Is your office space designed for optimum efficiency? Most of us spend the majority of our time cooped up in the office, which, more often that not is a small cubicle that doesn’t allow for privacy, space, creativity or inspiration. That’s why it’s important to personalize your workspace (or home away from home). Office space designs require a tremendous amount of thought and consideration. While there are many common approaches to designing office space, finding the right design that works for you and your employees could be the key to a successful business.
For instance, space plays a major role in efficiency. Think about the way a chef works in the kitchen. They have to be precise, quick and careful. In order to do this effectively, they have to have an organized mise en place, or space. A mise en place literally means “put in place” and refers to a chef’s station where they keep all of the items they need to prepare food. This triangular station allows them to stand in one spot, gather ingredients, pivot to one side and work at the stovetop.
The same concept can be applied to an office workstation. Here are some tips for office space design that can help you increase efficiency and quickness:
Open Office Space Designs
Many offices have converted to an open office space design to stimulate better communication among employees. There are, however, limits to what you can do to work spaces in an open office. The layout of office furniture becomes limited by the lack of office walls or cubicle partitions. When possible, choose to set up workstations in corner spaces so that each station has two walls. Then, use an L-shaped desk with a filing drawer to create a triangular space in which to work.
Private Office Space Designs
Some organizations find that by giving each employee a private office with a window, they increase morale and promote a sense of importance. In fact, the quality of this type of office design can have an impact on self-image, motivation and enthusiasm, creating an environment that raises productivity and efficiency. The downside to private offices is that they create a mentality that segregates employees as individuals. This lack of teamwork mindset can be solved with great design. By creating an “intersection” in the middle of the office where employees can meet, you can give your office a centralized feel that brings everyone together. This “intersection” can house things like fax and copy machines, message boards or work counters.
Designs with Floor to Ceiling Windows
Office designs with floor to ceiling windows provide a great amount of natural light and a tremendous view, but they can also pose some challenges for workspace layout. In this layout, desks are usually positioned on one wall, with a filing cabinet on the opposite wall. When possible, you should use utilize the wall space on the same wall as your door, or use an L-shaped desk to create a smaller workspace triangle.
Quite possibly the most crucial aspect of office space design is working with the right designer. Hire a good designer with whom you can freely share your opinions. Being able to point out the things you like and dislike will help the process more along more effectively. Plus, it allows both parties to be upfront with each other at all times, creating an environment where coordination and planning efforts are at their peak.
If your company is looking for office space that can provide your business with optimum efficiency, then contact The Sundance Company today. With more than 1.5 million square feet of office and industrial space available in prime Boise and Meridian locations, The Sundance Company has the experience to help you with your commercial real estate needs in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and the greater Treasure Valley.
Please check out The Sundance Company website to view property photos, search for office space or learn more about Sundance’s start-to-finish capabilities. If you prefer to talk to someone in person about your commercial real estate needs, then just give us a call at our Boise office, (208) 322-7300.
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