A healthy office is a productive office, which in turn is a clear driver towards a profitable and successful business. So if your start-up is working in cramped conditions out of a spare room, over a garage, or in an utterly unsuitable accommodation, it’s time to get serious about your location.
Fit for purpose space
You’ll find that you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to looking at the office space Kingston has to offer. From new builds with flexible serviced packages to suit, to beautiful old building renovations with long term leases and the opportunity to make your personal mark, the area is well served for office space. It helps to use the services of a commercial property consultant to establish your key needs and to seek out the right accommodation that matches them – in terms of location, ‘best fit’, brand presence, key stakeholder requirements, and, of course, your budget.
Developing the space
If you work in a business that needs a high degree of customisation, you may find that a stand-alone unit works best for you, with a longer-term lease that allows you real flexibility to decorate and arrange the space as you like. If, however, this requirement is not an overriding one, you may find that the flexibility of serviced accommodation does suit you. Some of these units offer benefits such as the opportunity to brand your area to a certain degree anyway, and this will suit a great number of businesses.
Layout and design
A well laid out office can greatly aid productivity, morale and energy flow. Look for a layout which allows staff to move freely, and avoids cluttered spaces. Look for a flow of movement, excellent storage and plenty of natural light. Consider adding plants to better balance the oxygen mix within the office and to remove the harmful effects of IT equipment and carbon dioxide. Encourage light in by using the right window dressings, which eliminate glare without cutting out the benefits of natural light, and embrace colours which stimulate creativity, work and interaction.
Ideally and from a visual perspective, you want to create a sense of space and movement by using devices such as glass partitions, low level storage, clean desk policies and open walkways. You can still create private breakout and meeting spaces with meeting areas and grouped chairs with acoustic panels if needs be. Look into modular furniture which allows regular change according to needs.
Hygiene factors
Remember to take care of the details too – lift access is vital for staff with disabilities and also for deliveries! Remember to ensure that your new or potential office space complies with fire safety and access guidelines. Consider the essentials such as canteen facilities, water dispensers, vending machines and breakout spaces for relaxation, team meetings and general conversation. This is likely to be particularly important for creative, media, digital or technological businesses.
Remember too that air quality is very important. If windows can be opened then fresh air is always desirable to workplace energy, but otherwise a good air conditioning system is vital. A stuffy and warm office will rapidly diminish energy levels and can also make the workplace unhealthy by spreading germs. Think broadly, and think healthy!
