What a Modern Employee Workplace Should Be
Modern building technologies make it possible to organise comfortable workplaces and give an office an attractive look without significant costs. When planning a renovation, it’s worth considering modern finishing technologies, current trends and material costs. Every owner wants to save, but don’t forget: a modern workplace and the office as a whole are a business card by which clients form their first impression of a company.
In this guide we look at what an employee workplace should be: what parameters it needs, how to zone the space, how to finish the walls, floor and ceiling, and why it’s important to plan the microclimate in advance.
What a modern workplace needs
For staff to be comfortable, not only a flawless look matters but conditions that meet several parameters:
- a comfortable temperature;
- good lighting and ventilation;
- convenient placement of furniture and technical equipment;
- the possibility of receiving visitors.
Together these factors shape the comfort that productivity depends on. More on workplace ergonomics is in the article Workplace Ergonomics: The Simple Truth.
Zoning and planning solutions
The organisation of space depends on the field of activity, office traffic, the specifics of the work and the management system. By these criteria, premises are divided into closed or open zones: the open format uses low dividers.
The initial stage is a design project: an experienced designer rationally distributes the areas and optimises costs. Various technologies are used to create a modern space:
- mounting plasterboard partitions;
- installing sandwich blocks;
- constructions of double-glazed units, including tinted glass;
- full-glass partitions with a darkening system.
On choosing the types of partitions, read the article Office Partitions: Why They’re Worth Using.
Finishing: walls, floor, ceiling
The finish determines both the look and the practicality of a workplace:
- Walls. The best option is decorative plaster: it makes the walls not only coloured but textured. A simpler and cheaper solution is painting, but with lower decorativeness.
- Floor. A strong, practical material is needed: the ideal is PVC; porcelain stoneware and ceramics look striking, clean easily and are durable, but more expensive; linoleum is cheaper but less durable. Choose a covering with a high strength index.
- Ceiling. Stretch or suspended structures are used; stretch is more expensive but offers more design options. Rack and assembly ceilings look interesting, and built-in lighting is chosen by mounting type and lighting parameters.
More on materials is in the article Materials for a Modern Office Renovation: Review.
Microclimate and communications
Important elements of the work zone are the microclimate and the convenience of communications. We recommend designing the engineering systems as early as the design-project stage. For example, to avoid spoiling the finish with air ducts, the placement of the split system should be thought through at the renovation planning stage. This approach lets you neatly “hide” the equipment and keep the interior coherent.
A modern workplace with Partner Create
An office renovation is best entrusted to professionals: they know the modern requirements for a flexible workspace and have experience organising an ergonomic office. You won’t have to search for technologies and materials yourself, which significantly saves time and money.
Partner Create will design and deliver modern workplaces turnkey under general contracting. Examples are in the office spaces portfolio.
A modern workplace in brief
- A modern workplace needs a comfortable temperature, good light and ventilation, convenient furniture and equipment.
- Zoning (closed or open) depends on the field, traffic and specifics of the work.
- Technologies: plasterboard partitions, sandwich blocks, glazed units, full-glass with darkening.
- Walls — decorative plaster or painting; floor — PVC, porcelain stoneware or linoleum.
- Ceiling — stretch, suspended or rack with well-planned built-in lighting.
- The microclimate and communications are designed in advance so as not to spoil the finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
It needs a comfortable temperature, good lighting and ventilation, convenient placement of furniture and technical equipment, and the possibility of receiving visitors. Together these parameters ensure comfort and affect productivity.
The organisation of space depends on the field of activity, office traffic, the specifics of the work and the management system. By these criteria, premises are divided into closed or open zones, and the open format uses low dividers.
A strong, practical material is needed: the ideal is PVC, while porcelain stoneware and ceramics are striking, durable and easy to clean, though more expensive. Linoleum is cheaper but less durable, so choose a covering with a high strength index.
Engineering systems are worth designing at the design-project stage. For example, the split system’s placement is planned in advance so the air ducts don’t spoil the finish and there’s no need to redo a completed renovation.
Create a modern workplace with Partner Create
A modern workplace means comfort, health and productivity for the team. Partner Create will combine layout, finishing, furniture and engineering into a single concept and deliver the office with responsibility for the result.
Explore our work in the portfolio, read useful materials on the blog, or get in touch to discuss your project. Call +38 050 388 24 49.
We also recommend Workplace Ergonomics: The Simple Truth and Requirements for a Convenient Workplace — they will complement the topic of a comfortable workplace.