The world of work brings almost constant change. Recent history has seen more and more people working outside of the office due to developments in technology that allow people to work from home. A report from architects Gensler suggests that face-to-face interaction is drawing workers back to the office in droves. This is likely to have an effect on the way that offices are designed, especially in cities. Cities have always been the driving force of modern industry, but now more than ever, people are moving towards cities for job opportunities.

So why are people coming back to the office? In many studies there have been interesting results when staff have been given the option to work from home. This study conducted in China showed that even though staff were more productive, made more money and saved the company money by working at home, many of the test subjects decided to go back to the office at the end of the study – the reasoning? It was posited that factors such as social isolation and a reduction in promotion opportunities(the out of sight out of mind theory) helped them make the decision. The moral of this story? That the office environment is indeed a benefit for many staff,particularly those who enjoy social interaction with their colleagues. This helps us to see that the inclusion of a social element in office design can be highly useful in helping to improve morale, if not to necessarily maximise productivity gains.

New office philosophy

So how do you turn this information into an ideal office environment? That’s a good question. Only you know your business, but we can help you to uncover the options that can help to improve morale and productivity, while also producing an aesthetically pleasing and useful office space. The new philosophy of people centred design helps us to put your staff at the centre of the design process. The introduction of leisure areas such as break rooms and kitchens can help to enhance the social cohesion of your staff.We can also help to make the office experience better with smart office design that can produce anything from traditional cubes to a fully open plan workspace. Whatever your team needs, Spaceway can deliver it.

Office design is clearly important to your staff, they spend a large proportion of their waking hours there. By centering the design philosophy of your office on the needs of your people, we can help to create harmony and cohesion in your team. This can help to promote collaboration and productivity increases that can drive your business forward. If you want to speak to us about office design, use the contact details that are at the end of this article.

How Spaceway can help you to get ahead

Here at Spaceway we are well used to moving with the times.Our more than 40 years in the business is a testament to our ability to keepmoving our design ideas forward and giving businesses the platform that they need to drive to the next level. So if you are looking to make the most of your workspace or just need some fresh ideas, get in touch today on 0800 085 1022 or fill out the contact form at spaceway.co.uk/contactand a member of our team will be happy to help.