Page 35 - Business Info

magazine

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Office design

Working practices have changed

greatly in the last decade as

developments in communications

and mobile computing have liberated

people to work where and when

they want and greater awareness of

the benefits of flexible working has

revolutionised the use of office space.

So much so that an office designed 10

or 20 years ago is unlikely to meet the

requirements of a business today.

Autodesk is a case in point. In

2001, the leader in engineering and

design software had taken a 20-year

lease on a six-storey office block in

Farnborough, keeping three floors for

its UK headquarters and sub-letting the

other three. By 2011, it was obvious that

these offices were no longer adequate:

According to research by Maris Interiors, UK businesses waste more than

£135 billion a year on unused office space, with an average utilisation rate of just

50%. The occupancy rate in the Farnborough HQ of Autodesk was even lower at

just 31%. So when a break option came up half-way through the 20-year lease

on their old building, the design and engineering software company seized the

opportunity to move to new offices and transform its working environment.

Inspirational by design

Never underestimate

the importance of an

inspiring workplace.

The average worker

will spend 100,000

hours or 15.5% of his

lifetime sitting at a

desk, so providing a

working environment

that is both inspiring

and motivating is

essential. Here, Paul

Finch, joint founder and CEO of Orega,

gives his top tips on how to create an

inspiring work place.

n

Agree the scope of the project:

decide if

you want to opt for a whole new premise,

or simply retrofit your existing space.

n

Make the best of what the building has

to offer:

think about how you can make

the best use of space and ensure that

you are letting in as much natural light as

possible.

n

Put a plan in place:

you need to outline

the budget, objectives and delivery process,

as well the taskforce. It’s always good to

have a member of the management team

lead the project, to aid with approvals.

n

Communicate internally:

run an internal

workshop to offer existing workers the

opportunity to provide crucial feedback

toward what currently works and what

doesn’t in your existing office environment.

They will have ideas for improvement that

you perhaps hadn’t previously considered;

plus a valued worker is a loyal worker!

n

Inject some colour:

think strategically;

what are your brand colours? Can this be

incorporated wider than just decoration

and furnishings, like lights and office

stationery?

n

Provide a focal break out area:

a place

where employees can come together

and engage with each other, which will

positively impact morale. This does not

need to be costly, why not make space for

just a sofa with some music, or even

make a deal with a local coffee shop?

n

Don’t forget the little extras:

incorporating plants, pictures and

encouraging staff to personalise their desks

can really help people feel engaged with

their surroundings.

n

Think beyond interior design:

the

integration of technology is key. It is no

longer just a case of having a telephone

line, a broadband connection and a fax.

You should be educated in the range of

specifications available and align your

technology to your real working and staff

demands.

n

Continue to improve:

Schedule in

quarterly “inspire me” sessions where staff

are encouraged to share ideas. Keeping it

fresh and listening to your staff will ensure

you maintain your inspirational workplace

today and in the future.

Founded in 2000, Orega is a fast growing

provider of managed and serviced offices.

There are 11 Orega Centres throughout the

UK, from Gatwick to Manchester and London

to Bristol, and the company plans to open

Page 35 - Business Info - Issue 110