allow associates to work wherever they want based on the task.
Promoting Workplace Well-being
Design can do a lot to improve employee comfort and productivity. Incorporate bright, uplifting colors, designate areas for associates to step outside, and, if space permits, include exterior windows that allow plenty of sunlight.
Improving workplace amenities can assist you in promoting well-being while also attracting and retaining employees. A break room with a ping-pong table or a relaxation pod lets employees relax and unwind.
Lunch breaks can be difficult to squeeze into a busy schedule, especially if your office is in the suburbs. Onsite cafes allow associates to take a break and grab a coffee or lunch while remaining in the office. Some restaurants are simple, with self-service coffee and grab-and-go items, while others are elaborate, with various made-to-order stations.
Whether you want to make minor office improvements or completely renovate a space, these office design trends can help you conceptualize an office appealing to both recruits and associates returning from home.
If you want to know how to incorporate these guiding trends into your next office upgrade, contact our interior design team.
Due to the office’s evolution and transformation, expectations, projections, and goals are more divergent than ever. Office design will evolve to adapt to changing markets and new strategies.
Here are some office design trends that will define workplaces for companies.
One of the things you can do to move an organization forward is to pay attention to the physiological well-being of the employees. Many organizations consider the office environment a significant factor in an efficient workforce. Successful and flexible firms boost organizational performance by designing productive office spaces and maximizing space. Here we name five office design trends you can use to update your office workspace.
1. Dynamic and Flexible Design
As the workforce is becoming younger, a dynamic and flexible office interior is becoming more in demand and preferred. Such is because the new breed of workforce dislikes the traditional office setup. They want more personal spaces and to be able to work when they want and where they want it.
Indeed, dynamic and flexible workspaces with lightweight, movable, and multi-functional furniture may be the millennial-approved workspace design. Rearranging this style of workspace according to mood or taste is easy. Undoubtedly, changing things from time to time can help to clear the air and refresh perspectives. This design is also cost-effective because it requires little setup time and is not permanent. This type of design property will be helpful for any future workplace updates.
2. Modular Office Design
Although modular office design may seem dynamic and adaptable, it is determined by “interchangeability.” In addition to the apparent benefit of rearranging furniture, there are many other creative uses for it. Modular furniture consists of separate parts that can be combined and rearranged in various configurations.
Certainly, modular office layouts give workers various ways to set up their workstations, sparking their creativity.
It is a strategy to help employees stay creative, active, and highly productive. Employees can easily reimagine their workstations to optimize their time at the office. The modular design also future-proofs an office as it can help it adjust to the changing dynamics of the workplace and employees. (What is Modular Office Design? | Inspiring Workspaces by BOS, 2018)
3. Better Illuminance and Lighting
Smolders, de Kort, and Cluitmans (2012) found that a high or reasonable amount of radiance induces alertness during office hours. The same study concluded that exposure to higher illuminance could improve the employee’s subjective feelings of attention and, simultaneously, measurable performance (Smolders et al., 2012).
Lighting and illumination are not new concepts in industrial design, but the methods for improving lighting in workspaces have evolved and become much more modern. Significant trends include biophilic design, bringing nature into the office, and natural lighting from floor-to-ceiling windows. Certainly, the use of traditional lighting by combining different lights when large windows cannot be opened.
4. Monochromatic Design
Monochromatic is a style that contains or uses only one color. By definition, it does sound like the most boring design. However, monochromatic color designs can make a space look clean, crisp, and elegant. It makes a simplistic approach of stripping off the unnecessary and focusing on the core functional experience. (A minimalist and monochromatic office design – Build Australia, 2018)
Three elements can help pull off a successful monochromatic interior design: choosing the right color palette, choosing a monochromatic textile, and accenting with monochrome patterns (Lori, 2017). A black-and-white monochromatic design can transform an old workplace into a sleek and edgy one, while a blue monochromatic design can be very playful. Another method for integrating the brand into the workplace is using color and pattern. The intelligent use of color and patterns can make the workplace lively.
5. Sustainability
Office environments continue transforming from formal and impersonal workplaces to inspired and wellness-focused spaces. This trend is called sustainability. According to Eco life’s blog, sustainable design is a mindful intention to reduce negative environmental impacts through thoughtful design with energy-efficient technology, sustainably sourced materials, and other natural and greener choices.
Sustainability is not just about choosing greener options; the workplace should be used in the best way possible to avoid wasting resources, time, and space. Sustainability encourages buildings and nature to work together in a good way for the environment. As more and more businesses get better tools to work toward a greener and more sustainable future, more and more green and sustainable options are becoming available. Environmental risks have pushed big and small companies to research sustainable design and make it part of their corporate social responsibility as a promise to society. If more companies follow this trend toward green design, it could show the rest of the world how to go green.
Plan to remodel your office this year? Seek expert advice.
SDW Realty is an experienced fit-out construction company working with the country’s most prominent brands in the Philippines. Let us work together to achieve your design visions just like what we did with our other clients. To see our portfolio, click here.
Resources:
1. A minimalist and monochromatic office design – Build Australia. (2018). Build Australia. https://www.buildaustralia.com.au/gd/the-minimalist-monochromatic-design-behind-candlefoxs-hq/
2. What is Modular Office Design? | Inspiring Workspaces by BOS. (2018, December 17). Inspiring Workspaces by BOS. https://www.bos.com/inspired/what-is-modular-office-design/
3. Sterkenberg, Z. (2019, November 13). Office Futures: The Office Design Trends of 2020. Ambius.Com; Greener on the Inside. https://www.ambius.com/blog/2020-office-design-trends/
It’s no secret that the right workspace can make all the difference for a company. A well-designed office or workplace can inspire employees, boost productivity, and create a positive company culture. But what if your current space isn’t quite right? Or what if you’re in the market for a new workspace but don’t know where to start?
SDW was commissioned to create a workspace for AC Energy Holdings, Inc., a firm dedicated to developing a portfolio of power generation resources using both renewable and conventional technology. AC Energy Holdings, based in Makati City, Philippines, is looking for a place with a simple aesthetic and enough personality to allow its brand to blend in.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key factors we considered in designing the new workspace for AC Energy.
The Benefits of a Good Workspace
A well-designed workspace can do wonders for a company. It not only provides a place for employees to work, but it can also help boost morale and increase productivity.
When employees are comfortable in their surroundings, they’re more likely to be productive. A good workspace has to be designed with the needs of the company in mind.
Think about it: when you’re surrounded by things that inspire you, it’s easier to be creative and come up with new ideas. That’s why it’s so important for a company to have a workspace that feels like “home.” It should reflect the brand and culture of the company, and help employees feel connected to their work.
One of the numerous meeting rooms with polished concrete walls and wooden ceiling trellises. Wind turbine blades decorated the space.
How to Design the Perfect Workspace
There are a few key things we kept in mind in designing this office space. First, we made sure it is functional. The employees need to be able to work comfortably and have everything they need at their fingertips.
Second, we take into account how the employees should feel. They should feel inspired and motivated, not cramped and uncomfortable. So we made sure there are plenty of space for them to move around and collaborate.
Finally, we added some personality. Making the space feel like home by adding some personal touches that reflect AC Energy’s brand. A little bit of creativity can go a long way in making employees feel valued and appreciated.
High STC ratings in meeting spaces were stated in the design brief. The main boardroom featured Smith & Fong’s Plyboo, a renewable bamboo panel with a sound-absorbing substance.
The Five Elements of a Good Workspace
When it comes to workspaces, there are five important elements to keep in mind: function, comfort, privacy, esthetics, and culture.
If you’re not sure what your company’s workspace should look like, start by thinking about these five elements. Ask yourself: what is the primary function of this space? What kind of comfort do we want our employees to feel? How much privacy do we need? What kind of aesthetics will make our company feel like it belongs in this space? And finally, what type of culture do we want to encourage in our employees?
By keeping these five elements in mind, we created a workspace for AC Energy Holdings that is not only functional and comfortable but also stylish and reflective of the company’s culture.
Simplifying furniture design to create spatial stability.
The Importance of Ergonomics in the Workplace
When it comes to the workplace, ergonomics is key. To focus on their work employees must be comfortable. And the space should reflect the company’s brand, so employees feel like they’re part of a team. SDW was tasked to create a simple workspace with enough personality to meet the client’s identity.
Together, AC Energy and the SDW collaborated to design an elegant and functional facility. By incorporating vivid hues and cutting-edge furnishings, we developed a space that was both inspiring and energizing. We also made sure to use ergonomic principles in the design so employees would be able to stay comfortable all day long.
The employee lounge is separated from other sections by wooden cupboards and trellises. Most elements are left exposed, including polished concrete floors, cement board partitions, and exposed ceilings. This rustic concept contrasts beautifully with glass and black American walnut casework and joinery, creating a modern industrial office atmosphere.
How to Choose the Right Workspace
When it comes to choosing the right workspace, there are a few things to consider.
First, you need to think about your target audience. Who is your company targeting? What type of office environment will appeal to them? Once you have an idea of what your target market wants, you can start thinking about the design and layout of your space.
Second, you need to think about your company’s culture and brand. What type of atmosphere do you want to create? How important is it for your employees to feel like their brand is reflected in the space they work in?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’re ready to start looking for spaces that fit your needs. SDW is here to help make the process easier for you.
The garden and lounge on the terrace overlooking Ayala Makati help cool the interiors in the warm tropical climate.
Conclusion
A well-designed and executed office space can make a profound impact on your company’s success. From boosting productivity and creativity to improving employee satisfaction and morale, a great workspace can help your team work smarter and happier.
SDW is proud to have been a part of AC Energy Holdings, Inc.’s new office fit-out. Our team worked closely with the client to create a workspace that was stylish, functional, and reflective of the company’s values. If you’re in the market for a new office or are looking to renovate your current space, please contact us for more information. We would be happy to help!
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