If you’re looking to relocate your business to a new office or move into an office for the first time, knowing what size premises you need can seem daunting.
On the one hand, there are plenty of factors to consider, from workforce size and budget to preferred working style. On the other hand, though, choosing how much space your company needs can be an exciting opportunity to consider things such as forecasted business growth and workplace culture.
Here at Myo, owned and operated by Landsec, we’re the office experts. With five successful, dynamic office locations in London, we understand that workspaces should promote productivity and enable businesses to thrive, not hold them back.
Read on to learn how to decide which office size is right for your company.
UK office space regulations
The vogue for hybrid working in recent years has taken the concept of the office by storm, changing the way in which workspaces are used by businesses while giving rise to phenomena such as hotdesking and coworking.
However, the regulations for workspaces laid down by health and safety legislation decades ago remain unchanged. In 1992, Regulation 10 of the Workplace Regulations specified that offices should allow a minimum of 11 cubic metres (or 4.6 square metres) of space per employee, assuming ceiling height is an average of 2.4 metres.
So, before anything else, an office needs to comfortably accommodate your employees, giving them more than the minimum space prescribed by these regulations at least.
What do you need from an office space?
One of the best ways to determine the ideal size of your office is by considering the unique needs of your business. Below is a list of common things that companies require from an office to get you started:
Meeting rooms
Every office requires at least one private meeting room for employees to discuss matters of importance in a comfortable, confidential space. Whether to host an interview or conduct a sales pitch, a meeting room should allow for an uninterrupted, immersive experience for employees and clients alike.
As such, it is advisable — especially if you are renting a shared workspace — to check whether you can easily hire a meeting room from the building or office rental company you are with. To find out more about our private meeting rooms, you can download this helpful brochure.
Collaborative working areas
For some companies, working collaboratively is essential. Group discussions and meetings on upcoming projects are, for many organisations, the cornerstone of business success.
This style of working gives rise to the need for open, shared spaces where ideas can be raised in a relaxed forum. If your employees prefer to work in this way, then your office space should be large enough to accommodate a central area with meeting tables, comfortable seats and power points.
Flexible working spaces
Since the recent pandemic, many employees have become remote, working from home, and reducing the amount of office space needed. Now, however, workforces are becoming ever more hybrid, with many workers choosing to combine working from home with days in the office.
Should a large number of your employees wish to return to working in the office full-time again, do you have enough desk space for them all? Or, if working from home is the norm in your company, do you have too many desks going unused each month?
Space for facilities
Lastly, it goes without saying that the office is more than just a space for work. Workplace culture is vital for employee well-being, satisfaction, and retention.
But does your current office space reflect this? Are there specific zones for employees to eat their lunch away from their desks? Have you accounted for the space that certain facilities such as a tea and coffee area or cycle storage may take up?
Key considerations for office size planning
There are also a handful of other factors that come into play when determining office size. Use the questions below to help you.
Company culture
Does your company invest a lot of time in its culture? Do your employees meet regularly in teams to socialise and discuss upcoming projects? Does your company host regular networking events, talks, or conferences? If so, is there a need for a large, multifunctional space?
Business growth
Is your workforce set to increase in the coming months and years? Are you going to be hiring more workers? If yes, will they need a permanent desk or will they work from home? Will you need an office space that can accommodate the integration of new employees comfortably?
Accessibility
Is your office designed with accessibility in mind? As an example, is there enough space around desks and in corridors to accommodate those with certain accessibility needs such as wheelchair users?
The offices here at Myo have considered all of the above to create accessible, stylish, and functional workspaces for companies to rent. See for yourself here.
The benefits of a spacious office
It goes without saying that cramped, dark office spaces where employees are practically tripping over each other are hardly conducive to productive work output. On the other side of the same coin, though, there are plenty of benefits to open large offices.
For one, they usually come with more natural light than smaller offices. Which, as we’ve unpacked elsewhere, brings with it a whole host of mental and physical benefits to employees. Similarly, larger office spaces tend to allow for greater ventilation and improved air quality — another factor that influences productivity and workplace health.
What it comes down to is this: the more room inside an office, the greater space workers have to be flexible and productive.
Enjoy spacious offices at Myo
Here at Myo, we believe that a business’ growth should never be inhibited by office space. That’s why our offices in Bankside, Liverpool Street, New Street Square, St Paul’s and Victoria Street are bright, open, and airy.
To have a look for yourself, book a tour today or simply download any one of our informative brochures.
