Distributed Work Environments

Good morning! 
Today's post is from a Knoll Workplace Research handout I recently received on the metrics of distributed work places. 

Distributed work places are those that use collaboration and efficiency.  Distributed work environments are characterized on the below:

1. Smaller, higher density individual spaces
2. A wider variety of group settings
3. Increased allocation of seats for collaborative spaces
4. Reduced emphasis on large conference rooms

There are many benefits of distributed work environments and I'm excited to share with you some of the recent research Knoll putt together. 

The model below shows the average square footage per person 10 years ago, which was 227SF, compare to today's average average person at135SF. 

Some of the other research found in the packet included:

1. Small meeting spaces have higher utilization rates
2. Distributed work strategies more than double the employee-to-desk ratio
3. Distributed work environments offer more vairety in meeting types (patios, cafe's, game rooms, etc).

To learn more about this topic go to http://rarespaceblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Rare-Space-Group-Report.pdf.

Have a great day!

Corporate Cafeteria's

Good morning and happy Monday!  I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!

Today's post is discussing the importance of cafeterias and cafe's in the workplace.  Because some people are in their offices 24/7, companies have started implementing a large break room or cafeteria in their space in order to have in-house dining.

What are the top 5 benefits of cafeterias/cafe's in an office space?
1.  Big break rooms allow for healthy communication, employee bonding and collaboration.
2.  Upgrading break rooms so they can serve as "touchdown" space for associates to work, talk, and relax at any time of the day.
3.  Employee retention increases because people feel more included.
4.  Large cafeterias can serve as a meeting space for in-house events.
5.  Employees save time at lunch when they don't have to go out of the office to eat.

Here are some examples of corporate cafeteria's:

Bell Helicopter Employee Center

Merriman Associates/Architects, Inc.

Genband

Merriman Associates/Architects, Inc.

Corporate cafeterias serve more than just a place to wine and dine - it's a place for employees to get to know one another and connect.

Have a great day!

Color Crazy

Happy Friday everyone!

Today's Trend is COLOR!

Whether it's your company's brand or you want to add some spice to a space, choosing a color is energizing!  You can add a burst of color in many different ways - furniture, finishes, materials, walls, the list goes on. 

Studies recognize that colors bring about emotional reactions to individuals.  According to the Global Healing Center (http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/benefits-of/healthy-office-environment), colors that are useful in the office are: orange – stimulates creativity; yellow – intensifies the intellect and heightens motivation; red – energizes; blue – calming, fights physical and mental tension; green – fights irritability and has a healing effect on the body. For the office, use colors that you are drawn to as these are the colors that will benefit your health.

Adding a WOW color factor can be a simple accent piece or loud and bright.  Here are some examples of how to incorporate color into an office space.

Trendy flooring by Modularity Tiles 

 Orange Tiles and Chairs

Bell Helicopter Employee Center (Merriman Architect Design)

Red Walls 

 Swedish Pension Agency

Color Wall

Google's Office

Red Chair and Reception Desk

I hope these examples give you inspiration to get creative!

Have a great weekend!

Chevron

Hello and good afternoon!  Today's trend is Chevron.  It's my absolute favorite pattern.  It works great in the home or office, which makes it a versatile print anyone would enjoy.  It can be seen on chairs, carpet, walls, pillows, art, - and even on pottery.  Chevron can be classy and conservative or bright and funky.  Here are some ideas of how you can incorporate Chevron into your interiors.

Paul Schneider Ceramics

 

Chairs from Room Service, LA

Home Office

 

Belle Maison

Wall Art from Green Your Decor

 

Remember, your office and home design is up to you - have fun with it!

Healthy is Hip

Good morning!  Do you walk or bike to work, take short walks during the day to clear your head or play on your companies kickball team?  If so, you are a great example of Corporate Wellness.

Environments that support well-being can be a highly desirable oasis where people are less stressed, more productive, more create and healthier.  They're the workplaces of the future, not the past.  Merriman is currently helping some of our clients reach their goals by incorporating a healthy lifestyle into their office culture. 

Here are some tips for incorporating wellness into your day at the office:

Coordinate a informal sport leagues for softball, baseball, kickball and soccer

(here are some of my friends from KPMG)

Choose to eat snacks from a healthy vending machine

Take a break during the day for a short walk

According to National Business Group on Health, if you have a corporate wellness program in your office, there is a 41% increase in your employees health, 56% increase in employee morale and 8% increase in employee productivity.

Have a great day!

Law Firm Trends

Good Morning!  Today's Law Firms are engaging in key design ideas to keep their spaces efficient and comfortable.  They also want to reduce costs, create a more collaborative work environment and increase productivity.  Here are some fascinating trends for Law firms:

Have a great day! 

Whiteboard Wonders

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

I was on a tour last week for a client - they were an extremely innovative and creative group.  We were brainstorming ideas for their conference rooms, which is why today's post is about a clear paint that you can paint over any color wall and it will be a dry erase board. 

ClearErase is a product from TRI-KES:

ClearErase is a dry erase clear coat that can be seamlessly applied to interior spaces as easily as traditional paint. Turn any existing wall, in any color, into a durable and cleanable surface resistant to scribbles, common marks and daily wear.

Waterbased and low VOC – ClearErase is an environmentally smart solution perfect for any commercial interior needing a seamless dry erase workspace. Our easy-to-follow instructions make application a snap. Simply mix, stir and roll like traditional paint.
 

There are lots of dry erase board trends in the marketplace right now, but here are a few ways to incorporate the dry-erase board into your conference room:

KeyBank Marker Boards using Dreamwalls Color Glass True White

Genband Corporate Headquarters - Merriman Architects design

ClearErase by TRI-KES

Have a great day!