Workplace Design


“For example, Facilities Managers can easily reduce the number of repaint cycles required by using scrubbable paints, providing easy-to-clean surfaces. This will also make the working environment nicer for employees to be in, thanks to workplace standards remaining high.


“As well as the clear benefits of scrub-resistance, Facilities Managers can also choose to invest in anti-microbial or anti- mould coatings, which inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes on painted surfaces, improving hygiene and reducing the risk of infections,” Gualda adds. “The right finishes can go a very long way in preventing future costs, often in ways you never even realised.”


Bring Nature Into Work


“Biophilic design is a bit of a buzzword in interior design circles right now, but there’s a good reason for it – humans are happier when they’re closer to nature,” says Gualda, “and this increase in happiness boosts productivity.”


“The best way to do this is to create dedicated breakout rooms for different purposes – including acoustic pods (sometimes called focus pods) for quiet, uninterrupted working, preferred by those who like to knuckle down with limited distractions.


“Signage and branding within the office is a fantastic way to achieve this, associating teamwork and productivity with a physical place. You can install well-made signage to achieve this, company timelines to illustrate the company’s journey or even decorative murals, as discussed earlier.”


Prioritise Workspaces That Cater To Multiple Working Styles


“Not every employee is the same – some prefer quiet spaces, some prefer collaborative spaces, some prefer to talk through problems with their colleagues. This means that there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to planning an office. Facilities Managers need to recognise this to get the most out of all their employees,” says Gualda.


A Human Spaces study in 2023 found that biophilic elements in the workplace boost productivity by 6% and creativity by 15%5


. Interestingly, even murals depicting nature can trigger


similar effects on mood and productivity. Similar results were recorded by a Cardiff University study, which found that office greenery can boost productivity by 15%6 when compared to an office with no greenery.


“Facilities Managers can easily replicate this boost in productivity and mood by investing in greenery – ideally through a mix of real potted plants and living walls. Living walls are especially impressive in design and vibrancy, and can even help improve air quality in a workspace,” Gualda comments.


Build Workplace Culture With Branding


Every member of a workforce is part of a shared community, and that community is galvanised by the business’ goals and metrics of success. Facilities Managers can capitalise on this in working spaces to bolster work culture, making the office a place that workers want to spend time in.


“Workplace culture is created and maintained through a number of measures, including positive rapport between management and staff, employee incentives and personal enrichment within the business. Visual cues play a strong role in reminding employees of the team that they’re a part of,” says Gualda.


References:


1: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/whoarethehybridworkers/2024-11-11 2: https://greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Human-Spaces-Report-Biophilic-Global_Impact_Biophilic_Design.pdf 3: https://www.bagnalls.co.uk/services/commercial-painting/


5: https://greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Human-Spaces-Report-Biophilic-Global_Impact_Biophilic_Design.pdf 6: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25068481/


4: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327504773_The_Effects_of_Colour_in_Work_Environment_A_systematic_review 7: https://ics.uci.edu/~gmark/chi08-mark.pdf


fmuk 15 over three months,


Indeed, it can take around 20 minutes to regain full concentration7 after a distraction while working, making design solutions that limit distractions an obvious benefit for distraction-prone, open-plan offices.


“When it comes to collaboration, whiteboards are great – but smart tech shouldn’t be ignored either. Dedicated areas in a workspace for performance walls (live dashboards) can offer something useful for workers that they can’t use when working from home, as well as professional, comfortable meeting rooms for important meetings, both internal and external to the business.”


If you’re looking to boost productivity and wellbeing in your workspaces, Facilities Managers should certainly start with one – or all – of these tips.


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  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48