Skip to main content

Is the Outdoor Office Just a Trend?


In search of greater workspace positivity, enhanced team performance, and professional wellbeing; today’s offices are getting closer to nature.

Outdoor offices are making waves in the world of workspace design. This new trend is expanding the boundaries of the office layout and tons of property developers are eager to hop on board. But, it may be wise to take a deeper look at the situation to see if and how it could be applied to your CRE property.

If you’re thinking about adding an outdoor office to your existing building, you might want to consider these 3 points, first.

Why Bring Business Outside?

The question might be better asked ‘why not bring business outside?’

In the past decade alone, the world of business has taken on a completely new face. As global professional culture continues to adapt, the physical spaces need to keep up, too.

Countless trends have made their mark on workspace design. The open office concept, flexible space, eco-chic, and even modular designs have all pushed the boundaries of the physical spaces where work gets done. But, throughout all of these phases, one factor remains - a connection to the outdoors.

Adding plants and larger windows were on everyone’s ‘list of office improvements’. Today, this demand has taken the forefront as offices are actually moving outside. Contemporary research and analytics prove that connecting with nature and biophilic elements can work wonders in a professional atmosphere.

Motivation, happier moods, and better health are just some of the benefits commonly associated with workspaces integrating more nature. Adding an outdoor work environment as an option for tenants and team members is the latest way that CRE’s office sector is tapping into the perks of natural exposure on the workforce.

Will the Outdoor Office Movement Stay Strong?

Just because the outdoor office is relatively new on the scene doesn’t mean it’s not here to stay. The sudden burst in popularity and interest is likely in response to a need felt by many office tenants and CRE developers - especially those working in temperate climates. The industry has been steadily moving closer to nature and the outdoor office boom represents the next big step.

Whether it’s to build a strong company culture or boost productivity, outdoor offices are a great way to maximize a company’s potential.

3 Tips to Make it Work

While many benefits come along with adopting the outdoor office trend, use these forward-thinking tips to avoid any bumps along the way.

The experts recommend designing specialty areas that accommodate multiple different purposes. Create key areas for desk-like tasks, relaxation, and team discussions. Always choose furnishings that are both ergonomic and business-oriented, and don’t forget to add plenty of tables.

Be sure to incorporate shade-providing umbrellas and heavy paperweights to keep the elements from interfering with users’ workflows.

Choose easy to clean furnishings that can weather out any storms. Look for strong and durable materials that won’t get distressed or degraded easily to avoid having to make hasty replacements.

Apply these 3 tips when expanding your office outdoors.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

4 Senior Housing Trends That Will Continue to Change the Space in 2020

Senior housing developments have been a popular conversation within the commercial real estate business. As the life expectancy of seniors keeps getting older and older, the growing elderly population faced a serious housing crisis in 2019. The 80+ population skyrocketed before CRE could keep up. And when it finally did, there was a lot of work to do. In order to accommodate today’s aging population, senior housing developments were a serious need. Even though investor demand started off slow, the sudden boom motivated commercial real estate developers and investors to take action and begin making moves. With more CRE pros jumping on the senior housing market opportunities, the competition went from 0 to 100 in no time. As a result, an amenity-war has broken out - but it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Let’s look at these 4 senior housing trends that are redesigning the senior housing module in 2020 and beyond: In-House Medical Services Seniors ...

NAI Emory Hill Sells Wilmington Shopping Center

  Wilmington, DE – NAI Emory Hill ( www.naiemoryhill.com ) is pleased to announce the sale of a 8,710 square foot shopping center located at 2308 Concord Pike in Wilmington, DE to The Wittig Family at DSM Commercial. Dave Morrison and Jim O’Hara Jr., of NAI Emory Hill, represented the purchaser and Seller in this transaction. This retail center is anchored by Mattress Firm, Green Drop and China Inn. The center is strategically located at the intersection of Sharpley Road and offers a great retail location along the busy Route 202 corridor. NAI Emory Hill is a completely full-service commercial and residential real estate firm serving Delaware and the surrounding counties of Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Founded in 1981, we have the resources to design, build, finance, lease, sell, manage and maintain commercial and residential properties throughout the Mid-Atlantic . Learn more about our services at: www.propertymanagementdelaware.com www.emoryhillhomes.com

Protecting NOI in the Senior Living Space

When observing the latest trends in senior living, don’t jump to any conclusions - make sure you’ve got the whole picture first. CRE’s senior living sector is facing low occupancy rates - but that doesn’t mean the industry isn’t standing strong. When it comes to NOI, occupancy isn’t everything. While a property’s occupancy rates can act as the main contributor to net operating income, there are other elements that help fuel profits for commercial real estate investors . So what’s going on in the senior living spaces that are sparking turbulence for commercial real estate? Here’s a breakdown: Construction is Booming For the last few years, senior living spaces have been undergoing a surge of construction. Unfortunately, this elongated period of growth has taken a major hit on occupancy rates. In the five years between 2014 and 2019, national occupancy rates for senior living facilities have dropped 2.5% . As reported by the National Investment Center for Senior H...