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.

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

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.