The way an office is designed has a huge impact on the way your people work, and ultimately, the success of your business. The past few years have seen a rapid shift in the way we work and in the way we must work, pandemic considered.
Going forward, organisations must be more flexible in their approach toward office-based working, for a number of reasons, most of which benefit the business. Below, we’ll take a closer look at these benefits and how exactly your business can create the ideal flexible office fit-out, to propel your business forward in 2022.
But first of all, what exactly is flexible office design?
What is flexible office design?
Flexible office design is an approach that aims to create a workspace catering to all kinds of activities, people, and objectives. In essence, it’s a design approach that places a business in the best possible position to deal with any necessary changes in the way it operates, as well as being able to cater to the needs of its employees.
What are the benefits of flexible office design?
The benefits of implementing flexibility into your Sydney office fit-out are numerous.
Maximise your space
Designing with agility in mind will help ensure that you get the most out of your office or workspace. If for example, you install workstations that are easily readjusted and relocated, you can quickly and easily adjust to changes in staff numbers, or the need for extra floorspace. This sort of feature can also help to open up your space for collaborative working, seminars, activities such as exercise classes and much more.
Happier workers
One of the most essential facets of flexible office design is catering to the needs of different workers in your organisation. When you offer your employees a choice in terms of where (and how) they work in your space, you’ll be met with increased levels of happiness and job satisfaction. And in turn, this happiness translates into strong employee relationships, more creativity and a more relaxed workplace.
Innovation
Fostering innovation at work is a must, no matter your industry. Unfortunately, studies have shown that businesses that retain a fixed fit-out that adheres to traditional working values experience less innovation in the workplace. On the other hand, a flexible space that allows workers from different teams and areas ‘cross-pollinate’ leads to more innovation and creativity.
This innovation can take many forms, whether that be ideas around how to nail a big project, new thinking around sustainable initiatives, creating a healthier workspace or even innovating your existing office further. Whatever the ideas, innovation is always a great outcome.
Attract top talent
Bringing the best talent into your organisation should always be a key objective. This is an important part of remaining at the forefront of a competitive industry, and fostering innovation and growth in the workplace. However, the best people won’t be enamoured by a static, outdated office fit-out.
On the other hand, flexibility has been shown to play a big part in attracting new talent to businesses. The appeal of flexible working, which allows employees to work in whatever way they want to, is an attractive prospect to workers. Delivering a flexible space, with dynamic approaches to working, will increase your likelihood of attracting the best people.
How do you create a truly flexible office fit-out?
So you’re aware of the benefits that flexibility in the office brings. But how exactly do you create a Sydney office fit-out that makes your workspace truly dynamic? The first step is to work with a Sydney office design and fit-out company like Niche Projects.
We’ll work with you to tailor a space that caters to your flexibility aims and needs, that won’t break the banks. These are just some of the components and approaches to a fit-out or refurbishment that can help transform your office for the better.
Modular workstations
Modular workstations are a great addition to any workspace, particularly if you’re looking to create a working area that can be reconfigured quickly and easily. These desks are easy to set-up and easy to pack down, and can be shifted without much effort. That will leave your business poised and ready to adjust your workspace at a moments notice.
Activity-Based Working
Activity-based working (ABW) is the idea of creating different spaces for different activities, and approaches to work. This is flexible working in action, and designing your office with ABW in mind will ensure that your people are able to operate in the way that best suits their strengths.
For example, you may break the main floor of your office into three separate areas:
- A space for collaborative working, where employees can be loud, sharing ideas.
- A quiet working area, for employees who prefer to work without distraction.
- A fun workspace, where staff can operate as normal, but with different stimuli and furniture, such as couches and beanbags. This helps promote creativity.
Employees who have the option of choosing where they work will be happier, more productive and more communicative at work.
Foster your culture
The way your office is laid out will have an impact on workplace culture, either for the better or the worse. This is because the workspaces you provide will determine how your employees interact with each other, and with management.
For example, static offices without any collaborative spaces and dreary decor will inevitably prevent staff from communicating in an effective (and fun) way. On the other hand, by ensuring that your fit-out makes use of spaces that foster collaboration and communication, you’ll also be helping to improve the culture.
Your people will have more fun in well designed spaces that veer away from the norm, and in turn, culture will improve drastically.
Invest in the experience
Investing in better technology will make the day-to-day experience of your employees much more enjoyable, and less stressful. For example, keeping up to date with computer hardware and software will reduce delays due to bugs, and ideally, will be much more pleasing for your staff to actually use. It’s always important to keep the user-experience of your staff at the forefront of your mind and by providing this up-to-date technology, you’ll be delivering for your people.
Be sustainable, always
These days, sustainability must be a non-negotiable in any office fit-out or refurbishment project. The key elements that simply must be taken into consideration are:
- Natural elements like plants and light
- Waste management
- Conserving water and energy
- Use of sustainable materials.
Including these elements and approaches into your flexible fit-out will not only make your office more eco-friendly, but will be sure to improve the happiness of your staff. In fact, numerous studies have shown that by incorporating natural elements into your workspace, you’ll be greatly decreasing stress levels among staff. That’s a fantastic result for everyone!
To discuss your flexible Sydney office fit-out in 2022, get in touch with Niche Projects today.
