The Origin of offices

Dedicated buildings for offices started to be constructed in the 18th century. The concept of the office building began with the Old Admiralty Office in England since the British empire started expanding and engaging in an increasing level of trade, to manage loads of paperwork in one place. Soon after, more new office buildings began to be built with an increasing amount of documentation to be managed and an extensive workforce to be brought under one roof. 

Office design began with the purpose of providing spaces which help the people working with their heads have no disturbance; while for more mechanical work, more people can be in a single room to allow supervision – allowing people have more productivity.

The Invention of the Cubicles

The Designer of the cubicles intended them to be private spaces where employees can comfortably work and personalise the spaces. But the Cubicles went through an evolution, unintended by the creator, where managers meant to cram as many workers as possible in the given space. This was supposedly due to the many mergers and buyouts caused due to the recession. Since these decisions were purely business oriented and did not come from people looking to create a healthy workplace, the quality of space degraded considerably. 

Since these decisions caused tiny spaces for individual workers, they caused significant discomfort. There wasn’t much space to move around and even feel comfortable. These spaces caused people to feel sick. Feeling sick and uncomfortable are the two things that promote unproductivity. 

The Open Floor Plan 

At the other end of the spectrum from the cubicles, the Open floor plan for offices is a modern concept with no barriers – and this makes the space feel enormous. This design was supposed to counter the cubicle design, but it has its challenges. While it is suitable for collaboration and has a lively appeal to the space, it causes a lot of disturbance because while everyone works together, their nature of work and pressure at any given time may vary. They could also have different tasks which could require higher focus. While the open floor plan does solve some of the problems caused by the cubicles, it is not devoid of its issues. 

There is no single strategy that will make a space immediately more productive. There are several principles and factors if considered and taken care of can help design a space which promotes high productivity.

How do you make your office more productive then? Let us start by analysing the basics of productivity first.

Basics of Productivity

Be Comfortable –

For you to be able to be productive, comfort is essential. It is important for the employee to not feel physically or mentally stressed. If you feel comfortable, it improves your productivity multifold. Visual comfort is also very important for comfort – and thus productivity.

Keep Distractions away-

One of the most important things for being productive is avoiding distractions. Spaces should always be designed considering that employees should not be distracted by the sound and visual elements. You should also avoid sitting in places which could get you distracted. There are many tools available to help you. You can use noise-cancellation earphones to block out noise. You can keep your phone on silent, and even in a drawer so that you’re not distracted by constant notifications.

Keep your Tools close – 

It is very easy to be distracted if you need to keep getting up from your place. Keep all of your necessary tools and equipment you’re going to need close to you, so when you’re in a focused state, you do not lose it because you have to move from your place to get something important. 

Take breaks! –

While all of the above factors are important while you work, the maximum a person can concentrate on any given task is 90 minutes before taking a 15-minute break. It is better to work according to what is optimum for us, otherwise, our productivity keeps taking a hit. It is also important to also move around and stay hydrated to avoid posture-related problems. There are easy stretching exercises you can do in offices to keep yourself fit.

Types of spaces and their effect on productivity

Smaller spaces with a lower ceiling and work desks aligned against the walls are very useful in improving cognitive abilities in tasks involving mathematics. Open spaces with higher ceilings can help you be more productive with creative tasks. The likeliness can be translated into concentration vs exploration. Lights also play a very important role. Lights with cooler temperatures can help us feel more focused, while lights with warm temperatures can make us feel more relaxed. Thus using cool lights in workspaces and using warm lights in recreational areas can help maximize productivity. 

Tools for enhanced productivity

Ergonomic Furniture –

Sitting in the right posture requires a lot of strength and a large number of people cannot maintain a good posture for a long time. Ergonomic chairs can help you maintain a neutral posture for a longer period and thus help avoid health issues in the long term. They also help you stay more comfortable and thus allowing you to be more productive. Sit-stand desks are also another tool that keeps you more active and keeps you healthier. Sitting for long periods has been attached to many health risks and it becomes essential to be more active. 

Nature –

The visual presence of nature has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on our emotions. The presence of trees within 100 feet can help you feel more calm and relaxed and thus help you focus on the task at hand. Small garden spaces as well as including potted plants inside your spaces can help improve mental well-being while also helping with improving the air quality of the spaces. 

These are a few strategies you can use to enhance your productivity or design an office that helps people be more productive. The most influential factor for being productive is taking care of your physical and mental health.