Types of office layouts

Choosing the right office layout is essential for creating a productive and engaging work environment. The design of your office space can greatly influence employee productivity, satisfaction, and overall workplace culture. Here, we delve into various types of office layouts, each specifically designed to cater to different business needs and employee preferences. Understanding these options will help you make an informed decision that enhances efficiency and fosters a positive work atmosphere.

Cellular Office Style

The cellular office layout is a classic design that partitions the workspace into individual offices or rooms. Each enclosed area is separated by walls and doors, offering a high degree of privacy. This layout is particularly well-suited for roles that demand confidentiality and focused work. The separation of space allows employees to concentrate without interruptions, while still providing the flexibility to adapt to various needs within the office.

Solutions: To maximise the benefits of a cellular office layout, consider incorporating effective soundproofing materials and selecting high-quality office furniture. A well-designed office layout can significantly contribute to productivity and comfort. Explore our office furniture solutions and interior design services to enhance your cellular office setup.

Best For: Legal and financial services, HR departments, and businesses requiring a high level of confidentiality.

Pros: Enhanced privacy and security, reduced noise levels, and personal control over the work environment.

Cons: May limit opportunities for spontaneous collaboration and can lead to higher costs due to the construction of partitions and maintenance.

Mixed Office Layout

A mixed office layout strikes a balance between private and collaborative spaces. This design includes a combination of single offices and open team areas. It is ideal for businesses that require both focused workspaces and areas that foster team interaction. The flexibility inherent in this layout allows organisations to cater to diverse working styles and job functions.

Solutions: Implementing versatile office furniture and adaptable workspace designs can enhance the functionality of a mixed layout. Expert consultancy can help optimise space and ensure that each area is effectively utilised.

Best For: Medium to large enterprises with varied work needs and employee preferences.

Pros: Flexibility to accommodate different work styles, a mix of privacy and collaboration opportunities, and adaptability to evolving business needs.

Cons: The complexity of design might lead to underutilisation of some areas if not properly managed.

Open Plan Layout (Task Focused)

Open Plan Office Layouts bring a mix of advantages and disadvantages. With Open Plan Layouts, it is important to understand they type of work being carried out in the area, and design around the type of workspaces people need.

In a Task Focused open plan layout, the office is designed with large, unobstructed spaces that are organised to support specific tasks, or even group teams together to enable better communication. This layout fosters efficiency by grouping similar tasks together, allowing for streamlined workflows and easy movement between task areas. It is ideal for environments where clear, task-oriented processes are critical.

This type of layout can sometimes be called a Bullpen Office Layout.

Solutions: Implementing versatile office furniture and adaptable workspace designs can enhance the functionality of a mixed layout. Expert consultancy can help optimise space and ensure that each area is effectively utilised.

Best For: Businesses that need to optimise workflow efficiency, streamline operations, or maximise space per person.

Pros: Facilitates clear workflow, maximises space utilisation, and enhances team communication within task-specific areas.

Cons: The lack of privacy can lead to distractions, and noise levels may be higher due to the open nature of the design.

Open Plan Layout (Collaborative)

The open plan (collaborative) layout is designed to encourage interaction and teamwork by creating expansive, open areas that facilitate easy communication and collaboration. This design often includes both shared workspaces and dedicated team zones, fostering a culture of innovation and collective problem-solving.

Solutions: To address privacy and noise issues, consider integrating acoustic panels and ergonomic furniture solutions. Creating well-planned collaborative spaces can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your office layout.

Best For: Creative industries, tech firms, and any business that prioritises collaboration and team engagement.

Pros: Promotes effective communication and teamwork, encourages spontaneous interaction, and can increase overall employee engagement.

Cons: The lack of privacy can lead to distractions, and noise levels may be higher due to the open nature of the design.

Partially Partitioned Layouts

Partial partitions use low-level walls or storage units to create defined spaces within an open office. This approach maintains an open aesthetic while providing a degree of separation for privacy and focus. It strikes a balance between the benefits of an open plan and the need for defined work areas.

Solutions: To optimise the use of partial partitions, consider incorporating modern partition solutions and effective storage options. A thoughtfully designed office layout can enhance both the visual appeal and functionality of the space.

Best For: Offices that need some level of privacy while retaining an open, cohesive look.

Pros: Provides a sense of privacy and space definition without obstructing the overall view, and can be easily adjusted or reconfigured.

Cons: May not offer complete privacy and can sometimes create visual clutter if not carefully designed.

What are the best office layouts based on number of employees?

Choosing the right office layout can depend on the size of your team. Here’s a rough guide to help you select the best office layout based on the number of employees:

• 1-10
• 10-20
• 20-50
• 50-100
• 100-200
• 200-300
• 300+

Best office layout for small businesses

1-10 Employees

Designing an office layout for a very small team of 1-10 employees requires a personalised approach to ensure each team member has a conducive work environment. With such a small headcount, it’s vital to create a space that balances privacy with opportunities for collaboration, promoting both productivity and team cohesion.

Considerations: In an office setup with 1-10 employees, each team member’s role and work style significantly influence the overall layout. Individuals who need quiet, focused environments can easily be distracted by those in more collaborative roles. Additionally, space equity is a common issue, where employees with different workspace needs might end up with similar setups, potentially impacting efficiency and comfort.

Recommendations: When designing a small office, survey each team member to understand their specific needs, including their work styles and the nature of their interactions. Implementing a mixed-use office layout can help balance the diverse requirements of the team. Flexible office furniture solutions that can be easily reconfigured will cater to different tasks and preferences. Incorporate quiet areas for concentrated work and communal spaces for collaboration to ensure everyone has a suitable environment. This tailored approach will create a productive and harmonious office space.

Best office layout for small businesses

10-20 Employees

Designing an office layout for a small team of 10-20 employees requires a strategic approach to balance collaboration and privacy. Given the limited number of employees, it is crucial to create a space that fosters teamwork while also providing quiet areas for focused work. Understanding the specific needs of each team member and their work styles can help in creating an efficient and comfortable workspace.

Considerations: In a small office setup with 10-20 employees, each department may only have one or two members who often share the same space. This can lead to interruptions and distractions, especially for those who need privacy and concentration while working. Balancing collaborative and individual work needs is crucial in this environment. Additionally, noise levels and maintaining a sense of dedicated space can be challenging but are essential for productivity.

Recommendations: Survey the needs of each team to determine the optimal mix of collaborative and private spaces. A mixed-use office layout that integrates both open-plan areas for teamwork and enclosed spaces for concentration can be highly effective. Consider using flexible office furniture to allow easy reconfiguration of spaces as needs change. Incorporating elements such as breakout zones, quiet pods, and collaborative hubs can enhance the work environment, making it more dynamic and supportive of various work styles.

Best office layout for Medium-sized businesses

20-50 Employees

When designing an office layout for a team of 20-50 employees, it’s essential to create distinct zones for different activities while maintaining an open, inviting atmosphere. With a growing number of staff, the layout should promote both individual focus and collaborative efforts, ensuring that space is used efficiently and effectively.

Considerations: For an office with 20-50 employees, creating distinct zones for different activities while maintaining an open, inviting atmosphere is essential. As departments grow, dedicated spaces for each team enhance focus and productivity. It is important to encourage interaction between teams to foster collaboration and innovation. The layout should prevent overcrowding and ensure each employee has access to both collaborative and private workspaces.

Recommendations: Implement a partial partition layout using low-level walls or storage units to create a sense of dedicated space without disrupting the office’s open feel. This approach helps define different work areas while maintaining an airy and spacious environment. Integrating co-working style spaces can support inter-departmental collaboration. Each zone should be tailored to the specific needs of the teams it serves, facilitating smooth workflow and enhancing overall productivity.

Best office layout for medium-sized businesses

50-100 Employees

Designing an office for 50-100 employees requires a careful balance between maintaining a productive work environment and fostering collaboration. With a larger workforce, it becomes important to create distinct areas for different tasks and teams, ensuring that everyone has the space they need to perform their roles effectively.

Considerations: In an office with 50-100 employees, managing noise levels and ensuring efficient use of space become critical. With a larger workforce, implementing a layout that supports diverse work styles and activities is essential. Departments are likely larger, requiring more structured layouts to maintain order and enhance productivity. Providing a mix of open spaces and private areas will cater to different working preferences, promoting both collaboration and focused work.

Recommendations: Opt for a task-focused open-plan layout that accommodates various work styles. This layout should include areas designed for collaboration and quiet zones for concentration. Integrating soundproofing solutions and designated quiet areas can significantly minimise distractions, enhancing the work environment. Consider leveraging workplace consultancy services to analyse team workflows and position teams effectively, ensuring optimal space utilisation and enhancing employee satisfaction.

Best office layout for large businesses

100-200 Employees

For offices with 100-200 employees, scalability and flexibility are key to creating a layout that supports a diverse range of activities. The design should facilitate both concentrated work and extensive collaboration, ensuring the office remains functional and adaptable to future changes and growth.

Considerations: For offices with 100-200 employees, creating a scalable and flexible layout that can accommodate growth is essential. The design should support a balance between concentrated work and extensive collaboration. Effective space management is crucial to prevent overcrowding and ensure the office remains functional and welcoming. Additionally, fostering a sense of community and encouraging interaction across different teams is important.

Recommendations: Implement a hybrid office layout that combines open spaces, private offices, and flexible workstations. This approach allows easy adaptation to different work styles and team needs. Incorporating hot desking can optimise space utilisation and support a dynamic work environment. Engaging in office fit-out services can help design a space that easily adapts to future changes, ensuring the office remains efficient and conducive to productivity.

Best office layout for large businesses

200-300 Employees

With 200-300 employees, the office layout must support a wide range of activities and work styles while promoting interaction and collaboration across large teams. It’s important to create an adaptable space that can meet current needs and scale with future growth.

Considerations: With 200-300 employees, scalability, efficient space management, and maintaining a cohesive company culture are key challenges. The office layout must support a wide range of activities and work styles while promoting interaction and collaboration across large teams. It is essential to design a space that can accommodate future growth and changing business needs, ensuring the office remains adaptable and functional.

Recommendations: Adopt an open-plan collaborative layout with designated team spaces and shared co-working areas. This layout should include flexible meeting rooms and breakout spaces to support various work styles and activities. Use interior design services to ensure the layout promotes a balance between collaboration and individual productivity, creating an environment that encourages innovation and teamwork.

Best office layout for Large businesses

300+ Employees

An office space with a large headcount will ultimately have a variety of needs, depending on the team, the location, the office size, and accessibility. A good approach with large-scale office layout designs is to zone areas, either for specific departments or for specific work purposes (focused work, collaborative work, hospitality zones, client interactions).

Considerations: For offices with over 300 employees, scalability, efficient space management, and maintaining a cohesive company culture are key challenges. The office layout must support a wide range of activities and work styles while promoting interaction and collaboration across large teams. It is essential to design a space that can accommodate future growth and changing business needs, ensuring the office remains adaptable and functional.

Recommendations: Design a mixed-use open-plan layout that includes varying spaces for job-specific work types. This should feature cellular office layouts for departments requiring high levels of privacy, alongside open spaces for collaborative work. Employ workplace consultancy to create a strategic layout plan that maximises efficiency and fosters a positive work environment. Utilise office fit-out services to ensure the design meets the complex needs of a large workforce, creating a space that is both functional and inspiring.

pro tip

Approach an office layout design in bite-sized chunks by using Zones.

Meshing together company culture and values, with employee needs and desires, all within the confines of a physical space can be a challenge, to make it easier;

1. Survey your teams to find out how they use the existing space

2. Find out the type of work that is happening, i.e. collaborative/concentrative and at what ratio

3. Design spaces to enhance work flow, and

What Makes A Good Office Layout?

Choosing the right office layout is crucial for fostering a productive and engaging work environment. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and often a combination of different layouts will work best. If you need expert advice or assistance in designing your office layout, our team at Innov8 is here to help. Whether you’re looking for stylish office furniture, bespoke interior design, or comprehensive workplace consultancy, we have the expertise to bring your vision to life.

Get in touch with us today to discuss how we can help transform your workspace

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So what makes a good office layout?

Ultimately, a “good” office layout is one that meets the specific requirements of your business. It should enhance productivity, promote employee satisfaction, and be adaptable to future growth. At Innov8 Office, we understand that every business is unique, and we’re here to help you design a workspace that perfectly aligns with your goals.

If you need assistance designing your office layout, get in touch with us. Explore our related articles to dive deeper into office design considerations and principles.

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Browse Our Work

We take pride in building robust relationships that last! Have a look at some of our other projects.

catalyst, Bedford street

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Metro Office

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Portview

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Whether transitioning to a hybrid working model, considering downsizing your headquarters to create local hubs, or aiming to save costs through relocation, this comprehensive guide covers all aspects of office relocation. In addition to providing step-by-step details, our office relocation checklist incorporates a timeline to assist you in minimizing disruptions to your business.

Step One: Evaluate Your Business’s Needs

Upon deciding to move offices, your initial step is to thoughtfully consider the type of space required. Offices vary in shapes, sizes, locations, and agreement types, necessitating a thorough assessment of your business needs to find the ideal fit. Here are key considerations:

1. Your Future Business Plans:
   • Anticipate growth and scalability over the next one, three, and five years.
   • Define whether business expansion or scaling is suitable for your organization.
2. Working Model:
   • Assess your current working model (hybrid, remote, or office-only) and anticipate any future changes.
   • Evaluate the suitability of a serviced office (immediately functional), a managed office (customizable space with branding options), or a conventional long-term lease (offering design autonomy).
3. Workforce Growth:
   • Plan for the number of hires over the next few years and determine the required space.
   • Choose an office floor plan (cubicle, open plan, collaborative, etc.) that aligns with your team’s needs.

Attracting Clients

Consider how your office space and its location will influence your ability to attract clients. While opting for an office in a prestigious location may incur higher costs, it can enhance your ability to attract premium clients and potentially increase fees. Additionally, a personalized, managed office can serve as a showcase for your brand, creating an identity that clients and employees want to be part of.

Attracting Talent

Recognize that your office space plays a crucial role in recruitment and retention. The accessibility and desirability of your new workspace can impact your ability to attract top talent and retain valued employees.

Productivity and Work-Life Balance

Factor in staff well-being when choosing a new office location. Consider the presence of green spaces, nearby cafes and shops offering nutritious food, and other amenities that contribute to a positive work-life balance. Elements such as parking availability and natural light can influence the happiness and productivity of your team.

Step Two: Initiate Office Move Planning

Upon identifying a suitable office space, proceed with planning your office move and creating a detailed timeline. Follow these steps after signing an agreement and confirming your moving date.

1. Give Official Notice to Your Current Landlord:
   • Be aware of notice periods, which can vary based on your existing agreement.
   • Engage experts, like Knight Frank, to review your position and define an appropriate timeline for sourcing, negotiating, acquiring, and executing the move.
2. Make an Office Relocation Announcement to Your Team:
   • Inform and engage your team about the moving date and new office address.
   • Explain the reasons for the move, its benefits to both employees and the business, and any changes to their daily routine.
3. Create an Office Relocation Team:
   • Establish an office relocation team led by an office move manager.
   • Plan logistics, prioritize tasks, and determine if external help, such as IT relocators, is necessary.
4. Finalize Your Office Floor Plan:
   • Visit the new location, understand its IT capabilities, facilities, and utilities.
   • Blueprint your office space, consider necessary changes, and finalize the floor plan, exploring agile office design in the era of hybrid working.
5. Spring Clean and Upgrade Your Systems:
   • Utilize the opportunity to assess existing office equipment.
   • Upgrade or dispose of items not needed, aligning with your moving budget.

Step Three: Research Costs and Set a Budget

Even with a reduced office space, anticipate upfront costs. Set a budget at least three months before the moving day, and obtain quotes while checking the availability of service providers such as removal teams.

1. Research Hidden Costs:
   • Consider costs beyond obvious ones, including removal firms, security deposits, rent, interior design fees, and new furniture.
   • Account for potential hidden costs like dilapidations, cleaning, storage, administrative fees, post redirection, insurance, solicitor’s fees, and agent’s fees.
2. Ensure Full Insurance Coverage:
   • Confirm the insurance coverage provided by your removals company.
   • Consider additional coverage through a removals and storage insurance policy for comprehensive protection.

Step Four: Prepare for the Office Move

Focus on the logistical aspects of your move in the month leading up to the relocation. A proficient office move manager is invaluable during this phase.

1. Conduct a Stock and Inventory Check:
   • Create an inventory using standardized labeling for equipment.
   • Use color codes and employee numbers for easy tracking during the move.
2. Finalize Moving Details:
   • Ensure packing supplies are provided or order boxes, crates, tape, and labels.
   • Book parking permits and local licenses to prevent unnecessary delays on moving day.
3. Prepare Employees’ Equipment:
   • Communicate when employees should pack up their desks.
   • Explain procedures, especially for employees on holiday during the move.
4. Brief the Office Relocation Team:
   • Provide security information to the team.
   • Share floor plans, responsibilities, and emergency contacts.

Step Five: Settling Into Your New Office

If you’ve followed the office move checklist, the moving day should proceed smoothly. Post-relocation, set up your new office and quickly resume business operations.

1. Follow Your Floor Plan:
   • Make necessary adjustments to the floor plan based on real-time requirements.
   • Use the color coding and numbering system for efficient equipment placement.
2. Set Up IT Equipment:
   • Engage your in-house IT team or a serviced office IT relocation team.
   • Ensure seamless setup of computer cabling, telephone lines, and other equipment.
3. Double-Check Your Inventory:
   • Conduct a final inventory check to verify equipment, stock, machinery, and furniture successfully reached the new office.
   • Report any damages to your moving company and insurers.
4. Announce the Move Publicly:
   • Notify clients, customers, suppliers, partners, HMRC, Companies House, service providers, banks, insurance companies, and professional bodies.
   • Share your change of address and new contact information.
   • Utilize social media, blog posts, and an office warming event to communicate the move.
5. Don’t Forget to Decorate Your Office:
   • Enhance employee engagement and satisfaction by decorating and lighting your office space.
   • Refer to our blog for tips on decorating a new office space.

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Can we encourage staff back to the office?

The working world has evolved and changed rapidly in recent years. Before the pandemic, we were accustomed to seeing rows and rows of desks. During the pandemic, we found comfort in working from home and discovered that offices are not the only place people can be productive. Now that the pandemic has passed, the purpose of the office has changed, and employee expectations are higher.

Expectations of employees

Now that people have discovered and become accustomed to the comfort of working from home, many are reluctant to return to the office full-time. Employer flexibility is expected, and people are no longer content with ‘free tea and coffee’ being a benefit of working for an employer. Gen Z has the highest expectations compared to older generations. Having entered the working world during the pandemic-era of working, their expectation is to continue working from home for individual work tasks and will only commute to the office to learn from experienced generations and complete work as a team.

How can employers manage these higher expectations?

Employers need to adapt and accept that the pre-pandemic way of working is in the past. The requirement for staff to be in the office full-time is no longer necessary nor accepted by employees. Hybrid working and trust are expected by employees. People will choose to work for companies that offer a flexible work environment to allow for a better work-life balance. Your office space needs to reflect this change and become a place of collaboration for enhanced teamwork and learning.

The new office – a place of collaboration

If I am productive and happy working from home, why should I travel to the office?

There is one thing most of us struggle with when working from home: building relationships and working in collaboration with colleagues. By creating a collaborative work environment and encouraging teamwork within the office employees will be more likely to return for the purpose of collaborating and building professional work relationships.

We have helped employers reduce their office sizes and create spaces for collaborative work. There are easy solutions, such as incorporating group work elements, for example, moveable interactive screens and whiteboards within communal spaces. This encourages teamwork in all areas of the workplace. Most of your commercial space should be dedicated to different sizes of comfortable group areas to allow for different types of collaborative work. However, it is also important to incorporate some quiet individual workstations or pods for those who want to break away and complete some individual work.

Turning your office into a collaboration space does not need to be a difficult task. This is where we can help shed knowledge and clarity on commercial interior industry trends. Our unique design process will make this change a fun experience. From the beginning of your project, you will work directly with our design team and workspace consultants. We will get to know exactly what your needs are and can work with your budget, brand, and team. The future workplace is here, let us help you redesign your space to encourage a collaborative work environment that employees will want to commute to.

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The Future of Workspaces

The working world has changed, ‘hybrid’ working seems to be the norm and employees expect more than ever before. The workplace environment is important for employee mood, health and wellbeing, work ethic, collaboration and concentration. Spaces for individual concentrated work alongside spaces for collaboration and socialising are both essential to employee satisfaction and overall productivity.

“Providing spaces where people have control over their environment, access to natural daylight, spaces to relax and take breaks will result in enhanced performance, happiness and satisfaction. When people perform at their best individually, they feed into the collective more effectively” – Hannah Nardini, 2022.

What will the workplace look like in 2030?

A huge rise in self-employment and freelance. Office-less companies and more working from home. Collaborative based teams rather than management based. Employee empowerment will become a priority. Smart ‘home tech’ will come into the office. Virtual reality meeting spaces for an ‘in-office’ experience. Complete flexibility to suit individual employee needs.

However, now in 2022 we can already see big changes within the workplace environment: UK is currently trialling a 4-day work week. Employee turnover has risen as people search for most flexible and benefit centred employers. Managerial tasks are becoming more automated to allow management to spend more face-to-face time with employees. Employees and job searchers are expecting higher salaries and more benefits. Employers are finding it difficult to encourage people back to the office. Airbnb’s work-from-anywhere policy.

“We are seeing signs of a shift within the Generation Z demographic since the pandemic. For some, being in the office and around experienced people to learn from is going to be vitally important. We are likely to see them want to be in the office for their professional development but the office needs to support this and not drive isolated working” – Hannah Nardini, 2022.

Gen Z entering the workforce

Gen Z are here and ready to join the workforce. Are you ready to meet their expectations? This generation expects a lot from the moment they begin their careers. This generation is the most likely generation to job-hop to find the company which suits them best. Flexible working to work around their liftstyle. Workplaces to allow them to have a personal brand showcasing their talents. A hybrid work environment with the option to work from the office to learn off older generations and build professional relationships. Workplaces which support personal growth and will put them through qualifications. A salary which meets their needs with rising costs and is accurate to their job responsibilities. Quick promotion opportunities.

Businesses need to adapt

The past two years have shown us that life can be unpredictable and change at a moments notice. That we need to adapt and change with the circumstances. Therefore there is no way to predict exactly what the future holds, however, from the expectations of the new generation of workers and an aging population, it is clear that businesses need to change and adapt to keep top talent. Innov8 Workspace Solutions are here to help. We can offer an office transformation to prepare you for the future. Innov8 are experts in creating innovative office spaces with industry trends and stats in mind. Get in contact to take your first step in preparing for the future.

We hope you enjoyed our article on the future of workspaces featured in the Ulster Business Top 100 2022. Get in touch below to discuss how we can help you prepare for the future.

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• back, neck and shoulder pain,
• poor blood circulation,
• increased body fat and weight gain,
• poor brain health, increased tiredness and decreased concentration,
• digestive problems.

By using an ergonomic office chair correctly, you will be less at risk of these health issues. A good ergonomic chair will be adjustable, allowing you to adjust the chair to fit your body. There are 10 ergonomic chair features to improve your health and wellbeing:

• Seat height – the perfect seat height will allow you to place your feet flat on the floor. With most desks being a fixed height, it is important to have a chair with an adjustable height.
• Seat width and depth – you should have between 2 and 4 inches between the edge of your seat and the back of your knees.
• Seat tilt – allowing correct positioning of the pelvis.
• Backrest lumbar support – lower back support for the nature S shape of the spine which can prevent bad posture and reduce stress on the spine and pelvis.
• Backrest recline – this allows you to position the backrest to best support your natural spine position. Using this allows you to relieve stress on your upper body, spinal disks and muscles.
• Swivel – improves your movement without putting unnecessary strain on your body.
• Armrests – removes tension in the upper body and allows you to relax your shoulders.
• Headrest – supports the back of your head and upper neck, reducing tension in your shoulders and upper torso.
• Materials – the material should be comfortable and breathable.
• Wheels – depending on your floor surface: use soft rubber wheels on a hard surface and hard wheels on a carpeted surface to help you navigate better.

At Innov8, we offer solutions for both commercial and home use. We offer a range ergonomic chairs to improve your productivity, health and wellbeing.

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A biophilic work environment is not ‘just adding a few plants here and there’. A biophilic work environment brings nature indoors, creating a comfortable, collaborate, work promoting space. We can bring nature indoors by incorporating natural light, colour, natural features such as wood and stone, plant life, utilising any available outdoor spaces such as balconies or courtyards, and allows staff space and choice of quiet areas and communal work areas. Not only will your office look more aesthetically pleasing, but it is also proven that biophilic workspaces have an influence on productivity, morale and wellbeing.

The benefits of a biophilic office include:

• Improved productivity – up to an 11% improvement in productivity with good air quality.
• Increased concentration levels – 6% reported improved productivity in offices with natural elements such as greenery and sunlight and nature in the office can reduce fatigue by up to 38%.
• Improved creativity and collaboration – 15% of staff experience improved creativity in offices with natural elements such as greenery and sunlight.
• Enhanced wellbeing – 35% lower short term sick leave in offices ventilated by an outdoor air supply and 15% higher level of overall wellbeing in offices with natural elements such as greenery and sunlight.
• Greater staff retention – up to 33% of workers say that the design of an office would affect their decision to work at a company.

Biophilic office design principles

As we have said, creating a biophilic work environment is not ‘just putting a few plants here and there’. It is much more complex. There are six key characteristics of a biophilic work environment.

Environmental features

The first principle of creating a biophilic office environment is to incorporate environmental features. This is bringing characteristics of the natural world into the build environment. This includes elements such as : colour, water, fire, air, sunlight, plants, animals, natural materials, views, Façade greenery and habitats and ecosystems.

Light and Space

The second element of a biophilic work environment is light and space. This utilises qualities of light and spatial relationships. This can include artificial natural light. Elements of light and space include: natural light, filtered and diffused light, light and shadow, reflected light, light pools, warm light, light as shape and form, spaciousness, spatial variability, space as shape and form, spatial harmony and inside-outside spaces. By utilising certain light features, you can make a room feel more or less spacious.

Natural patterns and processes

The third principle of a biophilic work environment is natural patterns and processes. This is incorporating natural properties into the built environment. Natural properties includes: variety of sensory systems, central focal points, transitional spaces, complementary contrasts, dynamic balance and growth and patterned wholes. This is all about connecting to our environment through our senses, through bringing natural elements into the built environment of the office.

Natural shapes and forms

The fourth principle is natural shapes and forms. This is the process of creating shapes and forms which represent or simulate natural elements. Creating shapes such as: tree and columnar supports, shells and spirals, arches and domes helps to bring natural shapes and forms into your space.

Human-nature relationship

The fifth principle is human-nature relationships. This involves including aspects of the inherent human relationship to nature. This means including features which showcase how humans have been shaped by nature creating feelings of curiosity, refuge, attachment and exploration. This can make your office feel very comfortable and homely.

Place-based relationships

Finally, the sixth principle of a biophilic office design is place-based relationships. This involves connecting your office to its location historically, culturally, geographically or spiritually. This can include using colours to simulate local mountains and rivers.

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BUILDING COMMUNITY, REINFORCING YOUR ORGANIZATION’S CULTURE, AND STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS WITH COLLEAGUES IS STILL WHAT THE WORKPLACE IS ALL ABOUT.

We know from new research, that well planned-out work environment still the most desirable place to be. Before we can return to the workplace, we must ensure that health and safety measures are in place. While working from home has changed our habits and skill set, it is time to make arrangements for how we can return a large portion of the workforce back to the office. Here are a few ideas on the initial steps organizations can take in the short-term.

Back to work: initial steps:

Social Distancing

While we will all be accustomed to this phrase and the physical barriers that it presents, we must not neglect its importance in the workplace. Employers should make preparations to space out meeting areas, collaboration areas, introduce appropriate screens where desk clusters are necessary. This may even require downsizing of desk sizes to accommodate a greater walkway. Employers should also be encouraging Virtual Collaboration where appropriate. This could mean designated areas for individuals to use remote conferencing facilities without interruption to neighbours.

De-densify workstations

This is perhaps the greatest challenge in accommodating many of the workforce with added white space in the floorplan. Try using every other desk when they are in large banks/clusters, or assigning new work areas in those spaces where collaboration or group gatherings would normally be occurring. Adding partitions that are at least 40cm tall can provide another buffer for those who sit facing each other, while upgrading to Perspex screens can still allow for open communications without sacrificing personal space.

Limit desk / tech sharing

In some offices, you may find “hot desks” or shared desks, where a job share or flexible workers may be assigned. It would be beneficial to assign these spaces permanently to avoid contamination.

Increase cleaning protocols

A clean environment is a safe environment. The best way to prevent disease spread is to clean the surfaces in an office, in the collaboration areas, waiting areas and meeting rooms. It may require an extra day for cleaning (perhaps even when employees are not present for better efficiency) or a third-party professional cleaning provider for those SME’s. Employers should also provide disinfectant wipes and hand sanitisers throughout the office. Clean desk policies will help make this process much more effective.

How is your air?

We are all breathing the same air, and in enclosed offices, air filtration and cleaning will help reduce risk of disease spread. More state-of-the-art systems can even alert employers and employees to the current air quality and act as a continuous disinfectant.

Personal hygiene

Employers should be reinforcing good hygiene practices, while also providing well-stocked bathrooms and sanitiser dispensed in all major areas and walkways, with contactless dispensers where necessary. Adding additional signage throughout the office will help to reinforce these best practices.

Learn from healthcare

Many of the changes we need to make in our workplace are already in practice throughout the healthcare landscape, with contactless dispensers, sanitiser lined hallways, motion activated doorways etc. Integration of this technology into our workplace is vital.

Power to the people

Rather than mandating a back to work date, allow your employees to re-enter the workplace at their pace. Perhaps a phased or waved approach. Coming out of lockdown will a big adjustment, especially for those with young families who will struggle to find childcare. This will provide the necessary social distancing and a allow employees a greater sense of control over their health.

Going back to work means embracing new ways of working

We will have found new ways to work together, and these may continue when we return to the workplace. We should embrace change and nurture it, as we may find ourselves a better, more efficient workforce.

To conclude, we are all experiencing changing circumstances, a “new normal” as has been said. We will need to relearn old skills, embrace new ones, and integrate lockdown habits into the workplace. Building community, reinforcing your organization’s culture, and strengthening relationships with colleagues is still what the workplace is all about.

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“YOU CAN DESIGN AND CREATE AND BUILD THE MOST WONDERFUL PLACE IN THE WORLD. BUT IT TAKES PEOPLE TO MAKE THE DREAM A REALITY.” WALT DISNEY

Office design and office culture tend to be synonymous with each other. Yet it is undeniably peculiar that an office would be designed before a company moves in to it. In an ideal world, a company’s culture should be the impacting factor of its office design.

What is office culture?

Office culture combines the qualities of an organisation and its employees. It is a product of its history, traditions, values, and vision. This can be 4 competing values, or points of view – Collaborate, Create, Control & Compete.

The notion of culture encompasses everything, interactions between teams, their processes and work practices. In today’s brand conscious society, it is important that a company’s cultural values are reflected in their environment. For example, your teams are always communicating with each other. It would makes little sense to partition your team’s stations with storage units. If you have an environment where staff they have to leave the premise to engage with their teams, then you can quickly erode your office culture.

Manifesting a company’s culture through office design requires an understanding what your office culture looks like currently. Alongside this, what your management and staff envision it to be in the future. It may seem obvious but it’s surprising how many companies don’t bear this in mind when choosing a new workplace for their staff. Of course, cost is a factor but designing a workplace based just on affordability can have enormous repercussions in the long term.

The work environment can affect employee wellbeing, staff retention, staff satisfaction and we know that staff satisfaction affects profits. Designing your workplace to reflect company culture, company vision and staff behaviour will not only make your life easier but will boost your bottom line.

To find out more about what Innov8 can do, have a look at what services we offer!

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In recent years a new place concept has arisen – the Third Place. The Third Place is where the home and office integrate. In the beginning, this concept focused on getting out of the office and finding an in-between environment, like a local coffee shop!

So what implications does this third place working environment have on our offices?

Well, in the early stages of adoption, people saw the Third Place as a means of escapism – a way to get out of the second place and get closer to the first place. As we became increasingly more digital in the way we work, this got easier as years passed.

Notable benefits were;

• Increased Creativity – being office bound is not always conducive to the creative process. Getting up and going for a walk, or sitting outside immediately helps kick start our creative juices

• Close and Cost Effective – Most workers select locations that are still close to the normal working environment, while also helping to remove some of the costs-per-head from the office premises (electricity, internet, space).

• Positive Atmosphere – Coffee shops and parks naturally have a less stressful environment than a packed office.

What about now?

Major corporations across the world have seen the benefits of Third Places, and have created environments on-site that echo this philosophy. As a result, they are creating comfortable, coffee shop style areas to allow people to escape their desk. Some companies have started to engineer a more natural environment for their staff to use. Introducing plants, wall graphics, natural floor finishes and an abundance of natural light. As a result, their employees are benefiting.

These shifts in our perceived environment have knock-on benefits across the spectrum. Staff can use a variety of spaces to achieve maximum productivity and creativity. With people seeking a different way of working, desk positions have become less permanent and individual ownership is somewhat redundant. – Why not share a desk that you use 40% of the time, or even better, hot desk! Overall this reaps benefits for the company, as staff become more effective and begin to alleviate costs per head, as use of space becomes more diverse and more efficient.

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