The purpose of change
The main purpose of a building is to support it's occupants in performing their jobs (preferably at minimum cost). Along side this functional purpose, office buildings have an important social and corporate function.
The design and layout of spaces can, for example encourage interaction and simulate creativity. Furthermore your office space can convey a strong message to employees and visitors about the organisations brand or identity.
Reduction of Costs
Cost reduction is a major objective in many projects.
Accommodation is expensive and not always utilized as effectively as it could be.
On average workstations in office buildings are physically occupied approximately 60% of the time.
Reduction of workspace reduces heating, power, maintenance costs etc.
Increased Flexibilty
Closely related to cost reduction is the desire to create a flexible office environment.
As today’s organisations experience frequent changes in both structure and work processes, buildings need to facilitate these changes when they occur (at minimum cost and with minimum disruption to the business.)
Productivity
Staff Productivity
The most important objective is also the most difficult one: to improve productivity.
It is about improving staff output whilst reducing or fixing costs.
Although reducing costs is often the main objective, there is a growing case for providing a more effective work environment to improve employee performance.
Employee Interaction
Interaction between employees is critical for organizational performance.
The exchange of information and knowledge helps to improve teamwork, social cohesion and the cross-fertilization of ideas.
The layout of the work environment plays a crucial role in this.
Stimulate Creativity
Creativity is rapidly gaining importance for organizations. Many businesses excel through their capacity for continuous innovation, for which creativity is essential.
Layout and design of the work environment plays a crucial role, creating spaces that stimulate ideas.
Company Culture & Brand
Company Brand
Branding is about creating a particular image or perception of the organisation and its products or services among customers, suppliers etc.
Traditionally, branding has been strongly focused on logos, websites, and advertisements.
However, the physical work environment can also be used to convey a particular message or identity, working as a showcase to the outside world.
Attract & Retain Staff
For almost any organisation, attracting good quality staff and retaining them is critical.
This can be done by providing good conditions of employment, but the physical work environment can also play an important role.
Providing employees with comfortable, attractive surroundings tells them that they are valued and helps to make a good impression on job applicants.
Company Culture
Many organisations spend a great deal of money and energy on rethinking and changing their corporate culture.
Changing a culture, however, is one of the most difficult tasks. Culture is deeply rooted and therefore difficult to transform.
Office design however can be a powerful tool for ‘change’ in this process.
Reducing Environmental Impact
Office buildings have a large impact on the environment both in their construction and operation.
Next to transport and travel, buildings are the largest consumer of energy and therefore a significant contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases.
Furthermore, the operation of office buildings requires significant amounts of water and leads to considerable waste. Good office design can minimize the impact of a building on the environment.
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