Office Design Moves Outdoors
Today many successful businesses relocate their offices not only because of company growth, but also to create more efficient and enjoyable workspace for their employees. The basic thinking goes, if you are going to spend a great deal of time and money preparing these new offices, why not make them into workspaces that actually invigorate your staff? If you're a business owner or office manager thinking along these lines, then you're already on track to a successful office relocation and a bright future for your business. I just have one more idea to add to your modern thinking-outdoor space.
If the new commercial space you leased comes with a bit of green space, why not dress it up a bit? In the warmer months, this space can be enjoyed by clients and employees alike, boosting morale and encouraging fresh ideas. Businesses that thrive on creative thinking often have contemplative spots that spur employees' eureka moments, but even if your business is not in creative a creative field, it can benefit simply from happier employees who more eagerly do their jobs.
You may also want to consider an outdoor space or courtyard for practicality sake. Most businesses have employees who smoke. Rather than have smokers congregate in the front of your business or near some sort of entryway, you can create a designated, private outdoor space that is set back from the public eye.
Whatever the intended use of your outdoor space, you'll want to make sure it is designed according to its function; otherwise, it will not be worth the effort. If your space is meant to be a gathering place for outdoor meeting or lunches, make sure there are plenty of seating, tables, and trash and recycling receptacles. If this space is meant as a smoking area, some seating is likely required as well as plenty of ash urns. No matter what the function of the space, you will need to ensure that it observes all fire codes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. This means including ramps, seating, and other entry-points that are wheel-chair accessible as well as designating clear emergency exit routes.
Once the functionality is in order, you can dress up the place by planting a small garden, installing a statue or fountain, or accenting the courtyard with decorative tiles. However you want to decorate the outdoor space, you don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money. Employees will already be appreciative of this added space, so even planting just a flower bed or two will suffice on a smaller budget.
The point to take away from all this is that office design is not simply about interiors. Office design should affect the entire lot that you lease or own. After all, if you're paying for all that space, you should use every square foot to your clients and staff's advantage. For a few extra bucks, those added benefits are definitely worth it!
For more office relocation and design tips, check out http://movemybiz.com/design/office-design
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Good luck on your office renovation or move!
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