New premises? Getting a refurb? Either way its an exciting time when it is time to do some office space planning. But for all the fun it is important to get your new space right.
You want to maximise your use of the space available, match the culture of your business and comply with the law. Here we highlight some DOs and DON’Ts of office space planning to help you make the right choices. And if that is not enough we offer an expert office space planning service to help you design the best office space for you.
DO
Think about the purpose of the office and the nature of the work that goes on in it. Do employees collaborate much on their work? Then an open plan may be essential. Or perhaps staff spend the day hosting client meetings in which case the privacy that personal offices provide may be more appropriate.
DON’T
Make all the space too samey. People need a bit of variety to keep them stimulated so plan accordingly. Perhaps include some sofas and armchairs where people can retreat to read a report, or a meeting room where matters can be discussed in confidence.
DO
Be creative about the space. Does everyone need a personal desk or can hot-desking be used to maximise the available area?
DO
Draw up proper plans. The margin for error may be small and if you get your measurements wrong you may delay your project and/or incur costs. There are 2D and 3D planning tools that can be invaluable in helping you get it right first time. Also check off your office space plans against the plans for the business. If you are growing will the new office space be sufficient to accommodate the new staff you will require? Is the location right for you in the long term?
DON’T
Ignore any legal duties. You may land yourself in hot water if you try to pack your staff like sardines in a can or don’t take account of a disability by providing adequate access. A professional office space planner can help you navigate these legal issues.
DO
Allow for your IT infrastructure in your plans. Now may be the best time to install the latest generation of cables so that you can get the most from your IT systems. What about servers? Do you need a cooled room to host these?
DON’T
Forget the little things. They say a happy workforce is a more productive workforce so keep this in mind when designing your office space. Can you include facilities to make a good cup of coffee, give staff a nice view, or perhaps include shower facilities? Of course this will all depend on the nature of your business, your budget and the space available but if you can add a few touches to make the employee experience more pleasant it may be a wise investment.
Finally…DO
Keep the culture of your business in mind. Planning new office space appropriately is an essential ingredient in maintaining or improving your business culture. This may encompass branding, the impression you give to visitors, how employees communicate with each other plus much more. The culture of your business should run through just about every decision you make when planning your office space.
Randalls Specialist Office Planning Space
Randalls can help you get the most from the space available, whilst staying true to your culture and being legally compliant. You can see for yourself exactly how your new space will look before you make your decision with our 2D or 3D graphics packages. Once the plans are agreed upon we can supply quality office furniture to help you fulfil your vision.
For more information call 0117 3600 123 or go here to email an enquiry.
