Some of the modern day office designs in major corporations like Google, Lego and Pixar Inc have some astonishing and exciting office designs that have ever been produced before. 

However, there is an argument to suggest that these designs somewhat stunt productivity and creativity. The reasoning behind this is that if everything around you from the walls and decor to games machines and intriguing graphics draw your attention away from the task at hand then not only will productivity be low but the quality of the ideas generated will therefore either also be poor or inspired by that of the space around you.

This point can be emphasised by the work of creative geniuses from years gone by, the likes of Roald Dahl, Pablo Picasso and John Lennon. These three iconic names from separate fields of creativity had work spaces in which were ordinary to say the least. There was no exceptional surroundings and inspirational decor to get their creative juices flowing. Instead they had imagination. (Check out there work spaces here, plus many more famous creative people and their offices)

Imagination is somewhat lacking in the modern day due to the capabilities of TV, Cinema and Computer Graphics. What people in history could only dream of and imagine is now seen daily throughout life and therefore no longer becomes an inspiration. 

When I was a child, back in the 1980's, when the computer games had limited to no graphics and cinema was starting to evolve in to how it is today, I used to pick up a pencil and rubber and draw what came to me. Sometimes it may have been what I could see, which was usually the decor in my bedroom and other times it may have been monsters from my imagination but this is something I enjoyed and have taken through to later life. I believe this should be something that all children are made to do as opposed to computer games.

However, with everything around you being vibrant and inspiring and visually exceptional your mind as a creative struggles to compete and therefore generating the initial idea can be quite difficult. I personally think that brainstorming on a blank canvas is the only way in which you can truly create what is right for you. 

This theory is also adaptable to office design, by sitting in a furnished room with lots of clutter makes it hard to understand the potential of the space. However, there are exceptional people in the world whom can look past all of these obstacles and see the potential and creativity in a project or task and no matter what is around them as inspiration, their work will still be awe-inspiring.

Some of these individuals work at Lomas Office Furniture and Stationery Supplies, they can look at a space and take the dimensions and come up with a plan in which will truly be perfect for your business.

Making the most of an office space is sometimes difficult due to the limitations that the space gives you. General office blocks are usually somewhat restricted by the leaseholder or building owner, however, what is stopping you from looking away from the conventional office space?

Selgas Cano Architecture, a Spanish architects office came up with the idea of creating an environment for their employees that would breed inspiration and therefore improve productivity of their employees.

The offices that they chose required some forward planning and some faith in their own ability, however, the result was astonishing. 

The purchased a plot of land which was within the woodland on the outskirts of a town and gained the necessary planning permission to construct a discrete and futuristic office block which allowed their employees to feel as though they were part of the woodland. The images above show the offices from several angles and the interior as well as the exterior.

Designing an office space like this takes an imagination and vision like no other which most companies would not go to this extent to create an office design and environment which will spawn inspiration and creativity and of course some businesses would also not suit this type of layout.

Even if it is just for inspiration purposes, or admiration of this forward thinking business, take the time to flick through the gallery and appreciate what it would be like to work within this environment.

Things to think about when considering an office refurbishment

When considering an office refurbishment, there are a number of different areas to which you may want to turn your attention. The following are some suggestions concerning redoing your office to make it into a more beautiful and intriguing space from a design perspective as well as encouraging a better work flow.

Repainting and Other Decor

One of the best places to start with refurbishing an office is with painting and other decor. Considering that you won't be able to do this sort of work while furniture, papers, lamps, desktop items, and so forth and are in the room it makes sense to get it out of the way first if you are going to do it.
Color can create tremendous differences in mood. If you are interested in creating dramatic changes in the atmosphere of the room, it thus makes sense to change the color markedly. Consider painting the room a striking bright color if it has hitherto been cool and understated. You can experiment with colors that in some way match the type of work you're doing in the room. You might want bright and multifaceted wall colors for a room in which various types of creative work are being done and more understated schemes for offices in which more ordinary types of work are happening. Or you may wish to do the vice versa opposite. It's really up to you - the point is to consider which colors you think will create the atmosphere you would like to work in.

Refurnishing

Refurnishing is another area in which big changes can occur. You can get rid of some or all of your old furniture pieces and replace them with new ones. You may wish, for instance, to keep your old mahogany desk and switch to a new and modern looking desk chair, room chairs, shelves, and table.
In refurnishing and office, more so even than with other room types, you need to factor in work flow. Select furniture pieces that inspire you stylistically but also make sure they are of sizes and shapes that allow you to move around in the office easily, access them from a sitting position, are usefully designed, and so on.

Floors and Floor Coverings

Offices are often best when they feel comfortable and cozy so wall to wall carpeting or area rugs are often a good option. If you already have wall to wall carpeting and don't feel like going through the hassle of re-installing new wall to wall, consider taking it out and substituting interesting and classy looking area rugs.
If the floor itself is junkie or worn seeming, carpeting can be used to hide it or you can re-install new flooring. Today's laminate flooring is often easier to install than, say, hardwood floors, marble, or tile. Tile is not all that difficult and can often be laid down over other flooring types (such as hardwood) to make an effective office floor.

Lighting

Lighting plays a big role in work atmospheres, so you will do well to turn your attention to it when you are refurbishing the office. Consider options like recessed lighting in ceilings, walls, and even floors, new modern and stylish lamps, cool and futuristic overhead lighting, and so on. Experiment also with different bulb wattage's and types and see which ones help you to concentrate best.

These are a few areas to consider when doing office refurbishment. Feel free to be creative and try out adventurous or even outlandish options when doing these re-furnishings. You will find that an experimental frame of mind often works best and results in effective and original results.

We have evidence that confirms the link between classroom environment and pupil performance, That’s the startling conclusion of a new report from the University of Salford and architect Nightingale Associates, which establishes a strong link between classroom environment and learning rates in schools.

The new research has revealed that education furniture has a significant impact on the academic performance of primary school children. It was found that the classroom environment can affect a child's academic progress over a year by as much as 25%. The year-long pilot study was carried out in seven Blackpool LEA primary schools. 34 classrooms with differing learning environments and age groups took part.

Professor Peter Barrett, from the School of the Built Environment at the University of Salford, said: “It has long been known that various aspects of the built environment impact on people in buildings, but this is the first time a holistic assessment has been made that successfully links the overall impact directly to learning rates in schools. The impact identified is in fact greater than we imagined.”

The study took two lines of enquiry. The first was to collect data from 751 pupils, such as their age, gender and performance level in maths, reading, and writing at the start and end of an academic year. The second evaluated the holistic classroom environment, taking into account different design parameters such as classroom orientation, natural light and noise, temperature and air quality. Other issues such as flexibility of space storage facilities and organisation, as well as use of the colour were evaluated.

Current findings suggest that placing an average pupil in the least effective, rather than the most effective classroom environment could affect their learning progress by as much as the average improvement across on year.

Maybe some of the below classroom designs can help re-stimulate your children and improve their productivity and improve there learning:

A great and inspirational article on some of the greatest and weirdest office designs on earth.

Featured are such offices like the headquarters of Pixar Animations whom have some of the most inspiring and unique office spaces that I have ever seen. Depending on the employee and the department in which they work, depends on the style and type of office space in which they have to work their creative magic. Some of the office spaces have open plan areas with pool tables, table football and games consoles whilst others have iPads, couches and relaxation zones.

Another of the featured offices is a unique invention by a London based company which goes by the name of the OfficePOD. This is a home office solution which could be placed at the end of a garden or at the side of a property in which doesn't have any internal space to create an office environment.

All of the details and to read the complete article, please follow the link here: Weirdest Office Designs on Earth

You’ve probably heard a lot about ergonomics, or at the very least, you’ve probably heard the term and understand a little bit about it. While most people know about ergonomics, many don’t know how important it really is when it comes to buying and setting up office furniture. Ergonomic office furniture can make a huge difference in your business, whether you work from a home office or you’re buying office furniture for a major corporation. There are even benefits to making your work space more comfortable, even if you work for somebody else.

Ergonomic Furniture Improves Productivity

The use of ergonomic pieces of furniture like office chairs and office tables help increase productivity by making needed items easier to access and use on a daily basis. For example, office tables are always at an appropriate height, which means people of various heights can work comfortably without straining, which can greatly improve how productive an employee is. Think about it – if you’re always uncomfortable at work and you can’t access the things you need quickly to do your job, time will be wasted. Ergonomic furniture helps improve productivity in all positions within an office.

Ergonomic Furniture Prevents Injury

Office workers spend a vast amount of time sitting at a desk, working on a computer or in meetings with clients and other employees. Over long periods of time, doing office tasks like typing, reaching for files from a file cabinet beneath a desk and straining ones neck to view an out-of-place monitor can cause aches and pains, as well as more serious injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome. The aches, pains and minor injuries might not seem like a big deal at the time, but if you’re an employer, they can cost you a great deal in productivity and potential injury claims down the road. If you work in an office, having an ergonomic work space can help you avoid injuries that could lead to serious conditions like arthritis later in life.

All Offices Need Ergonomic Office Chairs 

Office chairs are perhaps the biggest offender when it comes to office comfort. Almost everybody that works in an office sits in a chair most of the day. In fact, most employees don’t even take breaks to stretch and simply move around for long periods of time in order to get their work done. Ergonomic office chairs that allow an employee to sit at the proper angle with their feet at a 90-degree angle and their lower back firmly against the chair are much less likely to develop back and spine problems related to sedentary work. 

Stress Reduction 

You’ve probably heard that a happy employee is a productive one, and while that might seem like a cliche, it's a statement you've heard so many times because it's true. Whether you work for somebody, you're self-employed or you’re in charge of overseeing a large staff, comfort within the workplace is important. Bad furniture in an office can put stress on the body and draw focus away from business. Using ergonomic pieces of furniture like quality office chairs and office tables will help to relieve workplace related tension. Proper lighting can also help to reduce stress headaches, eye strain and keep employees from feeling less than alert when they’re at their desk. 

Choosing the best executive furniture for the office environment can be more complex than many people may think. Some of the more important aspects to consider include adaptability, functionality, image and cost. Another important aspect is comfort, both for staff and visitors, particularly if the staff member is sitting at their desk for long periods of time. Additionally, anyone who receives visitors will need to have adequate and comfortable seating to conduct business meetings.

Physical Health

First and foremost, ergonomics plays an important role in the selection of executive furniture. People who do not sit correctly can be vulnerable to low productivity, while also subject to developing physical health issues. From back injuries to carpel tunnel syndrome, there is plenty of evidence that points to chair and desk configurations as a key factor to preventing these issues.

Design Elements

With regard to appearance, the executive furniture will set a standard and make a statement about the business. As the saying goes, there is only one chance to make a first impression. Office furnishings is one area that can either reflect favourably or poorly on the business. Clients and staff need to feel welcome and comfortable in any environment in order to conduct business efficiently.

Whether interviewing staff or potential clients, the layout and style of the office conveys the image of the organisation. This is true from the lobby to the reception desk and all the way through to the meeting rooms. In other words, it is not only the management space that should have the right type of furnishings and design. While some work spaces may not seem to require top of the line furnishings, the fact is that if a client may see it - the level of importance is elevated. Also, investing in the best types of pieces throughout the office will only raise staff morale, which translates to higher productivity.

Styles

Depending upon the image you want to create, managerial and executive furniture could include anything from high end traditional pieces to more modern styles. The most important thing to remember is that each piece should flow well with the space and portray the company favourably. Using the highest quality pieces possible is a must.

The style of executive furniture should reflect the type of clients you would like to attract. For example, if the company is in the technology business, clients may tend to be more progressive. Therefore, a more modern approach is most likely in order. From the type of desks and chairs to artwork, each piece should blend well together.

If the business is more traditional and has clients that are the same, perhaps it would be better to focus on classic design pieces and more recognisable types of art. Many businesses are trying to attract a variety of different kinds of clients. In those cases, an eclectic mix of executive furniture would work best. One way to accomplish this aside from mixing pieces in one space is to dedicate certain rooms for different purposes.

There are many options and styles to choose from when it comes to executive furniture. The key is to find the most high quality pieces that you can afford which reflect your style, while enhancing your image. This is why consulting with a professional interior designer or executive furniture specialist is advisable, to ensure that the most cohesive and positive image is conveyed by the company. 

Owners have long followed the business adage, “every little bit counts.” In support of this viewpoint, office design has grown tremendously as an element in business marketing. Traditionally given little more consideration than matching company color schemes, today more and more study and research has gone into discovering what transforms them into successful, brand expanding spaces.

How an office is arranged can yield huge impacts over the work performed within them. Avoiding prior planning will most likely breed an environment of disorganization and inefficiency. Careful consideration should be placed on how daily operations, traffic flow of employees and visitors, interior décor, and overall company objectives will integrate with the given physical space. A floor plan which is clean, organized, and full of inspiration has well documented links to higher productivity and optimism among staff.

It’s important to remember that office spaces are built to be used. Thoughtfulness for user needs is essential for successful office designing. Every decision, from location to types of furniture to layout, should be made for the benefit of those who will utilize the space. As different users will undoubtedly have different requirements, this beginning phase of the planning process can be difficult to tackle, but sidestepping this step will more than likely guarantee failure. Supporting the individuality of employees through office design can go a long way toward displaying a company’s values to clients and staff. Customizing office furniture for height, weight, special needs, and duties has the added benefits of enhanced job quality and satisfaction.
When designing office interiors, aesthetic and functional adaptability are important factors to remember. Neutral wall colors will combine well with a variety of artwork and other visual elements. Often overlooked, flooring can truly compliment the visual language of an office space. With a variety of attractive and economical choices available, classically bland floors are now things of the past.

In terms of practical application, mobile shelving and filing cabinets can go a long way toward furthering flexibility. Additionally these units can serve to conceal clutter which helps to promote a professional atmosphere. Office furniture which lends itself toward easy disassembly will make rearranging for future business growth a much smoother process.

Breakout areas can be an effective alternative to traditional conference rooms, which require a good deal of real estate and are costly to design. These meeting areas eliminate the need for windows and partitions. In fact, avoiding the addition or modification of large systems like ventilation, lighting, and plumbing is particularly important for keeping expenses manageable. Breakouts make these alterations avoidable. Also, because they integrate with the rest of the office, additional décor is unnecessary. This integration helps to foster an environment of kinship and openness.

By the employment of simple strategies to office design, appealing spaces are crafted which generate productive and satisfying work environments. Keeping users at the forefront of planning efforts will ensure that the needs of employees and visitors alike will be successfully provided.