Commercial property accounts for an estimated 20% of business operating costs. 

Whether surrounded by empty desks following a restructure, outgrowing offices following a consolidation, or relocating premises, there are a number of ways in which occupiers can get better value from their floor space.

Are you making the most of your floor space?

An innovative approach to layout design and space allocation can reduce operating costs, streamline workflows, increase efficiency and help with staff retention and recruitment.

Increasing the value of your physical space

Well planned space rises in value over time. There is no single prescription for achieving the best value, but the last 30 years have culminated in a business community that is mobile and flexible, technology-fuelled, and environmentally-conscious. Occupiers now need to take all these factors into consideration when attempting to gain the best value from their physical space.

Considering workforce requirements is essential

The most important, yet sometimes overlooked, consideration is the requirements of the workforce. Some of the happiest staff, and as a result most productive, work in an environment that is a perfect fit. Be that through spacious design for a media business, appropriate privacy and security for a law firm, or the infrastructure to enable people to work from home. Moulding the building’s make-up to the demands of those in it can have a highly positive impact on staff productivity and in the longer term, recruitment and retention.

The impact of flexible working 

To this end, flexible working practices introduced in 2002, provide a further point of consideration.  The ability to work remotely, different hours and/or from home has had a positive effect on the productivity of staff, and in turn the requirements for technology needs to support these flexible working practices and occupiers should look at the feasibility of a “hot desk” strategy when considering their options.

DSA recognises significant benefits of best possible working environment

A company who knows the importance of well planned office space is the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) who instructed us to project manage the fit out of its award winning HQ in Nottingham. The brief was to create a flexible working space for over 500 staff to accommodate the organisation for a minimum of 15 years. 

Rosalind Groves, Head of Estates and Facilities at the DSA, commented: “At the DSA we realise that creating the best possible working environment will not only improve communications, integrate teams and maximise flexible working opportunities, but also inspire a change in culture around the office. I believe we have achieved this with our new HQ.”