4-26-19

Real Estate Journal — Owners, Developers & Managers — Architects & Engineers — April 26 - May 9, 2019 — 11B

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M id A tlantic

Architects & Engineers

Impress clients, inspire employees and create all-around functionality Good interior design is the best way to create a great corporate office environment E

veryone prefers to arrive at work with energy and motivation, but some- t i m e s t h e thought o f spending the ent i r e day trapped in an un-inspiring building or cramped cu- bicle injects d r ead i n t o the daily commute and poison into the corporate culture. In an age when attracting and retaining top talent is at an all-time premium, excel- lence in office design should also be held in high priority. A recent Forbes survey found that 73% of respondents said that their work area and office facilities directly influenced their job satisfaction. While hiring experienced employees with great attitudes remains fundamental for building a suc- cessful company, many manag- ers cite the need to facilitate and motivate the workforce by having systems in place to enable the employees’ success. This includes intentionally designing offices to facilitate workflow, collaboration, pro- ductivity, and ultimately em- ployee happiness. Despite the acknowledged value for office design, many companies fail to adequately evaluate, and periodically re-evaluate, their companies changing product mix, workflow, and workforce preferences. Below is a list of considerations to maximize your workplace to achieve the three goals of a great office: impress clients, inspire em- ployees and create all-around Les M. McCoy for the developer. Sometimes all a site may need is the introduction of new uses around the perimeter or the replacement of one or more failed anchors with these uses. If created properly, zones of varying uses can create a new vitality by introducing captive patrons in the form of full time apartment dwellers or office goers and professional service providers and their clients, along with new dining options for these users. The addition of high density multi-family resi- dential is often a key component to the re-invigoration of a site. Drew Romanic is an as- sociate principal with The Martin Architectural Group, P.C.  continued from page 10B RE-Visioning . . .

functionality. • Space Planning. It is crucial to take a look at the entranceway, common areas (restrooms, kitchen, break rooms, etc.), and meeting space to determine their optimum use. Consider what works, what does not, and review management’s wish list. How can the layouts be planned for greater efficiency and increased employee production. For em- ployee workspace, evaluate the roles of the employees and de- termine how much space they actually need thru targeted evaluations and survey. Con- sider things like electric and

IT infrastructure, furniture, storage and workspace. With proper planning, the layout and location of departments and work groups can be very beneficial to both the employees and management when done correctly. • Interior Architecture. Analyze the industry, com- pany’s culture, brand and how clients and customers should feel when they walk in. With this in mind design to impress and you can achieve that with fabrics, furniture, colors, tex- tures, and other accessories that complement the overall space plan.

If a client does not have a clear vision for their office layout and interior architecture then the designer will be ready with meaningful recommendations. The creation or remodeling of an office space relies heavily on client input. It’s the designer’s job to navigate them through the process and bring their wishes to reality. Les M. McCoy, IIDA is president of DesignPoint, a full-service interior de- sign firm that has helped many offices perform to their maximum potential for client engagement and employee productivity. 

• Culture. In today’s world keeping employees happy and productive is imperative. Ex- amine the company’s brand, work philosophy, strategic goals, communications, employ- ee interactions, and manage- ment styles. The interior design should support and facilitate these qualities to make their jobs easier (greater efficiency) and at a minimum more fun. Company branding is always at the forefront of our designs. • Client participation. A good interior designer is a great listener and asks many ques- tions about all facets of the cli- ent’s business and work habits.

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