Since it is February, we can feel love in the air. And as such, it’s a good time to express love and appreciation for design features in today’s modern offices spaces. Consider incorporating these nine ideas to bring more joy, fun, and wellness into the built environment.
1. Historic Buildings
Many cities around the world have beautiful historically significant buildings, and as designers, we should strive to transform and to bring new life to places and spaces that have so much tell us. Our recent Dallas County Records Complex project is a fitting example of this work.
It boasts a rich, storied history, from hosting the trial of Jack Ruby and the jail cell of Clyde Barrow to its site overlooking historic Dealey Plaza. Sensitive to the significance of the three historic buildings – The Criminal Courts Building, the Records Building, and the Annex – preserving the integrity of historic building facades while accommodating modern functionality required a delicate balance. The meticulous restoration of the facades pays homage to the City of Dallas building’s history while giving occupants a deeper understanding of the building’s context. Historic architectural elements in our cities are valuable and it’s important to preserve them for future generations to enjoy.
2. Daylight & Views
We love office space that has access to daylight and views to the outside. In our office from every desk, we can see mature trees, drought tolerant plants and native landscape vegetation in full bloom year-round. Half of the office has views of the green plaza on our campus. Everyone can use lounge furniture, games and café tables and chairs on the outdoor terrace. When the weather is pleasant, we go outside to recharge and relax. Having outdoor space directly next to our office allows for people to meet easily when the weather is nice and accommodating. Often, the landlord is playing light relaxing music in some areas of the plaza.
Our team recently served as the interior designer for a financial services firm to enhance their workspace. The client was thrilled with the way the new space brought the outside in. The interior glass walls, wide hallways, and window-lined community and kitchen space filled the office with natural light. Added touches with woodwork and plant design throughout also brought in a relaxing warmth. We were able to help make their vision a reality by finding the balance with their technical needs for the space with the feeling they wanted it to create.
3. Quiet Library Spaces
More office spaces today have quiet library areas. With so many types of people working in the modern office today, some need a space to go to that is completely silent. It’s useful and productive when we can offer desk space for someone to work, plus areas with soft comfortable lounge seating that provides a nice respite from open work areas with traditional style desk seating. And of course, provide shelves for books for research and inspiration. Library spaces are most attractive if they have windows with views to the outdoors and adjustable curtains or shades for people to adjust easily. Choose soft materials for the floor such as carpet to enhance acoustical properties of the space. Locate the room in a place that is easily accessible to all staff and away from noisy areas such as main entrances and work cafes.
4. Amenities Within Walking Distance
Office spaces with numerous retail and restaurant options within walking distance from the building are in demand. Our office has two grocery stores that are a short walk away, which makes it great for a quick stop in for grab and go lunch, or to do some after work shopping. It’s also good when there is a charming neighborhood coffee shop close by, and access to walking trails or sidewalks to spend a few minutes taking in nature, movement and clearing the mind.
5. Game Areas
We have cornhole boards on our second-floor outdoor terrace which is a terrific way to take a short break and challenge a co-worker to a friendly game. Opportunities for game areas can create more laughter and give people moments to enjoy fresh air, sunshine and views of the surrounding trees.
Once a year, we turn our office space into a putt-putt course. Our in-house design teams come up with imaginative ideas for the holes throughout the office.
Often centered around a funny theme teams get into the cheerful spirit with costumes and outfits in hopes of winning memorable prizes for the most creative or best dressed, etc. Playing a game of putt putt, on essentially a homemade, budget friendly course results in hilarious moments and many smiles with your co-workers.
6. Local Art
It is a good idea to incorporate local artwork into office spaces. It can be very inspiring when we partner with local artist to create something unique for the culture of our client. On a recent project for a law firm, we intentionally designated open wall space for a large mural in the work café. This was a fantastic opportunity for more color, inspiration, culture, and highlight local flair.
7. Technology Everywhere
It’s nice to take a laptop to another spot in the office to collaborate with co-workers. Today, as more people – who were accustomed to easy at-home connection – are back in the office, they’re needing technology functions and hook ups that are efficient and adaptable. Speed and production are now the norm, and offices that provide employees with these options will be more in demand. Connections to technology sharing need to be simple and easy for anyone to use without asking for help. Discretely on the tables, it is helpful to provide a laminated flyer with easy-to-follow instructions for connecting to the technology. Include clear to read fonts with quick step by step visual instructions.
8. Breaking Bread Together
Our office has global potluck events that our DE&I Committee hosts every year, and it brings people together to share and enjoy diverse types of food and cultures over the lunchtime in the office. This is a wonderful chance for us to learn more about each other’s family heritage. The food offerings showcase a wide variety of dishes from all over the world that are delightful and delicious.
9. Safe Places
Incorporate intentional spaces for card readers and video cameras from the first stages of the design. Also consider cameras and security locations along the path from the employee entrances to the parking areas. When employees leave the office when it’s dark, having cameras in visible locations makes the environment feel safer. Some people intentionally like to walk past the security guard location to say hello, good night and simply express appreciation.
Employees need to feel physically and psychologically safe and comfortable in the office. Promote an environment that brings innovative ideas to work. Incorporate bulletin boards and marker boards in the office space for people to share ideas openly. Be willing to protect employees if the ideas fail and encourage a sense of “failing fast” to move on, learn, and grow. Humans are not perfect, and all lessons learned have value. Create an atmosphere that welcomes sharing failures so others on the team don’t make the same mistakes. It is especially helpful to the new generation of workers to learn from one another and it’s okay to fail on occasion.
Looking Ahead
While there are distinct differences in how people work, one thing is clear: office spaces are changing and evolving. The most successful workplaces must be compelling centers that offer employees a variety of areas where they can focus, connect, socialize, relax, and collaborate. Workplaces and office buildings that create meaningful and unique experiences that build a sense of community, connection, fun and well-being have a competitive advantage over those that don’t. Looking to the future, we must design spaces that are adaptable enough to endure challenges and flexible enough to rapidly evolve with the changing demands of the workforce.
The workplace of the future can be a place where people want to be, where they feel part of a larger purpose and community, and where they feel cared for as a person. Now is the time to put people first, to encourage the joy of being at work, and to create a feeling of positive energy in the workplace.
Images courtesy of Gensler.
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