As businesses that are focused on all things cutting edge and innovative, tech companies have often been seen as trendsetters in the world of office design. Offices for companies like Google and Facebook have been credited for driving demand for things like open plan layouts, casual atmospheres, and fun amenities like game rooms. But, as is the case for businesses in many other industries, tech companies can have some unique challenges to deal with when it comes to design.
Supporting Hybrid Work
After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, companies in a wide range of industries – including the tech industry – were left trying to catch up with the changes it brought to the ways people work. Many tech companies suddenly had offices that were being under-utilized and the rise of hybrid work changed the ways people engaged with their workplaces. According to a study by Hassell, tech companies had often over-optimized for open layouts before the pandemic and didn’t have enough spaces that were well-suited for things like video conferencing once that became more widely used.
Planning for Growth & Flexibility
Having the ability to quickly adapt to change has always been important for tech companies. Not only is the industry constantly growing and evolving, hybrid work being added to the mix has only made it more important than ever for companies to have spaces that can quickly adapt to change.
Before moving into new spaces, it’s important for tech companies to think about what their current needs are, as well as where they expect to be in the next few years, so they don’t end up with a space they’ll quickly outgrow. Flexible, easy-to-reconfigure layouts are excellent for tech companies expecting to grow.
Flexibility is also important for companies trying to better support hybrid work. Hybrid work means the things people need from their workplace can vary from day to day. The idea of having a flexible environment doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to your layout, it can also mean having variety in the types of spaces people can work in. When people have a choice between working at home and working in the office, they often choose to come to the office to collaborate with others, so meeting areas tend to be in high demand. On the other end of the spectrum, people might also be looking for quiet spaces where they can focus on their work alone, away from distractions they might have at home.
Designing to Attract & Retain Talent
With how competitive the tech industry can be, anything that can help attract new talent and keep highly qualified workers engaged over time is worth considering. Don’t underestimate the impact office design can have on this. First impressions really do matter. According to one survey by HR Review, 72% of job seekers decide whether or not they want to work for a company within the first 30 seconds based on their first impression of their offices. Additionally, 81% of respondents said they would turn down a job offer if the office didn’t feel like a place they wanted to spend time in and didn’t get a positive sense of their company culture.
Looking for help creating an office that can help your company grow? Premier Construction & Design has worked with companies in a wide range of industries in the metro Detroit area and would love to help create a space that works for you. Contact us today so that we can learn more about your project.
