4 Challenges companies can solve through office design

Every company faces different challenges, so an office design project is never a one-size-fits-all approach. With so many variables from company to company, there is a requirement for design solutions to be adaptable and customisable. This is to ensure that the specific design solutions respond directly to the needs of each company.

Although each company has their own challenges, there are trends that frequently form the drivers and motivations behind office design projects. While there is a big focus on incorporating flexibility into the workplace as well as attracting staff back into the office, there are specific challenges relating to different sectors, locations and headcounts.

To further understand how we can best support our clients and the varied scenarios they’re facing, we conducted a survey of our existing clients to understand the challenges they were facing and why they chose to partner with us on their office design projects. From the companies we spoke to, we highlighted the top four challenges we helped them overcome and how office design helps provide a solution to these problems.

Four ways office design can help businesses

As every business works in a unique way, it is impossible to take a cookie-cutter approach to office design. With so many variations of ways of working and business culture, there are more than just four key challenges. We have highlighted our findings from our client engagement study that present common scenarios that we have seen most frequently.

By presenting these examples, we hope to demonstrate our understanding of the process that businesses go through and how you can build a strategy to plan your office design project.

1. Space Optimisation

When we talk about space optimisation, we are focusing primarily on using existing space to its full potential and getting the most value from it. Sometimes people refer to this as ‘sweating your asset’ and usually leads to changing the layout of your office space to increase efficiency within your workplace.

With a shift to hybrid working resulting in new working patterns and larger percentages of remote workers, businesses are focusing on optimising their space. This usually presents companies with the question of whether to stay in their current office or to move to another space.

In some circumstances, relocating to a new office may be the best option but it can also be expensive if the reasons for moving aren’t robust. Space optimisation allows companies to remain in their current space by optimising their space for better functionality and improved performance. Desk reconfiguration and adjusting the layout of your office space to improve team adjacencies. Minor changes like these can help you transform your working environment as well as increase collaboration and productivity. people using it day in, day out. (Why not download our Hybrid working Guide for some insights)

2. Company Growth

Growth is one of the most common reasons for companies to move to a new office. While there are some options available to accommodate an increased headcount without relocating, these are temporary measures and may not be cost effective eventually.

Typically, companies will look to accommodate more people either through business growth or through merging teams from separate locations under one roof. The challenge this can present for companies though is that it is essential to understand the amount of space they require and how that space will perform.

Taking additional space due to company expansion without understanding the organisation’s ways of working can create more challenges than it solves. If you are looking to support growth in your business, we recommend that you start by working out how much space you need. Staff engagement initiatives or more developed workplace consultancy programs can help discover development areas and help build a brief. Visit this page for more information.

3. Employee Satisfaction

Employee satisfaction and the need for businesses to attract and retain top talent has become increasingly important across all sectors. While working patterns have enabled increased flexibility, time in the office has proven itself to be even more valuable when staff do make the commute.

When we worked with heating and air innovation company Daikin, one of their main goals was to make a first-class environment that their staff would be proud of. Their approach to getting the space right for the people was proven to be successful upon the completion of their project as stated by HSQE and Facilities Manager, Simon Hillson.

“All the staff have loved the designs and the new spaces completed so far. So much in fact that, since the refurbishment we now have more staff coming into those offices on a regular basis. The quality of the work is first class.”

Due to the rise in remote work, there is a big push on creating impactful experiences in the workplace. This revolves around ensuring that employees are getting value out of their time in the office and not sitting alone on calls all day. Creating a destination space that staff want to be in is a key factor in boosting morale and productivity. Employees will vote with their vote and the responsibility is on the employers to curate workplaces that lure staff back into the office.

4. Brand and Image

A workspace acts as the home of a business and if a space doesn’t reflect the brand identity or values of a business it can create a feeling of disconnection and misalignment.

Whether you’ve recently undergone a brand refresh or it’s just time to update your working environment, there is huge value in creating a strong impression for staff and guests when they walk into your space.

There are a number of ways to incorporate your brand within your space and elevate your identity. It’s more intricate than using brand colour paint and a large logo in reception. There needs to be a strategic approach to allow your space to foster your core values and allow staff to see them in action. The days of writing your values on the walls are gone and staff are seeking purpose.

It is important for staff to feel this sense of purpose if they are going to feel connected to the brand. Gartner explains that employees seek personal value in the workplace and that employees are more likely to feel invested in their organisation if they have deeper connections and a shared purpose.

How does office design help solve business challenges?

Office design can help solve business challenges by presenting innovative ideas and options into an organisation. There are many examples of how redesigning an office can transform a business but if you don’t know what challenges you’re trying to solve it is difficult to provide a solution that delivers impact.

While many companies face challenges around productivity and collaboration, it is essential to understand where these challenges come from. Companies are increasingly using data and workplace consultancy to help them understand the way their teams work and how they occupy office space. Office design can solve a number of business challenges but by taking the time to understand what those exact challenges are, you can remove the risk of guesswork.

If your business is currently facing any of the above challenges or similar scenarios that need a strategic solution, get in touch with one of our team to discuss your next office relocation or refurbishment project.