How should office design be?

HOW SHOULD OFFICE DESIGN BE?

If you are planning to design an office, our advice at Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture is to first ask yourself some questions. For instance, how many people will be using the office and for what purposes? By asking such questions, you can design a healthier office space. Another important detail is considering the potential increase in the number of employees in the future while designing the office.

When designing an office, the spatial organization type of the office is one of the factors that affect the design. There are three types of office arrangements: closed, open, and hybrid.

Historically, the oldest type is the closed office. The layout is generally created with partitions that are either fixed or can be adjusted later, based on the workflow and departments of the employees.

In open offices, the space is arranged around main circulation paths, where movable furniture can be placed to create working areas.

Offices that combine open and closed office systems are called hybrid office spaces.

Hybrid offices have also addressed the shortcomings of both the closed and open office layouts. For example, the limited communication in closed offices and the lack of personal space in open offices are examples of such shortcomings.

At Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture, we suggest that factors like lighting, furniture, sound insulation, climate control, partition usage, and color should be considered carefully, as these all influence employees.

WHAT KIND OF LIGHTING IS SUITABLE FOR OFFICE DESIGN?

The right and healthy office lighting is always important for the health of employees' eyes, productivity, and motivation.

If proper lighting is not chosen, issues such as glare, reflections, and eye strain can arise. These problems can negatively impact the work process both temporally and in terms of productivity. Therefore, our opinion at Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture is to create a comfortable working environment by using appropriate and correct lighting designs for the space.

Lighting needs can vary depending on the tasks performed in the office. There are two types of lighting: natural and artificial. Natural lighting, provided by daylight, can be taken from one side, two sides, or from above. If natural light is insufficient, we can use artificial lighting. For artificial lighting, fluorescent lights or LEDs providing white light are commonly used. We at Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture try to maximize natural light usage and complement it with artificial lighting in areas where natural light is insufficient. Our recommendation to you is to maximize the use of natural light and support it with artificial lighting.

When designing lighting, the office's layout—whether closed, open, or hybrid—should be considered. Additionally, efficiency, comfort, and energy savings are important when designing office lighting. You can achieve both wide-area lighting and energy savings by using wide-angle LED panel fixtures.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING THE RIGHT FURNITURE

We at Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture believe that choosing the right furniture is one of the key points to improve employee performance. To create a healthy working environment and increase productivity, you must choose furniture correctly. Every employee will need furniture such as a desk, chair, cabinet, and bookshelf in the office. Depending on the office’s concept and capacity, you can choose classic, modern, or custom-designed furniture. For example, you can create stylish cabinet designs by using materials such as lacquer, acrylic, or high-gloss finishes. We believe there are some important considerations when choosing furniture, such as ergonomics. In common areas, movable and adjustable furniture can be used, while in meeting and executive rooms, fixed furniture may be preferred based on usage.

Durability is also an important factor in furniture selection. Therefore, in office furniture selection, materials like glass that can break should be avoided. Instead, steel, solid wood, and other durable materials should be chosen, in accordance with the concept. Moreover, furniture should be effective both functionally and in terms of design, while reflecting the company's brand and style.

We at Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture think that choosing the right desk and chair is very important for improving employee productivity. Desks, where employees spend most of their time, should be comfortable and suitable for the work they do. The width of the desk should be adjustable according to the tasks, and the ideal height should be 75 cm. The desk should also allow your feet to rest flat on the floor. In terms of design, the number of drawers should be planned according to the needs of the tasks, as drawers help keep the desk organized in occupations that require the use of many items.

If you're designing a large and open office, we recommend including operational desks that allow several people to work together, as they can add innovation to the office and save space.

When selecting chairs, the height should be adjustable according to the user's body size. The backrest and seat should also be of ideal dimensions, and the material should be flexible and breathable. The chair’s back angle should be adjustable to suit the user’s posture. Chairs should be rotatable whenever possible. In short, a comfortable and healthy office chair should support your body and help you maintain a proper posture throughout the working hours.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEMS IN AN OFFICE?

Climate control refers to the adjustment of temperature, cleanliness, humidity, and air movement in an enclosed space according to human health and comfort. In large offices that require good ventilation, this system is a must. Clean air intake is very important for ensuring employees can work more comfortably and stay focused. While installing climate control systems, factors such as the size of the space, the number of people, and the number of electronic devices in the office should be considered. For employees to work efficiently, comfortably, and healthily, heating, cooling, and ventilation systems are essential.

WHAT KIND OF FLOORING IS SUITABLE FOR OFFICE DESIGN?

At Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture, we believe the choice of flooring can greatly impact the atmosphere of a space, either positively or negatively. Therefore, flooring selection is an important aspect to consider. Both employee motivation and health should be considered when choosing flooring. Additionally, the chosen flooring should be durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic, chair and desk loads, and other stresses. Otherwise, the wear and tear will result in higher future costs. Among various options like PVC, carpet, epoxy, and parquet, the choice should depend on the office's usage area, number of people, design, acoustics, and hypoallergenic properties.

The most common and recommended flooring option is PVC, due to its low cost, long lifespan, and wide variety of options. It is hygienic, easy to clean, impact-resistant, sound-absorbing, water-resistant, and fireproof.

Carpet flooring, made from textile materials, is known for its acoustic properties and its ability to absorb impact and speech sounds, reducing echo. It also provides comfort underfoot, which helps improve employee comfort.

For those who want a long-lasting floor that is resistant to chemical solvents and physical impact, we recommend epoxy flooring. It is easy to clean, resistant to dirt, and comes in a wide range of colors.

THE USE OF SEPARATORS IN OFFICES

If you are designing a large and open office, we recommend using separator partitions. These partitions can make your design more beautiful and organized. Being shorter than other walls, they allow better airflow, help heat up the space more efficiently, and still allow communication with other employees while providing personal space. They can also eliminate the chaotic appearance often seen in open offices. Materials like wooden slats, baffles, plants, or glass walls can be used as separators.

THE EFFECTS OF PLANTS IN THE OFFICE

At Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture, we highly value the concept of "living offices," which can be brought to life by incorporating plants. Green plants can create a natural atmosphere, reduce stress, and provide energy and motivation for employees. Plants like the Yucca, Areca palm, Sword fern, Cactus, Aloe Vera, Peace lily, and Succulent are all great options for offices as they require little water and sunlight, while also boosting energy.

THE IMPACT OF COLORS ON EMPLOYEES

At Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture, we pay great attention to the use of color, as it significantly influences human psychology. The colors used in the office can help define boundaries, guide people, and also reflect the character and identity of your company. In addition to their physical and psychological effects, colors also affect employees' health, mood, and productivity. For example, warm colors tend to increase people's awareness of their surroundings, while cooler colors help them focus on the task at hand.

In spaces that require intense concentration, we recommend using cool colors. Lighter colors make objects appear closer and larger, while dark colors make objects and spaces appear smaller and more distant.

At Bahçeşehir Decoration and Architecture, we create functional office designs, taking all these factors and more into account. By considering your office's activity area, capacity, and potential growth, we create stylish, comfortable, and long-lasting office spaces that align with your concept.