When it comes to office design and office refurbishment every office space is different and businesses needs are diverse but one common factor that all businesses share is they want to ensure that their office space is well designed, creates a productive working environment, reflects the values of their company and leaves a lasting impression.
Office Design Planning and Implementation
In previous articles we’ve looked at getting the most from your office through our office design tips, office planning and how to avoid office design and refurbishment mistakes.
In essence it’s vital that the planning stage of any office design and refurbishment is comprehensive and detailed. This should involve a survey and analysis of the available office space and include a review of how staff currently use the office and how they plan to use it in the future.
Understanding the tasks, processes, activities and functions that a business needs to use a space for allows for the best design so that available space is utilised in the most effective and efficient way while taking into account staff productivity, health and wellbeing.
Design concepts and 3D drawings are prepared to help to visualise what the office will look like before any work actually takes place. Design concepts are a great way to check that a new office design and refurbishment will meet all of the current businesses needs whole allowing for future expansion.
Once designs are agreed and signed off the work to bring the “concept” to life can take place. At this point your project manager, who will have in-depth knowledge of the project and its requirements, should take responsibility for the project and everything it entails including liaising with the business and on-site team who will be carrying out the work to ensuring all materials required for the project are on site to making sure everything is running to schedule and handling any issue that arises during the refurbishment.
Elevating Your Office Space With Your Office Design
So how do you elevate your office space? Next, we look at some of the elements which can raise your office design to the next level, and which are part and parcel of JBH Refurbishments ethos and office design and refurbishment process.
Customisation
As we’ve said before, when it comes to office design and refurbishment one size doesn’t fit all. Every business needs a customised office design and refurbishment plan to meet their specific business vision and to enable their processes and other operational functions to take place in an effective and efficient manner.
Understanding a business’s needs comes from taking the time to listen and gather the appropriate information to inform your office design. Taking a comprehensive customer brief is vital and should form part and parcel of the design process. Just as asking the right questions and giving advise based on sector expertise is also important to ensure the final office design will meet and exceed all of the client’s needs.
Personalisation
Understanding a business’s brand can inform design choices. Adding a personal touch and customising furnishings, features and equipment to reflect the unique identify and ethos of a business can make all the difference to an office design and make an office space more personal and welcoming to staff and its visitors.
Taking the time to understand and incorporate personal touches is important.
Attention To Detail
Attention to detail is important when it comes to office design and refurbishment. The design and refurbishment process is complex and involves many different components which rely on each other to come together to form the final product.
Thorough planning and implementation of every aspect of the project is required. Ensuring even the smallest element of an office design is planned and implemented carefully can be the difference between a successful project that meets the business objectives and exceeds client’s expectations or one that runs over budget, misses timelines, and doesn’t meet client’s needs.
Use of High Quality, Sustainable Materials
The type of desks, flooring, lighting, soft furnishings, and decorations used in an office design is important. Where possible using high quality, sustainable materials such as wood, stone or marble which adds a touch of elegance and elevates the overall aesthetic also ensures an office design’s overall usability, durability, and longevity.
High quality materials may cost a little more in the short term however material and products that have a long lifespan need less maintenance and reduce the need for replacements which mean they are more cost effective over time.
It’s also important to consider what products to use in your refurbishment from a sustainability perspective. Interestingly many high-quality, long-lasting products also come with good sustainability credentials.
Sustainability also means understanding when and how existing furniture, fixtures and fittings can be reused, recycled, or repaired e.g., glass partitioning, fire doors, office kitchen units and reception desks can be used again; wooden reception desks, panelling and shelving can be given a new lease of life.
Personal, Dedicated Project Manager
Planning and executing an office design and refurbishment project is complex. An office refurbishment is not just about redecorating or updating your office, it’s about ensuring you make the best use of all available space while ensuring your new office space meets and exceeds your business needs. Given that an office refurbishment may be the biggest expenditure that any business incurs, it shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. Without the right expertise and planning an office refurbishment project is likely to fail.
That’s why having a personal, dedicated office refurbishment project manager is essential to the smooth running of the project. Your project manager provides peace of mind, good communication and ensures the successful implementation and completion of your office refurbishment.
JBH Refurbishments, Experts In Office Design and Refurbishment
As a cat a and cat b fit out contractor for Kent and London with over 30 years experience JBH Refurbishments understand what’s required to carry out office design and office refurbishments to the highest standards. We can provide the right expertise for your project. Contact us via our contact form or by calling us on 0333 207 0339 today for a free on-site consultation.
