Workplace interior design is proven to impact productivity and morale based on many factors. When reimagining your next commercial office project, keep these different aspects of interior design in mind. Some office spaces might need more flexibility to make major changes, but smaller scale updates still make a big impact. Not only is this impacting your current employees’ productivity, but it will also draw in future employees. There are plenty of ways to highlight and encourage productivity without compromising aesthetics and functionality.  

How Interior Design Affects Productivity

Psychological Impact of Design:

When selecting features and finishings for commercial office spaces, the psychological impact is a contributing factor. Different textures can absorb or reflect light differently, influencing moods and energy levels. For example, if you’ve got smooth surfaces that reflect light this will make the space feel bright. On the other hand, a matte texture that absorbs light will create a more intimate feel. While neither is wrong, it is important to consider these different factors. When working on the Lakeshore Bone and Joint Institute project, the Tonn and Blank team made sure to select surfaces and finishings that promoted good energy performance while still being inviting and welcoming to patients and providers. 

Ergonomics and Functionality:

Well-designed furniture and layouts can prevent fatigue while enhancing efficiency. Most commercial offices need space for collaboration with ergonomic seating and group meeting spaces while simultaneously accommodating individualized work. When thinking about the amount of sitting people do per day, you want to provide spaces with furniture that promotes good posture and healthy habits. Not only are people sitting at their desks for the majority of the day, they’re sitting as they commute to work, and while eating during a break. Providing plenty of space to both sit comfortably and move around will greatly impact overall productivity. 

Wellness and Employee Engagement:

Providing an office that makes employees feel inspired and comfortable directly contributes to their wellness and health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that stress accounts for 75% of doctor visits. Of course, this stress could be coming from a multitude of sources but providing an environment with good interior design supporting mental well-being would be instrumental. When you provide a space that is not only functional but engaging and comfortable, you’re promoting a healthy working environment.

Key Interior Design Factors That Influence Productivity

Lighting and Natural Light:

Incorporating natural lighting in commercial office spaces can greatly impact work ethic and productivity. Natural lighting can come from windows and skylights and if strategically placed, they can maximize daylight based on sun patterns. Natural lighting can reduce eye strain that artificial lighting can cause on the eyes. This also reduces the contrast from darker spaces to lighter spaces. Sunlight can stimulate serotonin which directly positively impacts our moods. Not to mention, the benefits of natural lighting when it comes to energy efficiency. A study done on the impact of natural lighting in offices showed that the employees working with windows experienced better sleep and were more active thus promoting a better work ethic.  

During the Computer Services Inc. project in Valparaiso, Indiana, the Tonn and Blank team worked to strategically incorporate alternative ways to allow natural lighting without compromising building security. Both the Tonn and Blank team and the Computer Services Inc. team knew the importance of balanced lighting with natural light to enhance overall performance.

Acoustics:

While noise levels for working could vary depending on the person, typically, an office space should have good acoustics allowing for minimal noise carrying throughout. When sound levels get too high, it is harder to concentrate and carry on conversations. Incorporating soundproofing throughout commercial office spaces can help with noises carrying throughout. You could also incorporate zoning which denotes specific areas for louder volume to take place like group meetings. If you’re working on an already existing office space, it can be costly and time-consuming to completely redo the structure to better soundproof. An alternative option would be acoustic panels strategically placed throughout to better diffuse loud noises, paint that better absorbs sound, and furniture like partitions and larger bookcases. 

Color Psychology:

Color psychology is the concept of how our moods and behaviors are impacted by color. In an office space, you want to promote productivity and encourage a positive environment so incorporating colors that reflect that is a great place to start.  Blues are going to promote calmness and reduce stress. People tend to associate green with nature and growth. These would both be good color choices for color choices in the main areas of a commercial office. If you’ve got employees or coworkers who work on the more creative side of your company, consider incorporating yellows and oranges into the areas where they’ll be doing their most creative work. Shades of yellow and orange are known to promote creativity, which would play well for the creatives on your team.

Flexible Workspaces:

When designing commercial office spaces, something to keep in mind is flexible workspaces. This also depends greatly on the business occupying the space. Maybe they need all of their employees to have private office spaces or maybe they need a few different communal spaces. If it is a business with hybrid workers, everyone needs a space to set up their equipment easily and then take it home if necessary. You’ll likely want to include intentional collaborative work spaces allowing employees to gather without disrupting those who are working individually. 

Biophilic Design:

Biophilic design incorporates nature-inspired elements to help reduce stress. Things like large windows to maximize natural light, natural vegetation from potted plants to heighten oxygen quality, and using different tones and textures like different wood with varying grains are all examples of biophilic design. Adding these different design features to your commercial office space can make people feel more motivated and creative while helping reduce stress levels. 

Designing for Collaboration and Focus

Zoning and Layout Strategies:

When designing the layout of the office space, consider how often employees will need space for deep, focused work. Creating zones that are specific to the department and designed to meet the unique needs of the business can help reduce excessive noise and promote a better working environment. 

Furniture Choices for Productivity:

When the time comes to select furniture for commercial office spaces, there are a few things to consider. Could the people working there benefit from high-adjustable desks? Would they prefer different seating options to better support longer timeframes sitting? The answer is likely yes. Giving the option to adjust the height of a desk directly relates to posture and spatial awareness when it comes to different equipment like computer screens and keyboards. When selecting furniture, you can also encourage pieces that might better absorb sound to help with acoustics while still being comfortable and promoting good posture.

How Construction Teams Contribute to Productive Office Design

Understanding Client Needs:

Understanding the client’s needs translates to meeting the goals aligned with design elements. Oftentimes, the building still needs to be functional while updates are going on so being aware of the client’s needs is instrumental to a successful project. For example, when the Tonn and Blank team was working on a project with Dean & Barbara Southlake YMCA, they still needed the building to function during construction. The YMCA team still needed to facilitate daycare services and recreation programming while updates were being made. The Tonn and Blank team worked directly with the YMCA to ensure all goals were aligned.

Efficient Project Delivery:

Keeping the budget and timeline in mind when incorporating these different design elements is essential. While you’ve hopefully planned and accommodated the potential extended timeline, sometimes, these additions can cause delays. Ensure a seamless interior build-out by partnering with a team capable of managing the entire project effectively and efficiently. 

Incorporating Technology and Innovation:

There are plenty of innovative ways to incorporate technology as you’re designing commercial office spaces. You’ll likely need to accommodate appropriate electrical needs for various types of equipment, plan for different types of equipment needing wall space and storage, or effective space in general for larger pieces of equipment. 

Tonn and Blank can utilize tools like Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) to create digital models of buildings. This allows the Tonn and Blank team to collaborate effectively with the goals of a project between architects, engineers, and builders. Not only does this help meet the overall goals of the project but it helps keep scheduling, budgets, and processes all aligned. 

Conclusion

The role interior design plays in employee productivity in commercial offices is obvious. Whether you’re making layout choices about where to put individual workspaces versus group workspaces or determining the best location for a window, these all are important considerations for the heightened work ethic of employees. For expert guidance on creating high-performance office spaces through strategic design, reach out to our team at Tonn and Blank.