What comes to mind when you think of good workplace design? Who doesn’t want to work in Google’s cool offices, right? Nowadays, talent no longer chooses you purely based on compensation and benefits, but also company culture and workplace design.
By now, companies have realised the importance of culture in the workplace. Indeed, successful workplace designs can reflect your brand proposition and workplace culture. Here are 7 office design solutions that will help you tell your brand story.
1. Colour palette
First and foremost, colours. Colours can help you identify a brand and differentiate it from its competitors at first glance. But you don’t only align with your brand colour. Choosing a colour palette and picking a colour scheme can as well help you set the tone and lift the mood.
If you don’t want your office to be plain and white, consider colours that reflect the company culture you want like Unicorn Stores. The use of pastel colours gives a subtle, gentle touch of Japan to the Japanese retailer’s Hong Kong office.
2. Logos and slogans
And of course, the use of logos and slogans that communicate your brand identity and reinforce your corporate values. Apart from logo display, the values and beliefs that your company celebrates can be painted on the walls.
In foodpanda’s office spaces, you’ll find Hong Kong’s signature neon signs – a sign that they care about the local culture and community. And the ‘beers, beers, beers’ signage says it all – they work hard, so they can play harder!
3. Other brand elements
Aside from the essentials, are there any other brand elements that can highlight the importance of culture in the workplace? Would you like to feature your products, services, awards or achievements?
It’s also worth giving building wings and meeting rooms names that relate to your brand, rather than calling it ‘Room 1’, ‘Room 2’ and ‘Room 3’. That’s another way of weaving your company culture into workplace design.
4. Layout
When candidates interview at your company, they will already have an idea of your workplace culture when you show them around. Surely, a traditional, old-school office tells a very different story than one with a sleek, modern design.
Companies that encourage employees to work smart are now embracing the benefits of open office and hot-desking. Fixed desks could be limiting, while dynamic workspaces make it easy to share ideas, foster collaboration and inspire creativity.
With activity-based workspace design, there’s different space for employees to collaborate on the spot, communicate behind closed doors, and work independently. foodpanda, for one, believes that its collaborative office is integral to its culture.
WeWork Hong Kong is a strong believer that office layout makes for a big part of company culture. In all of our workspaces across Hong Kong, including prominent locations like YF Life Tower in Wan Chai and 14 Taikoo Wan Road in Quarry Bay, our open offices have been sparking creativity and driving innovation, shaping the future ways of work.
5. Amenities
That said, you can’t create the right workspace without the right amenities. And amenities could be the easiest way to show the human side of your brand. Think rage rooms for employees to let it out, and quiet rooms for focusing.
In Pinterest offices, its core values around diversity and inclusion can be easily felt. When there are gender-neutral bathrooms, nursing mother’s rooms and wheelchair-accessible elevators, it’s no secret what the company stands for.
Korean creative agency Cheil makes its employees feel like home in the office by making room for fun. There is an office slide, a fireplace, and even cha chaan teng seatings, showing the company does care about its employees.
6. Technology
With the advancement of technology, you can leverage technology to engage employees and enable them to work efficiently. Tech integration with wearables, media streaming, wireless charging and the like will transform your business for growth.
And it’s not just about attracting talent and engaging staff. Clients also visit your office, so it’s one of the key touchpoints in the customer journey. Would the customer of today be impressed by a digital-forward or old-fashioned office?
7. Air, lighting and plants
Increasingly, we talk about the importance of fresh air, natural light and leafy plants to employee’s health and wellbeing. With high-performing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, you can not only control the indoor air quality, but also prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the workplace.
If your company is serious about wellness, natural lighting should be an important consideration in your workplace design. If there’s no natural light, turn to blue-enriched, flicker-free LED lighting for optimal work performance.
Then there’s biophilic design. Adding a touch of green to your office is a core part of sustainable office interior design. Plants add good vibes to the office and can be an instant mood booster to your employees.
Ready to transform your workspace and foster a thriving company culture? Explore the possibilities at WeWork Hong Kong offices today and take the first step toward a brighter future for your business.