We all know that clean, clutter-free offices help to improve employee productivity and boost morale, but unfortunately it’s quite common for offices to be poorly designed. A recent report from the World Green Building Council concluded that there is overwhelming evidence that links office design with productivity and wellness of employees. To work at our best we need to be able to be relaxed and comfortable.
Design plays a huge part in making employees feel comfortable and at ease, from the layout of the office, to the lighting, even the colour of the walls. There is an age old debate about whether cubicles or open plan offices are better and it really depends on the office, who it is catered for and the number of people using the space. Employees that spend a lot of time on the phone may prefer cubicles; however more creative employees that want to bounce ideas and work together, open plan spaces may work better for them. 4D has an open plan office, which allows our creative teams to work well together, enabling ideas and concepts to be openly brainstormed, creating a natural all-inclusive workflow.
Lighting is another factor that can enormously affect productivity; insufficient lighting can cause employees to strain their eyes, cause drowsiness and headaches. We have taken the time to layout our office so that all of our desks are located next to large windows, allowing natural light to fill the space. Not every office can do this and so another option is to look at using full-spectrum bulbs, which simulate daylight.
The colour of office spaces can also impact the way people think and feel on a more subconscious level, numerous studies over the years have shown that particular colours lead people to feel certain emotions and these affect your employees in the same way. Colours like green have links to broader thinking, promoting growth and feeling balanced. Red has always been an emotional colour, giving energetic boosts, but these can be short-lived and lead to reduced levels of analytical thinking over the course of the day. White has that fresh, modern appeal, however too much can cause people to day dream and reflect on their own thoughts.
A lot of companies over the years have been re-designing their offices to make their employee’s feel comfortable and relaxed; Google is a great example of this. They have designed their offices in line with their company culture; that happy and healthy employees are the best employees, creating spaces for teams and individuals to work, as well as areas where employees can chill and relax.
If you’re looking at re-designing your office or want some advice and insight on creative and effective office design, contact Abs Patel for more information.
