Workspace Design Solutions
Employers need office design solutions that will provide a variety of options that are directly suited to varied work style requirements. And, more important than just designing an attractive workspace is getting the right space for the business. One that aligns with brand, goals of the business, the type of business, employee profiles, and definition of success all feed into the design of a successful workspace.
Consider
1. The design of the physical space has a direct impact on stimulating ideas.
2. Providing visual and acoustic privacy supports employee cognitive processing and idea development.
3. A safe, supportive and empowering workplace creates the social environment in which collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas thrive.
Ensuring success
Workplace change is a profound adjustment for employees. Companies need a designer who is versed in change management strategies and can provide a start-to-finish solution. For an office design transition to be successful, a top down process will not work. Your designer should work collaboratively with your team and incorporate strategies such as visioning sessions and peer engagement to minimize employee stress and resistance. Your design partner will ideally work with you through all project phases from programming and design through procurement, construction administration, and post occupancy analysis. During the construction phase, a full service design firm works as your advocate, reviewing work on site, proactively managing changes and vetting Contractors’ progress draws. All of this ensures a well-coordinated design and construction process, resulting in a successful workspace project.
So, how can employers create space that serves the diverse needs of worker demographics and culture while inspiring creative collaboration and productivity? It starts with insights and planning.
Thoughts on office design & workspace planning
1. Suit the needs of the task
2. Support employee well-being
3. Provide for a variety of physical postures
4. Provide both private and collaborative spaces
5. Empower employee choice
6. Reduce workplace stressors
7. Natural light, colours & textures
8. Control unwanted sound and visual distractions
9. Accommodate for technology
10. Provide for impromptu interaction.
11. Flexibility
Your workspace design plan should address the challenges of the modern office with consideration for the tension between public and private workspace. This means creating space for collaboration while allowing for focused, task-oriented space. Consider how to control visual distraction and accommodate for a diverse workforce including introverts and extroverts. And, your workspace plan should reflect and reinforce your brand values.
Feedback on our work:
“The RATIO solution was all encompassing. Together we looked at our business wholistically; how we serve our customers, who we would recruit, how we would train our staff, how we would integrate technology into the branch environment in a way that engaged customers and staff together. We reinvented our business and our branches into the credit union of the future. The Island Savings team was thrilled and excited to be part of the process and with the outcome. RATIO worked to build relationships with our team. The result was that they felt like they owned the project and their ideas and participation was respected.” Randy Bertsch, President, Island Savings
Results-based Workplace Design
Companies around British Columbia work with RATIO for results-based office design that makes for better workspaces and places to do business. Contact Christopher Pollard at RATIO to talk about your workplace challenges.
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