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Showing posts from January, 2020

How can workspace design adapt to different personality types and Moods

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Workplace designs should focus on improving productivity and employee satisfaction. Today there is a renewed focus on creating flexible, or agile offices, that feature a variety of work zones and accommodate the five major personality types and allow employees to change their environment in relation to the task they are performing. Workplace design is complicated by the fact that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Furthermore, one source says there is insufficient evidence to show different personality types respond differently to the office environment in terms of distraction, job satisfaction and performance. However, other studies have found the environment can impact performance and job satisfaction in employees that are performing specific activities. Common sense and personal experience confirms this is a true reflection of workplace environments. Ultimately, it is regarded that different personality types have preferred ways of working. Whilst some people t...

Office Lighting Design in Workspace

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Lighting is considered one of the most important factors in ergonomics, but it is often overlooked, rushed, or sacrificed for style. Do you hate the lighting in your office? You’re not alone. A study was conducted by the American Society of Interior Designers and it showed that 68 percent of employees were dissatisfied about the lighting situation in their offices. That is a very large percentage proving lighting is a daily ergonomic issue. Types of Lighting What type of lighting should you choose for your office? There are many different options to choose from, and each type has its own specific purpose, advantages and disadvantages. You can combine these different types of lighting to create a properly lit working atmosphere. Task Lighting If your office lacks natural and overhead light, you may want to consider adding task lighting to all of the employee desks. Tasks lights are small lamps that can be plugged into any outlet to provide extra lighting ri...

Designing Millennial Office Spaces

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Many of the things that millennial's want/need to be successful in their work spaces, can be used successfully by every generation in that work space to make their work environment better. Change can only happen if senior management realizes the need and are willing to invest in their companies / staff. Switching and designing for a millennial office space will not only attract young talent, but increase the overall image, and collaborative workforce that will in turn help improve morale. A couple of features to consider when switching to these millennial office spaces: Natural lighting – natural light is known for having a positive impact on mental health, wellness and productivity Bright colors and plants – color scheme may impact mood and productivity levels Functional desk spaces – clutter-free, organized desks for specific tasks keep things running smoothly in the office Warm room temperature – 21 degrees Celsius is said to be the perfect tempera...

Greener Workplaces in 2020

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The ever growing awareness of health and well-being at work will shape design trends in 2020. As reported by Human Spaces the top 5 elements most wanted in the workplace are: Natural light (44%) Indoor plants (20%) Quiet working space (19%) View of the sea (17%) Bright colours (15%) NATURAL LIGHT Biophilic design is not only aesthetic. Human Spaces report that “Workers in office environments with natural elements, such as greenery and sunlight report a 20% increase in well-being, are 4% more productive and are 30% more creative”. Open plan workstations in the centre of an office increase the spread of natural light throughout the workplace and make the office feel more SPACIOUS. If the available natural lighting is limited, consider a range of skylights, choose transparent finishes or add a mirror to reflect any available natural light. INDOOR PLANTS Indoor plants have grown from a lone plant on the window sill to an entire flourishing wall, ...

6 Ways to Make Your Office Space Feel More Spacious

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Creating a sense of spaciousness in our working environments is essential to encourage effectiveness, creativity and personal workplace satisfaction. Not every office space has the ideal amount of ‘free space’ or ‘through space’; that is empty space that makes for an open and roomy environment. In these situations, the design is what will make the difference and create a sense of space in the workplace. Consider using these simple tips to make any office space feel more open and spacious. Light colour tones Light colour tones and neutrals are space expanders, they reflect light making the room look bigger and brighter Transparent finishes Incorporate transparent finishes like glass and Perspex in place of opaque and solid finishes. Consider glass doors, table tops, light shades and dividing walls instead of solid ones. These finishes let light through from other rooms, reflect more light and make a space feel more open. Mirrors By placing a large mir...