AV technology professionals are often tasked with integrating their technologies into an office space that has already been designed, sometimes with little regard to how that design will facilitate or impede a successful AV system. Have you considered what your office could look like — and feel and sound like — if your AV integrators worked directly with your office designer? This article will give you a sneak peek at the possibilities.
If you were looking for a sign to give your office a refresh, here it is: did you know that great office design can boost employee productivity by up to 20%? There are many ways to add small upgrades, but today we’re going to talk about a total refresh, the kind that involves a designer — and hopefully, after reading this article, your AV technology partner as well. Here’s why it’s essential to involve AV tech professionals from the very beginning of your office design process.
It Brings Your Culture to Life
The field of media architecture is gaining popularity in corporate offices, and for good reason: it’s one of the best ways to create an interactive experience that brings your company culture to life. By working directly with office designers, your AV tech partner can strategically place video walls, interactive displays, and other features that seamlessly integrate with the rest of your space — and dramatically improve your workplace experience.
Multi-panel video walls are particularly impressive on a visual level, and they shouldn’t be relegated to just client-facing spaces. They can completely change the feeling of an office by displaying images meant to inspire or calm employees, from nature scenes to art to announcements. Internal meetings can also benefit from video walls: Remote participants can be displayed “on the big screen” to create more equity between participants, and the multi-panel format aids in displaying schedules, graphs, or screen-sharing so that all participants can see clearly.
Form Won’t Eclipse Function
Large, soaring office spaces are beautiful. But are they realistic when more and more companies are moving towards an open-concept, no-fixed-workspace format? In short, yes…if you’re careful to involve an AV professional from the design phase onwards.
An AV tech partner will provide solutions and workarounds to the beautiful architectural forms that are often detrimental to noise control. If you’re looking for an open-concept work area, hemmed in only by glass walls, we may suggest acoustic panels on the ceiling, a sound-masking system, or a combination of those or other features. We’re not here to say no — we’re here to work with you and build a workspace as useful as it is beautiful!
It Prevents Mistakes & Backtracking
Imagine that you’re moving along into the construction process, only to realize that you may need to make major changes because you don’t know where your network connectivity will happen. These sorts of missteps cost time and money and can be easily prevented by involving your AV partner from the beginning of the design process. We can provide consultation as to where you’ll need to add space, make adjustments or place power outlets and network connectivity — all before you begin construction.
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