When it comes to the design of a commercial office building, there are some important items you need to include. A conference room or quiet space for meetings, desks and areas for work to be completed, and lots of natural light. Forgetting to include natural light in office building construction can lead to high employee turnover and less productivity. No matter what kind of office building you are constructing, including natural light will bring benefits to those who visit your office and the employees who work there.
Benefits Of Natural Light
What exactly do business owners get when they include natural light in a space? How can natural light improve an office building design? There are many benefits of natural light, from physical to widening the space. Below are some benefits you can get when you include natural light in construction.
More Welcoming Atmosphere
Walking into an office building can sometimes give you an artificial feeling. They can feel crammed and confusing when windows or skylights are not implemented. Adding more windows to an office space will help visitors feel more welcome in your building while also helping employees feel more excited to come to work.
Increased Productivity
Vitamin D helps increase energy and productivity levels. Some research shows that workers took less sick leave, were able to complete more projects, and lowered their likelihood of headaches and eye strain. All of these combined help to increase productivity in your workplace.
Connect To The Outdoors
Workers who are able to feel the sun can feel connected to the environment and nature while still being engaged with their work. If your business is located near some impressive scenery, having large windows or glass doors can help workers to have something else to look at, besides just their computer screen. Connection to the world around us helps us to be more well-rounded people and may even spark some creative ideas.
Boost Vitamin D
The sunshine vitamin can provide many mental and physical health benefits to our bodies. Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption and has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps improve immune health and brain cell activity. All of these benefits can be great for your workers and your office space. Since we spend a lot of time indoors at work, our levels of Vitamin D can suffer severely. Including natural light in office building construction can be a win-win for productivity in your business.
Create A Construction Design With Skylights
One unique way to implement more natural light in your office is to include skylights. Stores with skylights saw improved sales numbers according to Pacific Gas and Electric. Fluorescent lighting can cause eye strain and feel stifling, which can make it hard for clients to feel open to what your business has to offer. Implementing skylights in your construction plan will help you maximize wall space while also having a unique element in your architectural design.
A Design With Light-Reflecting Materials
In addition to including windows in your office building, another way to help increase natural light is to use light-reflecting materials. Using the right colors and materials will help the light fill the room and trick the natural eye into thinking the room is bigger than it really is.
One easy way to keep natural light in your office without compromising privacy is to use sheer curtains or blinds. These can help prevent glares during the early hours of the morning, while still letting some light into the office space. Sheer curtains are often made in lighter colors, which will help to open up the office space and avoid it feeling cramped.
Including mirrors and other reflective materials in your decor will help to reflect natural light around the room. Metal decor, desks, or organizers can be a good place to start. Mirrors in common areas will also help make the space feel more inviting and much bigger.
Choose The Right Glass For Windows
Choosing energy-efficient and durable windows for your office building will give you all the benefits you are seeking. Low-emissivity glass the the best option if you want your building to be eco-friendly. The right coated glass can also help let in natural light without letting the building get too hot. Only you will know what type of windows will fit best in your office environment and help you stay productive and protected. Working with the right contractors should give you insight into what materials are best for your business while also considering your budget.
EK Bailey can help you through all the design stages of your construction project. Including natural light in office building construction is something we have experience doing. We have worked on many retail, office, and healthcare spaces that rely on natural light to function. Contact our experts to get started on your project.