Description

Improve the indoor climate with office remodeling

 

It’s common for people to use “office remodeling” and “office renovation” interchangeably, but there are some key distinctions. Essentially, office renovation focuses on updating or restoring an existing space, often involving cosmetic changes. Office remodeling, however, involves altering the space’s structure or layout, potentially changing its function.  Thus, remodeling is typically a more extensive and complex project than renovation.

Protecting the health and well-being of employees benefits businesses and society. Because healthy workers take fewer sick days, reduce the burden on the healthcare system, and are more productive.

Research shows that indoor climate (as well as office ergonomics) impacts employee health in the long term. When planning an office remodeling project, it is important to consider these factors. And select products that improve indoor working conditions.

A  person spends a significant amount of their lifetime in the office. Now imagine what will happen to their health and productivity during this time in suboptimal conditions. High noise levels can lead to stress and problems with concentration, as well as heart disease. And high humidity in the office causes breathing difficulties or even asthma.

Office remodeling is more than just a health issue. It helps organizations reduce operating costs, increase productivity, and improve employee well-being. Employees are a company’s most valuable (and often most expensive) resource. And providing them with a healthy, comfortable environment can improve productivity, and employee satisfaction, and reduce sick leave. Likewise, a positive work environment helps organizations attract talented employees, improve sustainability, and become more environmentally friendly.

Soundproof office remodeling

 

To improve the health and well-being of employees, we must first reduce the negative impact of noise pollution on their work environment. Noise is unwanted sounds that penetrate the worker’s consciousness, distracting them and making them more irritable.

Improved office acoustics have been shown to improve employee productivity, especially when performing tasks that require sustained concentration and focus. Increased noise levels have been linked to adverse health effects. Research has linked them to immediate productivity issues, including:

– decreased mental acuity and cognitive abilities due to constant distraction.

– more errors when completing tasks – because hearing is constantly reacting to stimuli.

At the same time, prolonged noise exposure can cause:

– increased stress and anxiety among workers.

– an increase in blood pressure and the development of hypertension due to an increase in pulse rate.

By using the sound-absorbing properties of rock wool slabs in office building structures, contractors can remodel to create a more comfortable indoor acoustic environment. This, in turn, helps companies attract more talented people, retain their most valuable resources, and create more sustainable office spaces.

Major remodeling for a comfortable office indoor microclimate

 

Poor insulation in an office building leads to increased costs and a poor indoor climate. If employees are uncomfortable performing their tasks, their work efficiency will decline. With poor insulation, maintaining comfortable conditions on the premises is often quite expensive – energy bills increase.

Why Natural Light Is Important in Office Remodelling

Remodeling your office to optimize natural light intake will improve employee health and well-being. Highly reflective ceiling tiles and wall panels with attractive designs help to let in maximum natural light flow, providing:

– increased worker productivity

Increasing artificial lighting levels by 100 lux can increase worker efficiency by 0.8 percent, while optimizing daylight can increase efficiency by 10 percent;

– rest and recuperation

Office workers who work near windows rest better at night, becoming more productive and alert during the day;

– Improved Health

Research has found that workers exposed to more natural light take 6.5 percent less sick leave on average;

– increased satisfaction

 

In offices with plants, natural light, and a pleasant interior design, employees are more satisfied with their work and the workplace.

Knowing these aspects and their importance is the first step toward a successful renovation. The next step is finding the right solution for your project (depending on your goals, budget, and building type).

Eight Solutions for Office Remodeling

1. Acoustic screens and office remodeling

 

Acoustic screens are invaluable in modern office remodeling, particularly in open-plan layouts. They address the common issue of noise disruption, enhancing focus and productivity. Strategically placed screens absorb sound waves, reducing echo and reverberation. This creates distinct zones, fostering both collaboration and individual concentration. Beyond functionality, acoustic screens offer design flexibility, available in various materials, colors, and sizes to complement any aesthetic. They can act as visual dividers, creating a sense of privacy without fully enclosing spaces. Integrating acoustic screens into remodeling plans transforms noisy offices into comfortable, productive environments.

2. Insulation of internal walls

Insulating interior walls will help maintain temperature comfort and separate hot and cold areas. In addition, reducing the transmission of sounds between rooms is important for meeting rooms and when separating public areas from work areas. Insulating interior walls with stone wool will help reduce the level of interroom noise and create a quiet working environment in the office.

3. Ceiling tiles office remodelling

 

Rock wool ceiling tiles offer a trifecta of benefits for office spaces. They effectively dampen noise, creating a calmer, more focused environment. Their high light reflectance, up to 86%, maximizes natural sunlight, reducing glare and fostering a brighter, more inviting atmosphere. This increased natural light not only enhances employee well-being and productivity but also translates to reduced reliance on artificial lighting, leading to energy savings. The combined effect of noise reduction, improved natural light, and minimized glare creates a significantly more comfortable and productive workspace, making rock wool ceiling tiles a smart investment in office remodeling.

4. Insulation of external walls

Maintaining a stable and comfortable temperature in the room begins with the insulation of the external walls. Its installation will reduce heat exchange between the office space and the external environment, creating coolness for employees in the summer and warmth in the winter. The natural ability of stone wool to “breathe” will help maintain stable air humidity in the room, making it better. Finally, due to its sound-absorbing properties, such insulation reduces the level of external noise.

5. Office remodelling with acoustic wall panels

 

In contemporary offices, characterized by expanses of hard, reflective surfaces, noise pollution can significantly hinder productivity. When traditional sound-dampening methods are insufficient, acoustic wall panels offer a practical and visually appealing solution. 

These panels effectively absorb sound waves, mitigating echoes and reverberation. Their ease of installation on diverse wall types makes them adaptable to various office layouts. Beyond their functional benefits, acoustic panels enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space, available in a wide array of designs and finishes.

By strategically incorporating these panels, offices can transform noisy environments into tranquil, focused workspaces.

6. Insulation of floor and ceiling

Floor insulation is indeed a critical component of office remodeling, directly impacting occupant comfort and safety. By incorporating effective insulation between floors, you create a more tranquil workspace, significantly reducing disruptive noise transmission. Thermal comfort is also enhanced, maintaining consistent temperatures and reducing energy costs. Furthermore, utilizing materials like rock wool provides a substantial boost to fire safety. Its inherent fire-resistant properties act as a powerful barrier, slowing the spread of flames and providing crucial time for safe evacuation. This not only protects the building but, more importantly, the people within it, making floor insulation a vital investment in a comfortable and secure office environment.

7. Facade

 

Rockpanel facade cladding offers a comprehensive solution for enhancing your office building’s environment. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it significantly improves thermal comfort by providing a robust insulation layer, minimizing heat transfer, and maintaining a consistent indoor temperature. Simultaneously, its sound-dampening properties effectively reduce external noise, creating a more tranquil and productive workspace. The durable and versatile nature of Rockpanel allows for a wide range of design possibilities, transforming your building’s exterior into a modern and visually striking facade. By combining enhanced thermal performance, noise reduction, and a contemporary aesthetic, Rockpanel cladding elevates both the comfort and appearance of your office building.

8. Office ceiling insulation.

Hot air rises. The same principle that makes hot air balloons fly also applies to airflow in a building. Maintaining a stable, comfortable indoor temperature without incurring high heating or air conditioning costs requires a well-insulated building envelope. But because heat rises, the ceiling is the first place to look when it comes to improving thermal comfort and reducing energy costs.

Choosing a contractor for your office remodeling

The budget

 

This is probably the most obvious point to consider when comparing different companies. The budget is the tool that office owners usually use to choose a contractor, and the lowest price is usually the one that gets the job done. But this is a very serious mistake for several reasons:

Not everyone is budgeting the same

 

Unless you have an architect or interior designer who has drawn up plans and a specification, each contractor will budget a renovation very differently. This means that the lowest budget does not necessarily have to be the cheapest. The reason it is so low may be that the budgeted quality is worse than that of their competitors.

Cheap is expensive

 

Everything has its fair price and in construction, we seem to have forgotten this, as it is increasingly common to see ridiculous prices that do not correspond to the reality of a job well done. The painter who charges sh 300 per square meter and the one who charges sh 600 is not at all similar. Both will paint the wall in the color you have indicated, but the quality of the finish and the execution of the same will be very different.

Estimates

It is not unusual to find a price estimate, rather than a broken-down price, in a construction company’s estimate. If you see that a price is too low, it is probably an estimate intended to increase the budget once the work has started. This is common in electrical bills, with estimates of 10 sockets for an office that ends up having 80 or more.

If you cannot rely on the advice of a professional to explain the estimates and you know nothing about construction, then trust the most complete estimate. The one that has the prices perfectly broken down according to meters or units and that includes things that others have overlooked. It is also advisable that if you have several different estimates, you compare prices for the same item and if you see a notable difference between contractors, ask them directly why they are that way.

How to plan for office remodeling

It is very common that, together with the budget for the office remodeling, the contractor gives you an estimated time frame for the work, normally expressed in months. These time frames are of little or no use if they do not also have a plan for the renovation. By plan, we mean a table or flow chart that specifies the duration of each job. Taking into account the compatibility of certain jobs and the maximum dates for ordering materials. A company that has this type of planning done before the start of the work has a great advantage over its competition. And is much more likely to finish on time.

Office remodelling regulation and licenses

This seems obvious, that a company dedicated to construction should know the regulations that affect it. As well as the licenses that it must obtain before starting any work. However, it is not as unusual as it seems that an office remodeling contractor is not up to date with the regulations of the Technical Building Code. Or that he is completely unaware of the requirements of the County Councils regarding fees and licenses.

Whenever you are modifying the layout of a premises, or office, even if it is just a partition, you must first apply for a permit. If a contractor tries to convince you otherwise, you should bear in mind that fines and penalties are always for the owner.

The construction manager

If there is one thing that people don’t like about doing a renovation, it is having to be constantly on top of it and being somewhat afraid that if they are not keeping an eye on the contractor at all times, something bad will end up happening. This is solved by having a construction manager. If you already have the help of an architect supervising the work, the role of the manager is not as relevant. But when this is not the case, it is essential to have this person.

The construction manager or foreman is usually a technical architect, belonging to the same construction company. But not involved in manual work. This person must be in charge of organizing all the workers involved in the renovation, as well as the delivery of materials, possible budget variations, and construction deadlines. He will also be the person who acts as an intermediary between the construction company and the owner during the construction period, keeping them up to date on the status of the work whenever necessary.

Apart from all this, if the contractor sends you a company dossier with work already done and even opinions from former clients, it is one more reason to trust that company.

Remember that if you are going to carry out a large and important renovation, it is best to have an architect who will advise you throughout the process. As well as take care of the design and supervise the work.

If you are thinking about renovating an office in Nairobi, do not hesitate to contact us and consult us.