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While it’s probably not the easiest thing to quantify with numbers, it’s doubtful that any employer would question that a workplace environment affects employees’ energy level. For example, a workplace with stained carpets or overflowing garbage will negatively affect employee morale.

Have you considered the arrangement of your offices and how you can improve it to increase your employees’ enthusiasm level? In an article from the Haworth® site (see link below), they cite a recent renovation conducted by one of their partners, and what everyone learned from the experience.

Specifically, they cited six ways to improve your employees’ energy level through office design.

First, get rid of those tall cubicle walls! When employees can see one another, it makes it easier to collaborate, ask questions, and share ideas. It also helps employees see that everyone in the group is focused on a unified goal. Removing the high walls also allows more light into the workspace, for a better feeling of overall well-being.

Second, create some spaces for employees to gather. You’ve likely heard the phrase “water cooler discussion”, where people gather at the water cooler to talk about current events or sports. Try making that water cooler area a space for employees to gather, foster relationships, and recharge.

But third, make sure employees can have privacy too. At some point, team members will need to think and find solutions, in a quiet environment. Ideally, there should be a location where workers can go to avoid distractions as much as possible.

Fourth, ensure that your office environment supports employee health. Maybe make water and healthy snacks available in some areas. Add adjustable desks so workers can stand if they need to. Can you make a walking space available? Being able to escape for a walk in a pleasant space can be a great boost for employee morale.

Fifth, emphasize your company’s brand! Let your employees know that their work matters. Use active patterns, warm colors, and reflect your culture throughout the workplace.

Finally, but most importantly, consult with your team. Ask them what they need…and listen to what they say. When people are in the trenches every day, they know what they need to be effective. They’ll point out problems, offer ideas, and help you design an office that supports the project life cycle. Most of all, your employees will feel like you’re committed to them…and people respond to that.

These are just a few ways that your company’s office design can make a difference in your workforce’s energy level. But it’s more of an individual taste for each company too, and it’s best to find out what can work for you.

If you’d like to find out more about what an innovative office design can do for your workplace, click here to request a free office evaluation from Bellia Office Design. We’ll be happy to meet with you, show you what is possible, and help you love the space you’re in!

Source: https://www.haworth.com/na/en/spark/articles/2019/6-design-tips-to-keep-employees-energized.html

There have been remarkable innovations in office design in recent years, especially as the pandemic created a need more hybrid-oriented positions. That said, there are still challenges to overcome. Most companies require a level of collaboration among employees, and they create specific spaces for doing so. In other cases, a certain amount of interaction is required, even if it’s through Zoom meetings or phone conversations. So, how does it all affect your employees’ ability to focus on everyday tasks at hand?

As more companies use available space for collaborative work, it can impact an employee’s ability to complete individual tasks.

No “One Size Fits All” Solution

A recent article on the Haworth® website (see link below) discussed the need for companies to respect the challenge of completing tasks efficiently. As the article states, different employees focus differently, and different work activities require a different level of focus. If an employee is familiar with a task, for example, that employee can much more easily complete that task even if there are outside distractions. Conversely, when an employee is learning a unfamiliar task, their level of focus is much more important, and should be free of interruption.

The article also points out that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Allowing employees to work remotely is a start, since an employee can choose to work at home or elsewhere and avoid background noise. But more importantly, what sort of things are pulling employees away from tasks? Are they frequently interrupted and asked to deal with different tasks? Do they frequently get inundated with non-related information while working? Are there simply constant interruptions?

There are multiple ways an office design and re-organization can help reduce distractions and improve employee focus. A company can create enclosed individual spaces where employees can settle in and complete tasks. An office redesign can also include improved noise reduction and acoustics. In addition, a company can add visual boundaries to control and reduce interruptions.

Ultimately, the best solution for a company looking to improve employee focus is to understand the company culture and identify points of distraction. From there, they can redesign their workstations and collaborative spaces accordingly.

Find Out More About How To Improve Employee Focus + Collaboration

Would you like to find out more about how to design spaces that improve employee focus and overall performance? Reach out to the professionals at Bellia today! We’ll be happy to show you how a new office design can create a more productive and positive environment for your employees. Click here for a free workspace evaluation, and let us help you love the space you’re in!

Source: https://www.haworth.com/na/en/spark/articles/2019/can-t-focus-at-work-.html

If you operate an office full of employees who are sitting most of the time, it’s probably crossed your mind why ergonomic office chairs are important. What you may not be aware of is that there is a real science to sitting over long periods of time and how it affects employee performance and morale. When someone’s body is supported properly for sustained periods of time, they feel physically healthier, and their job satisfaction improves.

Our partners at Haworth® have published a more detailed ergonomics guide for office employees, which you can download and review from the link below. Just briefly though, here is why ergonomic chairs are more important than you might think.

First, there is the consideration of long term health. Using an insufficient office chair over a long period of time…often many years…can lead to back and neck injuries, as well as affecting shoulders and even legs. If a chair is poorly designed or simply uncomfortable, that can lead to bad posture and slumping, which in turn puts stress on the spine and can cause health problems over time.

A comfortable and well-designed office chair can not only minimize injuries and long term effects, it can also improve productivity. Being uncomfortable in a chair is a distraction and often stressful. When an employer invests in comfortable chairs for their employees, they’re not only helping employees be comfortable and productive, they’re also helping to avoid future absences and health care costs from long term spinal and other deterioration.

Find Out More About The Importance of Ergonomic Office Chairs

In addition to the downloadable ergonomics guide you can find below, the professionals at Bellia are happy to meet with you and show you the difference that well-designed and comfortable office chairs can make for your business.

Let us tell you more about why ergonomic chairs are important to your employees! Reach out to us today, and ask us about the many options we have for furnishing and designing your office, for maximum comfort and productivity. We’ll help you love the space you’re in!

Source: https://www.haworth.com/na/en/knowledge/research/well-being/ergonomics.html?icid=homepage|subfeature2|ergonomics

As offices continue to retool and make the most of their space, and as companies continue to strive for inclusion, there is a growing number of companies that are finding new ways to attract and keep top talent in every demographic. This includes working mothers, especially new mothers, as companies are designing spaces in the office for mothers to nurse their young children.

As a recent article from Haworth® pointed out, the U.S. Department of Labor conducted a study that showed that 58% of women with children under the age of 1 are still a part of the workforce. While there is still a sizable amount of employees working remotely, sometimes it isn’t possible…say, if someone works with classified information in a closed area…and so companies are doing what they can to accommodate working mothers.

This new accommodation includes nursing rooms…private spaces where mothers can safely and privately retreat and care for their young baby. Spaces can be designed for convenience and comfort, including adding lockers for pumping equipment, waste disposal units, sinks, wipe-able fabrics and more. Rooms can be furnished with comfortable seating, adjustable lighting, and aesthetically pleasing artwork.

For a mother to balance a career and a new baby especially is profoundly challenging. Anything an employer can do to assist with that balance will be a useful edge in helping to keep their best professionals not only productive, but comfortable and stable too.

Interested in Helping New Moms In Your Office?

If you’d like to find out more about offering spaces for new mothers in your workplace, and how you can help your best employees achieve ideal work-life balance, reach out to the office design pros at Bellia! We’ll be happy to meet with you and discuss ideas, transformations, and redesigns of your office space, and how to make the best of it for all of your employees.

Click here to request a free workspace evaluation, and let us help you love the space you’re in!

Source: https://www.haworth.com/na/en/spark/articles/2019/how-to-create-spaces-that-empower-mothers-in-your-workplace.html

Are you employing elements of biophilic design in your workplace? Chances are that you are to some extent, even if you’re not familiar with the term. As more and more employees are returning to the workplace, companies are doing more to enhance their working environment. Biophilic design can play a large role in improving the office atmosphere.

First, let’s discuss what the term actually means. Stephen Kellert, a professor at Yale University, is quoted as saying “Biophilic design is an approach that seeks to fuse nature with architecture—not just inspiring natural design but specifically affecting how buildings and communities function.”

It’s probably a bit simplistic to suggest that this simply means adding plants to the office, although that is certainly an element of biophilic design. Ultimately, it involves truly bringing your employees closer to nature however possible. Each added aspect of biophilic design in the office helps reduce stress, and makes for a more comfortable and productive work environment.

Biophilic design includes multiple steps when it comes to remaking an office. Among them are using environmental features such as greenery and water, making the most of sunlight and your office’s space potential, using natural shapes and forms (i.e. using nature-inspired colors and images), and using spaces to improve human relationships.

Introducing a new level of biophilic design in the workplace also promotes sustainable behaviors, and reminds us of the ever-growing importance of nature in a digital age.

While all of this sounds like a modern concept, this idea has actually existed for many decades. The recent pandemic, however, with its effect on employees leaving and then returning to the workplace, helped to place a whole new emphasis on reducing stress in the workplace however possible. Biophilic design can create a whole new environment in your workplace…one that employees truly look forward to being in.

Are you interested in finding out more about this concept, and the difference it can make in your office? Reach out to the office design team at Bellia today, and ask us about how we can improve your office space, your working environment, and your bottom line. We’re happy to help you and your employees love the space you’re in!

Request Your FREE Workspace Evaluation Here!

Sources:
https://www.haworth.com/na/en/spark/articles/2020/biophilic-design.html
https://www.haworth.com/na/en/spark/articles/2022/q3/activating-biophilic-design-in-the-workplace.html

As technology enables us to host meetings where virtual attendance is almost always an option, we’re learning that virtual meetings aren’t always the most effective choice. As a result, companies have been starting to focus on creating hybrid collaborative spaces in the office.

The technology of Zoom meetings and virtual attendance makes it possible for people to collaborate with the team without leaving their home or office desk. But there are a number of problems with this that aren’t plainly obvious at first glance. For one, there’s potential technology troubles, such as equipment not working or employees forgetting to put on the mute button. But there’s also a deeper loss of connection without in person collaboration too.

As employees become increasingly remote and removed from physical attendance, the social network starts to break down. People have fewer “off the record” interactions and conversations, and as a result, share fewer ideas. With online meetings, there is a smaller social component, and there is a greater possibility of “groupthink” taking over the gathering.

So what can companies do to create hybrid spaces to encourage more interaction? As the article in the link below points out, they first should define a space and what it’s meant for, as in social connection or information sharing.

A company should design that space accordingly, with furniture and lighting that enables team members to interact effectively, both with people in the room and on video screens. Privacy is a concern too; companies should encourage interaction while respecting members’ privacy and avoiding distractions.

Ideally, as more and more employees seek to avoid commutes and spend their work time remotely, there needs to be a focus on encouraging their presence, or at least, to help remote employees feel as involved with the company vision as possible. Creating hybrid collaborative spaces in the office, when done properly, can encourage more effective interaction and social relationships, and ultimately help the team function better.

Interested in Improving Collaborative Spaces in Your Office?

If you’d like to find out more about what we can do to help make the most of your collaborative spaces, reach out to the Bellia office design team today! We’ve helped businesses of all kinds make the most of their office space with top quality furniture and design, and we can do the same for you. Let us help you love the space you’re in!

Source: https://www.haworth.com/na/en/spark/articles/2023/q1/4-considerations-for-creating-hybrid-collaborative-spaces.html

If you own or operate a healthcare facility, you know that there are probably other places your patients would rather be spending their day. If your office and waiting room environment is “too clinical”, it can affect your patients’ mood, and give them a less than stellar overall view of your facility.

There are a number of things you can do to improve the look and function of your offices, waiting rooms and examination rooms, and make your healthcare facility more welcoming to your patients, often without heavy expenses. Here are just a few:

5 Tips For A Warm and Welcoming Healthcare Facility

Make enhancements to the facility. Try painting the walls in a light blue or other sort of warm color. Add some plants for a touch of nature in your office, waiting rooms and exam rooms. Natural light always helps, so try to arrange your waiting areas to offer as much light from the windows as possible. Adding nature-inspired artwork on the walls can give a more homey feel too.

Create better organization. Efficiency is vital to running a welcoming healthcare facility. Of course you want your space to feel warm, but it should also include healthy organization so that anything can be found quickly and patients are waiting as little as possible. It also helps to include clear signage and directions, so that staff and patients can easily get around the building.

Improve the waiting area. No one wants to sit in a room and wait for their appointment, but you can make the waiting area as pleasant as possible. In addition to magazines and a television, add a coffee maker (or hot water machine for tea). Including charging stations is an excellent idea, since people naturally turn to their phones for entertainment while waiting. Be sure to make Wi-Fi access available throughout your building.

Improve the examination rooms. Make sure that your exam room furniture is comfortable and that there are privacy curtains and dividers in the examination area. As with the waiting area, you can arrange any furniture and beds for maximum efficiency and comfort.

Make your overall space encouraging. If you can, find a way to display patient testimonials or your company’s achievements. Having pictures of your employees along with their bios is a way to both assure your patients and boost your employee morale.

All of these things, in addition to an efficient arrangement of furniture, will lead to a more welcoming and warm environment for your patients and employees. It’s all part of a facility design that leads to better business.

Are you interested in redesigning your healthcare facility and creating a more welcoming environment for your patients and your employees? Reach out to the office design experts at Bellia today, and request a free workspace evaluation. We’ll be happy to share more ideas with you, and remake your facility to help you love the space you’re in!

A common concern in the workplace…excessive noise. People chatting (and sometimes shouting), loud equipment being used, phones ringing, and other aural distractions can affect productivity. If you are not sure which acoustic solution is right for you, below are some answers to when and where acoustic panels are necessary, and the problems they can solve.

Acoustic Office Noise Solutions You Can Implement Now

In the office improvement space, there are ways to create a more relaxing environment and reduce noise levels…aside from creating dedicated spaces for meetings, phone conversations, etc. Here are a few solutions:

Wall and Ceiling Acoustic Panels – Acoustic panels in walls and ceilings are made from sound-absorbing materials like fiberglass or foam, which works by turning sound waves into heat and dissipating the energy. Hard surfaces in a room reflect sound energy (think of the sound volume level in a room with or without carpeting), while acoustic wall and ceiling panels reduce it. The result is a more comfortable space where noise levels are kept down.

Acoustic panels can be designed to certain specifications, and an acoustical engineer can help to determine the acoustic needs of a room based on its size, shape and sources of sound.

Acoustical Lights – Acoustical lights are actually acoustic ceiling panels with lighting fixtures integrated within them. They are made of sound-absorbing materials, and they can be covered in a decorative fabric to match the office décor. 

The acoustical light panels absorb the sound waves in the room, rather than reflecting and echoing them. The result is a more comfortable and quieter office environment. In addition, combining lighting and acoustic panels into one product helps to keep office improvement costs down.

Sound Masking – Sound masking is the process of installing sound emitting devices strategically within an office space. These devices broadcast a low volume white noise that masks other sounds in the area. With sound masking, a company can fill an office with multiple types of white noise, such as waves, waterfalls, or even sound just like the heat/air are running, etc. for a more relaxing, private and peaceful office environment.

In addition to installing acoustic panels or sound masking equipment, offices can take other steps to help reduce the noise level in the space. Companies can create smaller spaces with reduced lighting to encourage low-volume activities, and they can take advantage of private offices that aren’t frequently used for smaller and quieter spaces as needed.

That’s just a small sampling of how acoustic panels can help be a solution to noise distractions in an office space and when and where their installation offers a solution. If your team is complaining about the increased noise level in the office these days, reach out to Bellia and ask us about noise reduction solutions! We are your dedicated office design team in Philadelphia and South Jersey, and we can help you love the space you’re in!

If you’re considering an office redesign for your business, you should be thinking about how your company’s brand is represented. When customers, visitors, employees and prospective customers and employees visit your office, what are they seeing? Are they seeing an office that creates a visual image of your company’s values? Are visitors and daily occupants reminded of your company’s contribution to the community?

Office design or redesign is a fantastic opportunity to complement and enhance your company’s brand and image. It can be done in multiple ways, including:

Showing Your Values.

If your company places emphasis on creativity, why not reflect that in your office design? Create an office that imaginatively uses your colors, logo, slogan, and mission statement, along with collaborative spaces and modern ergonomically friendly furniture. Your office design should not only create a positive impression on visitors and customers but also serve as an inspiring and motivating space for your employees.

PanAmerican School, recently redesigned by Bellia and incorporating school colors and values.

Using Your Company’s Brand Colors.

Give your office space your brand’s colors, with painting, décor, graphics and other images reminding visitors about your company and what you do. Your brand colors help to create a strong visual presence and personalizes your office space.

American Water HQ, recently redesigned by Bellia Office Design.

Reflect Your Community Presence.

Your modern office space should reflect your company’s place in the current environment…focusing on your sense community, teamwork, collaboration and commitment.

Employee Experience

An office redesign should also prioritize the well-being and productivity of your employees. Consider creating spaces that foster collaboration, innovation, and a positive work culture, while aligning with your brand’s aesthetic and values.

Find Out More About Reflecting Your Company’s Brand With Office Design!

At Bellia Office Design, we redesign office spaces with both efficiency and visual appeal in mind…and we can help you with an office design or redesign that makes the most of your space and with visual elements that uniquely represent your company’s brand. Reach out to us today for a free workspace evaluation and let us show you how you can love the space you’re in!

The pandemic has not only changed how K-12 and higher education buildings and spaces are designed and is also drawing great attention to the fact that students thrive when they’re able to socialize and connect with others. Collaboration and social interaction have become crucial pillars in this new environment and will continue to be as the pandemic wanes.

It’s no surprise that more and more educational institutions are focusing on spaces that can support such needs. Examples of connection space needs include:

• More communal spaces for students to connect in person
• Providing easily cleanable surfaces and materials that can stand up to heavy duty cleaning
• Dedicated media and wellness spaces and accessible and inviting outdoor spaces
• Flexible multi-use floor plans and furniture layouts that support various activities and gatherings

A recent article from Haworth® (see link below) further discusses the need for students to feel like they belong. As teenagers enter adulthood, it’s important for them to feel valued and included which further increases their performance in school. As a result, collaborative spaces are being designed for connection, collaboration, and flexibility.

The Bellia team, has over 50 years of combined experience in working with k-12 and higher education facilities on a number of collaborative and open plan design projects. For educational institutions at every level, the goal is to encourage collaboration and connection in its student body, through a customized furniture solution, while providing every single individual a sense of belonging.

Are Your Ready To Design Your Connection Based Educational Space?

With our extensive experience, the Bellia team can design the perfect educational space for connection in your facility – whether starting from scratch or simply updating your existing facility’s open spaces, we’ll be with you every step of the way. Reach out to us today to request a space evaluation and get started creating new and inviting spaces for your students!

Source: https://www.haworth.com/na/en/spark/articles/2022/q1/places-where-students-feel-they-belong.html