Office design has so many facets: employee comfort and well-being, brand building and awareness, aesthetics, and functionality. When moving a unique office concept from blueprint to reality, it's easy to get swept up in the new and exciting, but how can you ensure your office design stays on the right side of innovation and doesn't cross into gimmicky?
Purpose Driven Design
Beautiful and adventurous offices attract talent. It's a fact that the hottest minds want to work in the greatest locations, and having a structure that takes your breath away leaves an impression that your company is not afraid to express itself and make a statement.
The trick is to make sure that statement has a purpose.
Google's Playground
Google's playground offices caused waves in the design world. Soon, every startup and established wanted billiard and ping pong tables, slides instead of stairs, and open plan offices with furniture you had to stare at to figure out how to sit on it. But copying their design isn't always a great idea. Employees at Google have complained the slides ruin their clothes and they only used them once--on their first day. Those who sit near the slides are subjected to the constant noise of new employees and visitors hollering as they take their first ride, and it's more of a distraction than any purpose it might serve.
Design that encourages the behavior you want--mobile work areas for a mobile tech company, or cafés for a coffee company--should be foremost in your mind when considering any office redesign.
While the culture at Google may consider the game rooms a great place for creative thinkers to brainstorm, at a company whose industry doesn't turn on quite the same dime, long sessions over a pool table could be detrimental to productivity and those playing seen as slackers.
Design that encourages the behavior you want--mobile work areas for a mobile tech company, or cafés for a coffee company--should be foremost in your mind when considering any office redesign.
If a design feature has a reason to exist besides that it looks great or is a conversation starter, then chances are it has a purpose and isn't a gimmick.
Incorporating your brand is more than putting your logo and company colors on the walls. It's about fostering a sense of belonging and brand loyalty. But putting obstacles in the way of your employees in the form of inconvenient or distracting design elements doesn't foster long-term growth.
Intention Matters
The log-on anywhere freedom of younger generations is becoming a must, creating a need for flexible work spaces to fit all types of workers. But not all workers are thrilled with hot-desking in an open office. Noise distractions frustrate employees looking for somewhere to get their jobs done.