TIPS FOR CREATING A GREAT FLOOR PLAN FOR YOUR COMMERCIAL SPACE
Effective planning for office or commercial space can help you get the most out of a new construction or renovation project. A well thought out floor plan can help you drive efficiency and productivity, and even help you support your future business needs.
Keep it Real
Office space planning shouldn't be driven mostly by a designer or an architect. It should reflect your day-to-day business.
Before planning your space, take a look at what you might actually need based on how you and your employees use the space every day.
Open Space Versus Closed Space
Consider how much open space you need versus closed or private spaces. While open space plans might be cheaper and efficient, you might have employees who require privacy or a quiet place to complete challenging tasks or to avoid interruption.
Once you lay out your potential floor plan, draw paths identifying how you will move through on a typical work day.
If you serve customers, or host clients, the space should be as convenient as possible for them to enter, conduct their business, and easily.
Things to consider when finalizing your commercial space:
Are the spaces you use the most readily accessible?
Are there any walls blocking ease of mobility?
Are there any missing paths that should connect one workspace to another
Are the meeting rooms and departments big enough to serve their purpose effectively?
Do you allow for adequate storage in the appropriate locations?
Keep in Mind that Lighting Matters
Lighting can impact productivity, health, mood, well-being, and depression. If you have an existing working office space, walk through it and note the spaces that don’t get enough light.
Figure out where natural light would be an option and where lighting fixtures will be essential.
Design for Adaptability and Growth
Ideally, your business will grow and your needs will change. Planning for that will ensure that your office space is flexible and can be easily divided as necessary.
Making private offices a little bit larger will enable you to turn them into offices for two or more people. Remember, it's generally cheaper to build extra capacity at the beginning than to do it later.
Include Technological Requirements
Consult with your IT department or head of engineering about how best to arrange the space so everyone has access to the power and technology they need.
Planning for the location of printers, storage for technology, wifi routers, and space for projectors and screens will save you a lot of headaches and impacts to productivity later.
Mandated Requirements
Are there any federal, state, or local regulations you should consider before planning your space? e.g. ventilation, fire, etc.
Once you have finalized your floor plan, you can bring it to fruition.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help you with your next new construction or renovation project.