Can Office Design Affect Productivity?

For most businesses, office design is not often given a massive amount of thought. However, simple, inexpensive adjustments to your office can have a huge impact on the level of morale and team spirit in the workplace, with the desired outcome of happy staff and, consequently, better results and productivity.

Key to creating an office space that boosts productivity is understanding that office design ought to reflect the type of work carried out by your staff, whilst remaining within the guidelines of your company’s culture. For example, a traditional contact centre calls for a more traditional, cubicle/row set-up that makes the most effective use of the space offered. Whilst, at first glance, you may think that such a rigid set-up would actually be counter-productive, it actually encourages focused, structured thinking – and you can still include elements of a more ‘modern’ layout by replacing the typical battleship grey desks with colourful worktops, comfortable and welcoming break out rooms, inspirational images and brightly coloured walls. The result? A work-oriented space that drives productivity whilst boosting teamwork and morale through lively décor.

At the other end of the spectrum, a workplace that thrives on free-flowing thought, lively discussion and team activity may well benefit from a thoroughly modern space. It’s time to think Google…

OK, so whilst slides, fireman poles and scooters might not go down too well with the boss, there are plenty of aspects of this thoroughly forward thinking business that can be incorporated into a ‘real’ everyday office, boosting creative thinking and productivity;

These brightly painted ‘outdoor’ walls give the illusion of a bigger, more open space, which, in turn, encourages more open thought and creativity.

There is nothing ground-breaking about this breakout room – except…it’s not a breakout room! This is, in fact, a meeting room! With a combination of more structured tables and chairs, as well as softer furnishings, the balance encourages creativity whilst still offering space for more focused thinking. Ken Giannini, Interior Design Director for Google’s London office stated that ‘all [of] the Google staff are up for innovation, brilliant ideas and they like to be challenged. We also recognise that Google is a serious business and demands efficiency, value and solutions that can support their business practices. This project has it all – a fun working environment that also incorporates lots of practical solutions.’

Now, surely, this is something that most businesses strive for?