Johannesburg - It’s evident that the future of the office is fun. From high-rise buildings to a transformed garage, workplace environments matter. A creative, functional office can set the tone for everything a company does.
When you look at leading companies such as Google and Facebook, which require smart, creative and in-demand workers, fun and open-plan collaborative offices offer a competitive edge when trying to attract the cream of the crop.
It makes sense, since professionals spend more hours at the office each week than they do at home. An office that provides space for group gatherings, brainstorming, relaxation and collaboration boosts productivity and gives staff an attractive reason to come to work each day.
1. Create breakaway areas. However small your workspace, make sure staff have somewhere they can access when they need a break.
2. Think about lighting. Efficient lighting, natural sunlight and views of the outdoors are a fundamental design principle used for employee wellbeing – it alleviates eyestrain and improves worker comfort.
3. Tear down the walls. These days, everyone wants to collaborate – it helps by getting more minds thinking about the same problem, and it can be a fun, social experience.
4. Think about the next generations. Younger Gen-Y workers are more interested in work being an experience instead of taking place in a strict, task-oriented workplace.
5. Use colour. It will further enhance productivity and lift the workforce mood. Remember that a strong, bright colour will stimulate and a colour with low saturation will soothe