The use of color in an office space has a significant impact on the atmosphere of the workplace and on those that occupy it. The right combination of colors can enhance the overall design, improve the functionality of the space, and create a more positive and productive work environment. 

According to the Institute for Color Research, within 90 seconds of first viewing, people make a subconscious judgement about a space or a product, and between 62% and 90% of that evaluation is based only on color. Additionally, in a ground-breaking study, the University of Texas discovered that when presented with different colors, varying brain responses can affect employee productivity and attitude.

In this article, we will discuss the power of color in offices by delving into the evidence surrounding color psychology, and the impact lighting and materials have on color, and how this should combine to be applied to office design. So, after reading, office interior designers, occupiers and landlords should gain some insight into how to use color to enhance the overall design of spaces, and improve the functionality and productivity of the office environment.

Read the rest of this entry »

The life sciences and healthcare sectors are two of the small handful of sectors that have come out stronger on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article offers an overview of relevant U.S. market data, as well as the way in which specialist office providers are serving the demands of businesses looking to house themselves in mixed-use office spaces that include both traditional desks and lab space.

Mixed-Use Office Space in the Life Sciences Sector

While offices occupied by countless other industries emptied virtually overnight in response to the pandemic, life sciences companies stayed put — with some even opting to move to larger premises to accommodate additional employees. In 2021, the sector was still attracting millions of dollars in investments — particularly in the fields of Biotech and Medtech — due to their status as safe, recession-proof assets. In fact, 2021 saw a record $78 billion of capital investments to life sciences-related companies in the United States, up from the $70 billion seen in 2020.

Rapid expansion also put pressure on these companies to source top talent. In the United States, life sciences is a leader for employment growth. Illustrating this — in Q1 2021 the life science sector had surpassed the tech sector in job creation numbers.  Read the rest of this entry »

Office renovations can help create a more productive workplace and support a business’s branding strategy. However, these projects can have a significant impact on capital expenditure. Calculated per rentable square foot (RSF), fit-out and renovation costs went ranged from $90 to $220/RSF in 2019-20, depending on location, office size, cost of labor, and industry sector – since some businesses (such as tech companies) require fit-outs to higher and more costly specifications.

What follows is a breakdown of the costs involved in renovating an office in the United States. *

Construction Costs

These costs involve the removal, addition or alteration of physical elements in a building, office floor or office unit. Construction costs include materials and labor, as well as fees charged by contractors, and they serve as the biggest expense in fit-out projects – accounting for 50% to 70% of the total cost.

Average costs are $90/RSF. Depending on location, they can be as high as $139/RSF or as low as $54/RSF.

Read the rest of this entry »