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Bizquip can provide a work environment that is productive, comfortable, encourage positive interaction and is an expression of your business

Michelle Leyden, Commercial Director of Bizquip, is the second generation of a family business established in 1984. According to Michelle, contemporary commercial interior design has firmly distanced itself from the detached feel of classic office spaces.

“Commercial furniture manufacturers and designers strive to make office spaces welcoming and flexible, turning the design focus of office spaces towards productivity, wellbeing, company culture, brand identity and creativity,” she explains.

Michelle adds that workplace and technology trends impact the focus of commercial interior design, and the emphasis is on the experience of the space, in addition to its function.

Even more importantly, employers are understanding that work environments are evolving, and they are now focused on providing a space that has human behaviour at its centre. This means ensuring the workspace enables people to collaborate and is also designed to include areas conducive to individual, focused work.

Resimercial Trend

With Ireland’s unemployment rate at a 13-year low of 4.8%, a job alone will no longer attract and retain talent. Job seekers are looking at the entire package, including the quality and atmosphere of a workspace, with wellbeing becoming a key priority in the working environment.

In Association with

With this in mind, the ‘resimercial’ trend of merging residential home aesthetics in the commercial office is increasingly prevalent. This design approach has been shown to improve employee morale, which in turn encourages retention and stimulates productivity. Onsite amenities such as gyms, catered canteen and mother-rooms have become a common feature in office fit-outs.

Equally, the introduction of facilities such as sit/stand desks and standing huddle areas encourages movement and breaks up a pattern of prolonged sitting. Ergonomic task seating and monitor arms, designed to support the people using them, can transform the space you work in. “Employers today understand that the more they invest in their people, the higher the employee satisfaction and increased productivity,” says Michelle.

Collaborative Design

As a prime example, Michelle cites Bizquip’s recent work at Deloitte’s office at Park Place, Dublin 2, for which Reddy Architecture + Urbanism was recently awarded ‘Best Medium Sized Office Fit Out’ at the 2019 Fit Out Awards. Bizquip installed a mix of fixed and height adjustable workstations, ergonomic task seating by Humanscale, meeting and training room furniture, along with a complete loose furniture package for break-out spaces. This new office space facilitates a variety of functions to ensure focused and collaborative types of work.

Another recent project which focused on employee wellbeing and collaboration is the atrium of Bishop’s Square, located in Dublin 2. The atrium offers tenants a multifunctional third space to interact and collaborate across a variety of zoned spaces consisting of meeting booths, sofas, armchairs and tall tables.

Looking forward, sustainability and environmental awareness have set the tone for all of us, especially in design. Michelle envisages it will include the implementation of more eco-friendly policies, green spaces and innovative materials. These innovations also help to address employee health and wellbeing.

If you want a more streamlined workplace, why not give Bizquip a call on 01 217 8000 and speak to one of their interiors experts about achieving your business goals, or visit bizquip.ie.

Pictured: Michelle Leyden, Commercial Director, Bizquip