Welfare &Design


Working knowledge


Business confidence is starting to return, which means companies are making positive changes for the future, including moves to new premises. As a consequence, office refurbishments are on the up, but what factors do facilities, building and estate managers need to consider when it comes to linking office design with business performance? Kirsty Carnell, Marketing Manager for Martek Contracts, explores.


and staff wellbeing is a long waging debate, yet the 2005 report by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and the British Council for Offices (BCO) entitled: ‘Impact of Office Design on Business Performance,’ provides a range of evidence showing the links between poor workplace design, lower business performance and higher levels of stress experienced by employees.


valuable asset of any business, and almost always the biggest cost. It goes on to say that a business that gives serious attention to the physical environment of the office is far more likely to increase staff productivity than one that ignores the building.


The report also warns: “Those employers who ignore the evidence of office design as an enabler of staff satisfaction and performance, risk the loss of key staff and ultimately business success.”


take a step back and consider the employees. For example, both good lighting design and adequate daylight have been linked to increases of between 2.8% and 20% in productivity.


programme of office redesign by oil and gas company BP, which involves combining property efficiency and adaptability with flexible working practices and better work-life balance, revealed 13% greater performance and 15% greater communication.


So, what factors need to be considered to ensure office design has a positive impact on employee performance?


In another example, an assessment of the Blue Chalk When designing an office it’s always a good idea to actually The report recognises that the workforce is by far the most


Layout Today's offices are challenging, diverse, and constantly changing places. The current economic climate and consequent pressure in the workplace means that office redesign should be focussed around encouraging interaction and teamwork.


environment from a traditional workspace, to a space for social and interactive engagement. Much of the literature on ‘new ways of working’ recommends open-plans and hot desks rather than traditional cellular workplaces as they encourage teamwork and interaction.


This has a clear impact on design and storage; for example, when workstations are more visible, furniture design and availability of storage space becomes more important.


Design/Décor There is a growing bank of evidence to suggest that colour is


increasingly important when it comes to staff productivity and retention. The neutral whitewash once favoured in offices is being challenged by bolder shades and brighter tones, and many companies have discovered that splashes of colour in office design can have a genuine impact on the mood and efficiency of employees. Research shows stronger colours work best to create a motivating environment whilst grey is the most demotivating colour in the workplace.


office. Generally, a more aesthetically pleasing, contemporary and clean looking office will have a beneficial impact on employees’ pride and inspiration in the workplace.


Comfort Productivity can vary by as much as 25% between comfortable and uncomfortable staff. Employees cannot work at their best if they are not comfortable at their workstation, and increases in output, reduction of repetitive strain injuries and a consequent reduction in insurance costs have all been reported as a consequence of proper attention to office ergonomics.


This is why suitable seating, desk height and furniture positioning is so important when it comes to office redesign.


14 Another important factor is the overall look of the finished It’s also important to recognise the shift in the office The impact of good office design on business performance


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32