Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Identify Existing Issues before Redesigning Offices

By Fredrick Simmons

The theory of office design is a comparatively modern one. Since the beginning of "the working day" and "the office", little thought has been focused on the way an office was planned. If any planning was considered, it was mostly restricted to the aesthetic appeal of an office and this has, sadly, remained the usual assumption when someone considers an office design. Whilst visual aesthetics stay as a vital aspect of office design, modern staff now see office design embodying the much broader concept of space management. Cutting-edge office design software not only produces a visually beautiful interior, it also endeavours to create an efficient and practical working space.

Office design is necessary for a plethora of reasons, for both workers and the company as a whole. For the company, modern office design software gives the opportunity to create a place of business that proclaims a strong corporate identity. It is here that visual aesthetics reach their most important function as they serve to demonstrate to a visiting associate about the business, what it values, what its priorities are and what it thinks of itself. First impressions count and the visual appeal of the area that customers see initially is particularly vital.

For staff, too, good office design is particularly necessary. Visually, a well-designed work space will improve employees morale. An workplace should be an inspirational area to work and not just a "working space". Just as for customers, usingoffice refurbishment to brand a workplace with a strong corporate identity can encourage a positive work culture and motivate staff to work in a way relevant to the values of the corporation.

Modern office design software also has a more practical purpose as it takes into account how an office space will work and applies that information to design a practical and useful office. It should also include elements that will work to support staff with particular needs, such as staff with disabilities. In this regard, office design works harmoniously with workplace health and safety in order to build a cohesive, practical and enjoyable environment for all staff.

It is important to know that office design is an ongoing practicality, rather than a one-off design occurrence. The office design software must keep up to the demands inherent in a working space, where how an office is used is constantly changing. New workplace and safety laws must also be factored in. Finally, the evolving nature of a company's logo and corporate identity is an additional reason why it's crucial to keep office design modern.

There are two choices when considering office design software: whether it will be a new fit-out or whether it will be an office refurbishment. A new fit-out should be considered for current premises, as well as new ones, as it allows a corporation the unique ability to create a one-off design that works in conjunction with a corporation's workplace needs. The second choice is an office refurbishment, which is an good choice if the basic structure of the office is still appropriate for employees needs and gives the chance to update and modernize cost-effectively.

There are numerous aspects to consider in office design software. Priority should be given to considerations of how a space will be used. What are the traffic flows in the workplace? Where should meeting rooms be situated? What are the personal requirements of employees who may have special needs? All of these questions must be met by the office design software if a space is to work practically. Additionally, consideration should be given to the storage requirements of an workplace, what equipment will be used and where it should be located, where the power and data points are (or should be), what kind of light sources are in the workplace and where they are coming from and any sound or sound-proofing requirements. Visually, consideration should be given to color schemes, logos and finishes that work together to create a professional effect that reinforces the corporate brand and identity.

When thinking about how to develop and execute your office design, a business can hire a specialist design business. There are many businesses that work in corporate design and a business can draw on this expertise to develop a unique plan with a minimum of fuss. Another choice is to use office design software. This is an choice that has only become available to the general public relatively recently. It has the potential to allow a business to economically redesign or refurbish their working space. Whichever option is chosen, however, it should be the choice that will meet a businesses design ideas within budget.

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