Everyone Has Done This Before—Except the Tenant
That’s not a disadvantage. But it requires a different kind of attention. The Room Has Done This Before The lease is signed. The architect has…
workplace planning
Before You Plan the New Office, Ask the People Who Actually Use It
Employee input can uncover how the business really operates. The challenge is separating useful requirements from individual preferences. When a company starts planning a new…
Furniture Mockups and Employee Surveys Test the Workstation Before You Commit
Let employees use the proposed workstation, ask structured questions, and learn what works before the furniture order is locked. A workstation can look perfectly reasonable…
Simple Office Space Calculator
A quick starting point for estimating office space requirements. There are plenty of office space calculators available, but I’ve always liked simple tools that let…
Should you Refurbish or Replace Broken, Worn or Torn Office Chairs?
Before replacing a worn chair, find out what failed, what can be repaired and whether the chair is worth keeping. Office furniture ages over time….
Does the Workplace Concept Fit the Work?
Open office, private offices, assigned seats or shared spaces are design responses. The owner first needs to define what people actually need the workplace to…
Should You Reuse, Refurbish or Buy Office Furniture?
The lowest furniture price may look attractive until you account for reconfiguration, missing parts, logistics, schedule and what the workplace actually needs. Updated October 2026…
Are You Designing the New Space Around Things You Don’t Need?
Before allocating space to files, furniture, equipment and accumulated material, decide what actually needs to make the move. Originally published January 2012. Updated October 2026….
Ask Employees How the Work Happens
Employees can expose operational requirements a project team may never see. The challenge is getting useful input without turning workplace planning into a vote. Originally…