Modern 21st-century offices are recognizably different from those of the 20th century. They have changed dramatically during the emergence of our technocentric age because of architectural innovations.
This trend is clearly reflected in the latest office buildings. As more of the workforce is changing into knowledge workers, employers are reevaluating their approach to managing their staff. Consequently, many trends are emerging in the workplace to make it a more positive working environment.
Here are some ways to ride these trends to make your employees healthier, happier, and more productive.
Provide Healthy Drinking Water
Since 60% of the human body is made up of water, you should provide your employees with plenty of office coolers. Lack of hydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and a significant drop in productivity.
In a region with hard water, a commercial water softener will replace calcium and magnesium minerals with sodium ions. This will result in a smoother taste. A properly maintained one will not have any complications for years if a certified technician checks it annually to ensure it is functioning properly.
Invest in Better Lighting
Investing in better office lighting has many benefits. Lighting can help increase workers’ productivity and reduce their eye strain. In addition, good lighting makes it easier for people to move around an office safely.
When choosing lighting, pick a system that provides enough light while minimizing energy consumption. LED lights, for instance, consume less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. These benefits make investing in better office lighting a smart business decision.
Create Spaces That Encourage CollaborationÂ
Despite centuries of evolution in office design, open office designs are a relatively recent phenomenon.
The idea of removing partitions came from Frank Lloyd Wright when he designed the SC Johnson headquarters in Wisconsin. It was then popularized by Eberhard and Wolfgang Schnelle. These two brothers created open offices to improve office communication. Since then, this has become the standard for modern office spaces worldwide.
Open office designs are intended to promote collaboration among employees, but they can sometimes have the opposite effect. If not designed correctly, open office spaces can be noisy, chaotic, and distracting.
Here are some tips for creating open office spaces that encourage social interactions:
- Create defined spaces: An open office can be challenging due to the noise and visual distractions it can cause. To mitigate this, designate certain areas for specific activities within the office. For example, consider setting up a meeting area for small group discussions, a quiet area for individual work, and a lounge area for breaks. This strategy can help to reduce distractions and promote more productive collaboration.
- Use sound-absorbing materials: You can reduce noise in an open office by using sound-absorbing materials such as carpets, rugs, or acoustic panels. Noise reduction materials help employees focus on their work better by reducing ambient noise.
- Furnish with comfortable seating: Provide comfortable seating to encourage social interactions. By investing in stylish and functional office furniture, you’ll create a space where employees will want to spend quality time together.
- Include plenty of natural light: Several studies have shown that natural light can improve employee productivity and well-being. So try to incorporate as much natural light into your office design as possible.
- Add greenery: Greenery can also improve the feel of an open office. Plants are known for reducing noise levels, improving air quality, and creating a more pleasant environment.
Create the Right Environment to Encourage Productivity
New office building trends can make your employees more productive. You can create a productive work environment by installing high-quality drinking water coolers, improving lighting, and designing inviting open office spaces.
