BRPH has designed some of the most innovative, modern and flexible corporate spaces in the industry for companies like JetBlue, Harris Corporation, Northrop Grumman, Embraer, Boeing and Thales.
Over the years, we’ve learned some significant lessons about how to create the best spaces for today’s workforce. As other companies plan to grow and refresh their spaces – or perhaps decide to create brand new ones – here are a few tips to consider, straight from the BRPH interior design team:
1. Build with flexibility in mind. Our corporate clients consistently ask for adaptable spaces that respond to changing business conditions. Whether a shift in population, an organizational restructure, or a cultural evolution, our clients desire agile spaces that can easily adjust to meet their evolving needs and desires
2. Always consider your people. There are many different ways that employees prefer to work and a continuous effort should be made to involve employees as you navigate the design process. This will increase the likelihood of buy-in by your full team because they will know that the environment was created to address their needs.
3. Consider employing Design Thinking concepts during the planning phase. A challenge we often face on corporate interior projects is making sure that our design is most appropriate and meaningful for the end user. Sometimes the people that will be using the space every day are under-represented as stakeholders during the design process. That is when our Design Through Discovery process, the BRPH adaptation of Design Thinking concepts, really adds value. Through a series of strategic yet open brainstorming sessions with employees early on, we are able to uncover the true needs of each client and design their workspaces accordingly.
4.Know that budget is merely one of several important considerations. Realizing the client’s vision of a modern, healthy, and flexible environment that also aligns within a tight budget can be a real challenge. However, early discussions about client teams allow us to prioritize design elements and make budget adjustments, as needed.
5. Know your organizational culture before you design. Today’s executive suite has changed. Clients are moving away from a separated mahogany executive row to a more integrated model. As a matter of fact, some of our most successful corporate clients have co-located their CEOs and executive leadership in with the rest of the employee population. In this model, leadership becomes more accessible and better team-based relationships are formed.
6. Incorporate wellness into your space. Having a human-centered design model ensures that your employees are comfortable and inspired by their surroundings. At BRPH, we incorporate ideals from the “Well Building Institute” that focus on promoting the health of users by ensuring optimal day lighting, air and water quality, nutrition, and fitness areas.
7. Don’t forget privacy needs. While open office, communal work cultures are gaining popularity, people still have need for a variety of work zone types. Open air models shouldn’t overlook the need for some private and small group collaboration spaces that mask sound.
8. Inexpensive changes can make a big impact. It is amazing what can be achieved with thoughtful color, and the least expensive way to freshen up any space is through paint. Additionally, in existing spaces that have high partitions, simply lowing cubicle walls can greatly change the dynamics of a space. And while a slightly more costly option, adding more natural light and improving artificial light quality can also significantly improve your work environment for a minimal budget. Finally, if budgets are tight, focus on improving one communal space, like a break room or an outside dining area.
9. Don’t forget the fun! The best clients are those that carefully consider how their new space will enhance their office culture. Some unique elements that have been added to enhance corporate cultures recently have included video game rooms, yoga/spin spaces, movie theaters, recording studios, “tinker” rooms, nap rooms, innovation hubs and community gardens
10. Provide flexible desk environments. Consider where you will incorporate access to modern workplace technologies throughout your new or refreshed office space – specifically, don’t forget proximity to WIFI, virtual desktops, VR technology, adjustable desktops, ergonomic seating, temperature and lighting controls.
Overall, we are pleased to see that companies are aligning more with the satisfaction and health of their employees when designing new workspaces.
For more information about BRPH and our corporate interior design capabilities, contact Rob Byers, BRPH Director of Interior Design, at 843-743-0243 or via email at rbyers@www.brph.com.
If you’re in search of a local contact, submit a contact form to addressed to one of the following team members:
Roger Anderson/Nerissa Ramsey – Florida/Atlanta
Rob Byers – South Carolina/Atlanta
Jim Hillier/Katie Doucet – Seattle/Los Angeles
Scott Dreas – Atlanta
Rob’s 20 years of experience includes a wide variety of architecture and interior design projects. As a design leader, he meets demanding deadlines while coordinating every project detail and maintaining the original design intent. Rob has excellent knowledge of materials and construction techniques and develops excellent relationships with clients through his ability to listen to their needs.
