by Sharon Jones
Companies know and understand the importance of a functioning office. They need a space that allows them to do the work of the day, meet customers’ needs and house their staff. It’s critical to get things like the layout (and coffee machine placement) just right.
But firms don’t usually pay a huge amount of attention to the building itself. Each office unit is pretty much interchangeable with another: it’s the location that matters, they tell themselves.
Unfortunately, however, this isn’t true. While the contents of offices are critical, so too is the structure and nature of the building itself.
Height
Have you ever wondered why the most exclusive downtown addresses also play host to the tallest buildings? It’s not by chance. It has to do with the fact that tall buildings have many desirable properties, even if they are more expensive to construct.
For one, height makes it easier to rise out of the urban jungle and provide workers with unimpeded natural light. Daylight is critical for their wellbeing, productivity and general happiness.
Height is also critical for entertaining clients. If your office has fabulous views over the rest of the city, you may be more likely to sell your products.
Height also helps to set the tone for the company. If you’re physically above everyone else, you start to believe it too. Companies, such as Titan Machine Corp, who provide parts for elevators, understand the benefits that height can bring. It changes the psychology of your firm.
Mixed Use
The best office spaces are also mixed-use buildings. This means that people use them for both work and other commercial purposes. So, for instance, you might occupy several floors of an office tower, with a hotel on the top floor, a gym in the basement, and several places to eat at ground level. These options make it easier for workers to organize their lives and get a quick bite to eat at lunchtime.
Great Engineering
Great engineering is also a necessity for creating a quality office space. Executives need to keep an eye on a variety of variables including:
Noise levels (a lower risk when you are higher up)
Pollution and air quality (something which, again, improves with height)
Water quality
Dust and pests
Thermal properties of the building
The quality of ventilation and the air conditioning system
Getting all of these elements right can help to improve how people feel when they occupy your building. It can also reduce instances of “sick building syndrome” where people feel unwell because of the atmosphere of a building.
Facility Controls
Lastly, it’s a good idea to choose a building with exceptional facilities control. This allows you to manage the movement of people and control all the utilities accurately. In many cases, you’ll have a facilities management company doing all of this for you. But in some cases, you’ll need to operate systems yourself. Ideally, they should be comprehensive, robust, and amenable to change.
So, there you have it: some of the factors that make a good building. Is your office up to the task?