There is a lot of thought and research that goes into planning a space.
First the current and future needs of a client's business must be considered.
The current space if pre-existing must me carefully measured.
A few questions we might ask:
How many employees do you have currently and how many do you plan to have in the next 10 years?
What kind of work environment do you prefer? Open work environment or private spaces? How many private spaces are needed?
What are the multiple roles in your office and who collaborates the most?
These questions are to help determine proximity, amount of space required, type of work environment, type of work stations required, etc.
How many conference areas, restrooms, break areas, privacy booths, etc. needed also must be determined to know how much space is required in total or how much space each area must be limited to to fit an existing building.
We also look at finish options that support the type of business that we are designing for. If it is a business that requires privacy for sensitive information or other reasons we may suggest sound dampening panels, carpet, certain types of sound proofing insulation, sound masking noises such as white noise, etc. High trafficked areas require flooring that is more durable and easier to clean. There are a lot of options that could be discussed in this case to find what best fits the company brand and need.
Consideration is taken for natural lighting and reflective colors and what a color might look like in a certain lighting situation. We also have to consider the direction the sun will be coming into a building and what type of windows or window screens may be required to reduce heat from the sun.
Multiple layouts are often given in order to determine the best fit for a client's business and we work closely with them to make any modifications that may be given post-review.
Ultimately, we must maintain the client's vision for their new facility. This means incorporating brand identity through means of color, style, and environment.
