Are you a workplace group that has been chosen to be responsible for office workplace design? Are you unsure how to go about it, or do you need tips on what to keep in mind when it comes to office design? Then you've come to the right place. At Officeguru, we've gathered a number of tips and points you should be aware of. We cover requirements for office workspace design, how to create a modern office design, and what you should be aware of when designing an open plan office. We hope you enjoy reading along!
As a manager or HR manager, there are a number of office workspace design requirements you need to comply with. And as an employee or staff member, you are of course entitled to ensure that these requirements are met. At the Danish Working Environment Authority, you can read about all the requirements for office design, but we also provide you with a selection below.
Physical requirements for office design
There are a number of physical requirements for office workspace design. For example, there must be at least 2.5 meters from floor to ceiling and the floor area must be at least 7 square meters. In addition, the rules state that the workspace must have 12 cubic meters of air per person.
Daylight and visibility
It's important that there is both a sufficient amount of daylight during the day in the office, and the workplace should strive to provide a good view of the surroundings. For humans to function optimally, it is important that we get a certain amount of daylight every day to maintain our normal circadian rhythm.
Facilities
Of course, there must be access to a toilet and washbasin - that almost goes without saying. But there are also a number of other requirements for office design that relate to workplace facilities. For example, there must be a dining area for employees to eat lunch, as well as proper storage for food and drinks. There should also be access to a cloakroom and the ability for employees to lock up their belongings.
Work desk and work chair
When working in an office, it's important to be able to regulate and adjust your desk and work chair to allow you to work and move in the most appropriate working positions. The work chair should also be of a model that allows freedom of movement and the possibility of appropriate working posture.
Read more at theDanish Working Environment Authority.
There are thousands of opinions on style and interior design when it comes to fashion, home decor and modern office design. What works and what doesn't? We've put together a range of ideas for designing your office workspace to create a modern office interior that encourages contemplation, collaboration, job satisfaction and a healthy working environment.
When it comes to designing your office workspace, the most important word iscomfort. It's crucial to consider comfort and take into account that many employees spend many hours in front of a screen every day. That's why it's essential that all employees are comfortable and can change postures throughout the day. Provide comfortable and decent desks (preferably with height adjustment) and work chairs so that each employee has the best possible opportunity to move freely and change working positions.
Some people work best at their desk in front of the computer all day, while others need to be able to sit in something soft with a cup of coffee and read through the annual report, for example. Some people need to spar several times during the day - and need a proper place to do so without disturbing their colleagues.
A modern office design thinks in terms of zones and division of the office so that everyone can fulfill their need for peace, sparring or contemplation. Create different and inspiring zones with different furniture and types of decor; the office itself with a desk, work chair and computer, the meeting room with cool screens, large meeting tables and comfortable chairs, the lounge with sofas and soft armchairs for sparring - the possibilities are endless!
Many people can relate to drawing inspiration from nature. Whether it's a picnic in the autumn colors, a dive under the sea, or maybe just a nap in a hammock in the sunshine with birds chirping in the air. Many of nature's shapes, colors and patterns can be used as a starting point for modern office design.
Create an inspiring office interior with pleasant colors on the walls, wooden materials, office furniture in soft and curved shapes (that are comfortable to sit in, of course) or maybe lamps shaped like clouds? Another easy way to bring nature into your office interior is with beautiful green plants - they bring life, fresh air and create a pleasant working environment with something nice to look at.
Most people don't like light. And natural light is actually really important for humans - both in the form of sunlight to fulfill our natural need for vitamin D, and in the form of daily light as it affects our mood, circadian rhythm and overall health. That's why it's important to think about light when designing your office workspace.
If you have large windows, that's a good start - it's a good idea to make sure that people sit next to the windows. If windows are few or small, consider investing in artificial lighting so that people are stimulated by light similar to daylight. A modern office design incorporates a healthy working environment where employees feel comfortable during working hours and where the sun's rays are utilized in the best possible way, even when sitting inside.
Although modern office design ensures that employees get enough daylight, it's also very important to be able to shield the sun's rays when the clock strikes 12 o'clock on hot summer days, for example. During the summer, the sun can be very hot and in most offices, the temperature will rise due to the heat and the sun's rays.
When it comes to office interior design, you should therefore ensure you have proper sun protection - if nothing else, you should be able to draw some curtains or blinds over the windows. It has also become popular for many companies to invest in electronic awnings that sit on the windows outside, as these are great for regulating both heat and light from outside.
In the workplace, good acoustics are important to maintain a good and healthy working environment. Therefore, it's essential that you think about acoustic solutions when designing your office workspace. A modern office design should therefore allow for the possibility of using sound-absorbing partitions in the office, providing good ceiling acoustics so that there is not too much noise when people talk in the office, etc.
Many suppliers of acoustic solutions for the office also think about how nice it should look - so there are plenty of opportunities to find pictures with acoustic functions or notice boards that are sound-absorbing, for example. If you have a lot of people in the office, screen walls can also be a great solution as they both screen out sound and can often be used as notice boards.
Storage doesn't just have to be boring drawers under the desk or chalk-white IKEA shelves that just sit around collecting dust. A modern office interior can therefore benefit from creative storage solutions that bring some life to the office. This could be shelving in different, inspiring and decorative colors, or it could be beautiful and functional pull-out cabinets that both look good and provide plenty of storage space.
When it comes to furnishing your office workspace, it's wise to think about quality and durable solutions. This has a number of benefits that are good for both the climate and the working environment. Choose furniture that is produced with a focus on robust materials, longevity and durability. This way you also avoid too many harmful chemicals in the workplace and ensure a pleasant working environment. At the same time, you save money because you don't have to invest in new office furniture from time to time when you choose durable solutions.
When it comes to office furniture, there's really not much difference between commercial and home office furniture. If it's for business, there are of course a number of office fit-out requirements you need to be aware of as an office fit-out manager. However, if you're decorating your office at home, you should still consider the same requirements - it's important that you sit properly, can change working positions and have proper daylight in the office. If you're decorating your office at home, you may want to read ourblog post on home workspaces.
Designing an open plan office can be a daunting task and there are many considerations to take into account. Have you been appointed as the person responsible for the design of your open plan office? Here are some tips and advice on what to consider:
Indoor climate and work environment
There must be a good indoor climate in the open plan office. Of course, it's all about ventilation - but there are also other things you can implement to create a pleasant indoor climate. For example, plants or sustainable materials that don't contain harmful chemicals. In addition, it's important that the office is optimally designed for daylight so that all employees either have a view of windows or sit in a place where daylight can reach them properly.
Minimize noise in the office
When designing an open plan office, it's really important to think about how you can minimize noise in the office. An open-plan office will obviously generate a lot of noise because there will often be many employees working together. A good way to reduce noise is by installing screens, noise-absorbing partitions or noise reduction in the ceiling. There are many different solutions that can be attractive and decorative at the same time.
Create a space for knowledge sharing
One of the benefits of an open plan office is that it allows for knowledge sharing between employees. Knowledge sharing is a very positive thing in itself, but it can also be disruptive to others who are working. Therefore, if you're designing an open plan office, it's a good idea to create a space in the room where employees can go and talk to each other. This could, for example, be a room with sound-absorbing partitions and a kind of lounge area so that employees can sit comfortably while sparring and sharing knowledge - without disturbing their colleagues.