• Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • RSS
  • Sign In
  • My Account
High-Profile MonthlyNew England Facilities Development News
  • All News
      • Up Front
      • Groundbreaking
      • Topping Off
      • Ribbon Cutting
      • View All Up Front Stories
      • PXL_20230309_153128404Ground Broken on $40M Production Facility in Connecticut
      • Special Features
      • Contributor
      • Green
      • J.E.D.I.
      • Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing (MEP)
      • Vision
      • Women In Construction
      • Regions
      • Connecticut
      • Northern New England
      • Popular Sectors
      • Cannabis
      • Corporate
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Interiors
      • Landscape/Civil
      • Life Science
      • Multi Residential
      • Restoration/Renovation
      • Retail/Hospitality
      • Senior/Assisted Living
      • Technology & Innovation
      • Other News
      • Awards
      • Community
      • COVID-19
      • Mixed-use
      • Municipal
      • National/International
      • Organizations and Events
      • People
      • Philanthropy
      • Products and Services
      • Real Estate
      • Training and Recruitment
  • Subscribe
  • Membership
  • Next Issue
  • Archive
  • Advertise
  • Podcast
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • A/E/C Associations
High-Profile Monthly
  • All News
      • Up Front
      • Groundbreaking
      • Topping Off
      • Ribbon Cutting
      • View All Up Front Stories
      • PXL_20230309_153128404Ground Broken on $40M Production Facility in Connecticut
      • Special Features
      • Contributor
      • Green
      • J.E.D.I.
      • Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing (MEP)
      • Vision
      • Women In Construction
      • Regions
      • Connecticut
      • Northern New England
      • Popular Sectors
      • Cannabis
      • Corporate
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Interiors
      • Landscape/Civil
      • Life Science
      • Multi Residential
      • Restoration/Renovation
      • Retail/Hospitality
      • Senior/Assisted Living
      • Technology & Innovation
      • Other News
      • Awards
      • Community
      • COVID-19
      • Mixed-use
      • Municipal
      • National/International
      • Organizations and Events
      • People
      • Philanthropy
      • Products and Services
      • Real Estate
      • Training and Recruitment
  • Subscribe
  • Membership
  • Next Issue
  • Archive
  • Advertise
  • Podcast
  • Events
    • Industry Events
    • A/E/C Associations
Contributor • Interiors

A Holistic Approach to Office Design

September 23, 2021

by Whitney Mugford

The fact is, on average, Americans spend a third of their lives working. With this statistic in mind, and with a substantial percentage of U.S.-based personnel returning to the workplace after toiling from home for the past 18 months, employers have come to an important conclusion: Designing offices is about much more than creating attractive spaces.

At JM Electrical, we reimagined our offices in 2018. With the needs of our staff in mind, we installed a gym complete with weights and cardio equipment, installed showers and locker rooms, and renovated our shared kitchen which is always fully stocked with nutritious snacks, unlimited soft drinks and top-quality coffee.  Our new headquarters are lighter and brighter and feature comfortable meeting spaces that encourage teamwork.

Many other companies across the country have taken a closer look at their surroundings, with safety, comfort, and bringing the outdoors in among their top priorities. Some have added living walls filled with lush greenery and strategically placed planters to create a calm, quiet environment, and improve air quality. Others have expanded their footprint by creating rooftop lounges or converting shipping containers into colorful conference rooms.

There’s also a renewed focus on food, with employers allocating space for dining in, and high-end coffee bars that eliminate visits to the local barista. And to keep team members enthusiastic and engaged, organizations have carved out places where colleagues can take a break, relax, and socialize together.

There is a method to the madness. A 2018 study from Gartner Research reported that employees who are satisfied with their work environments are 16% more productive, 18% more likely to stay, and 30% more attracted to their company over competitors.

Reebok’s headquarters in Boston’s Seaport District was designed to encourage greater comradery and interaction between colleagues. One hundred meeting rooms and spaces outfitted with conference tables and couches inspire collaboration and frequent communication. To encourage staff to make time for health and wellness, an in-house gym is complete with spin, yoga and dance studios, a boxing ring, and a CrossFit box.

In nearby Cambridge, Google’s multi-building office complex was designed to reflect local landmarks. The concept for the 300,000sf campus is based on the iconic MBTA transportation system, with spaces and the color palette inspired by the local geography and culture associated with each of its stops. Google staff members were involved in the planning process for this LEED certified facility which was constructed with “green” products and materials. Further, in keeping with Google’s overarching commitment to sustainable practices, infrastructure improvements helped significantly reduce the campus’ use of water and electricity.

Over the course of the pandemic, many of us have spent time working at the kitchen table or tucked away in a guest room. Those preparing to return to the office full time or under a hybrid model are looking for natural light, state-of-the-art technology, comfortable furnishings made from sustainable materials, and spaces where they can briefly relax and unwind in between marathon meetings, presentations, and video conference calls. Equally important, American workers want to maintain a work/life balance and contribute to their companies in a clean, safe, healthy environment that serves as their home away from home.

Whitney Mugford

Whitney Mugford is the human resources manager at JM Electrical Company, Inc.

HPNews Oct'21 OfficeDesign
    FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmail

You may also like

Contributor • Life Science • MEP

Developing a Quality Base Building...

March 23, 2023
Contributor • MEP

Sprinkler Design Challenges for...

March 22, 2023
Contributor • Education

Data and Demographics: Driving the...

March 8, 2023
Contributor • Education

2023 Update from SCUP North...

March 8, 2023
Contributor • Education

A Message from SCUP President...

March 8, 2023
Contributor • Education

Linking Mission-infused Campus...

March 2, 2023
Contributor • Education

Designing Equitable Experiences...

February 28, 2023
Contributor • Education

Academia Driving Deployment of...

February 28, 2023

View the March 2023 issue!

Read the WIC 2023 Supplement!

Read HP’s 25th Anniversary Issue now!

Check out the 2022 Annual Green Supplement!

Read HP’s 2022 MEP issue!

Read our annual supplements!

  • Green2022.png
  • WIC2023.png
  • MEP2022.png
  • Vision-2019.png

HIGH-PROFILE MONTHLY
615 School St.
Pembroke, MA  02359
Phone: 781 294 4530
Fax:  781 293 5821
info@high-profile.com

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • My Account

Stay Informed

Sign up for Fast Facts Friday, our weekly e-newsletter, and stay up-to-date with the latest industry news!

Sign up
Subscribe to High-Profile Monthly to receive an email notice of each new article!
Loading

Copyright © 2023 High-Profile Monthly.

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • RSS
  • Sign In
  • My Account