Office interior design has proved to be one of the crucial elements helping organizations in employee retention, employee satisfaction and employee productivity. An experienced office interior design firm exploits the key components of interior design to create a space that is not just aesthetically pleasing but also comfortable and functional for productivity. Here are some of the important factors to be considered whilst designing a happy and productive workplace:

 

1)    Access:

The workplace design should facilitate easy access to both planned and spontaneous meetings. Whilst there are formal conference rooms equipped with a table, videoconferencing stations, speakers and closed doors for planned meetings, there should be break-out areas, lounges or other informal spaces adjacent to the workstation for a quick unplanned discussion. Employees should also have access to natural daylight and fresh air as it positively impacts their well-being and productivity. It also affects employees' mood, alertness and metabolism whilst regulating their sleeping cycle.

 

2)    Comfort:

Employee's discomfort takes a heavy toll on the organisation's overall productivity as well as on their individual health.  Headaches, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome are some of the bad effects of an uncomfortable work environment resulting in increased absenteeism and liability costs. A comfortable workplace depends on ergonomics, lighting, air quality and temperature control. Since employees spent most of the time sitting in their chairs, it is preferable to use ergonomic office chairs that allow long hours of work without back pain. More importantly, the monitor screen should be placed properly in accordance to their eye levels. The work environment should be equipped with the right amount of natural and artificial lighting sources. Whilst there are tube lights, bulbs and other artificial sources, there should also be sufficient windows and other openings for the passage of natural light and fresh air. The temperature of the room should also be ideal around 21.6 degrees Celsius. The HVAC system needs to be cleaned and regularly maintained to create a comfortable working environment. Additionally, employees can also be given personal control over the temperature so that they can adjust according to their requirements. This level of control helps in improved productivity.

 

3)    Flexibility:

In modern times, the workplace should be designed in a way that it can be easily adapted to the changing demands of the business. Flexibility can be achieved by installing fit-outs and furniture that supports mobility. Reconfigurable furniture and modular wall face panels help to meet the need of changing layouts whilst being easily reconfigurable to adjust in the new space.  Workstations should offer a flexible layout that supports collaboration as well as privacy. It should be equipped with technology that facilitates communication, easy exchange of information and movement of employees in the workspace. Wireless technology need to be integrated so that employees can work from any place any time. Standing desks can also be accommodated to enable employees to work in a standing position. Such added flexibility boosts the employee's efficiency and productivity.

 

Thus, for a workplace design to be an instrumental tool in achieving organisational success, it needs to be accessible, comfortable and flexible for the employees.