WORK IN BEAU PLAN
Making a More Mindful Office Move
Depending on how it’s managed, uprooting your well-oiled team into a new environment could be totally transformative —or two steps backwards for your company.
Right after death and divorce, moving ranks third among life’s most stressful events. While an office move may not carry the same intensity as moving homes, it has the potential to throw workplace culture for a loop if carried out without care.
Growing pains – knowing when it’s time to go
The quintessential story of entrepreneurship often begins in a garage, where a humble start-up hustles to bring its vision to life. As the idea
gains traction, headcount grows. The makeshift desks and mismatched furniture no longer cut it – the garage office needs an upgrade.
While the garage is metaphorical, the need for more space is the most common driver behind a company’s decision to relocate.
However, moving entails much more than a physical change to bigger and better. Companies that overlook the emotional nuances of office relocation risk disrupting internal workflows and eroding a sense of stability for their employees. How can companies change their backdrop, without affecting the intricate play between team dynamics, productivity and morale?
Defining the unknowns
Relocating an office, especially to a distant place, can feel overwhelming for staff due to the sheer number of unknowns. What might seem like a straightforward task—changing someone’s place of work—could impact their day-to-day significantly. It could translate to longer commutes, children moving schools, or families moving across town. Even seemingly trivial changes like giving up a favourite lunchtime spot can feel frustrating.
This is why it is key for management to paint a detailed picture and timeline of what staff can expect. Being transparent is integral to their buy-in. When employees are left in the dark, worries ripple through the organisation, dampening morale. To mitigate this, consider these
strategies:
- Clearly articulate the vision and motivation for the move, highlighting all the benefits.
- Provide a platform for employees to share where their current needs are falling short, and how the new space might remedy this.
- Organise site visits to their future place of work to gather feedback on layout and design.
- Communicate key milestones, from the decision to relocate to the final move-in date.
- Conduct 1-1 meetings to help alleviate any logistics or commuting concerns.
How Attitude Hotels created buzz and festivity to ease moving apprehension
In the lead-up to their big move to The Strand, the HR team at Attitude focused on keeping spirits high. Practical updates were shared
with department heads, and key developments were communicated to staff through an internal newsletter. To add an element of surprise, the details of the office layout were kept under wraps – beyond knowing that everyone would share the same floor, employees had little insight into how their team spaces would be allocated.
On the big day, 125 excited Attitude employees walked through their new offices together, beaming with pride at the stunning space. They celebrated into the evening, and enjoyed a lively Secret Santa exchange the next morning. Evidently, moving in December comes with festive benefits.
Relocation as an opportunity for redesign
Office relocation is a great time for HR to take stock of different teams and their workflows, looking for ways to optimise them through design. Key questions to consider include:
- Does everybody need a permanent desk?
- Should teams that collaborate frequently be placed in open spaces with modular desks?
- Is there sufficient floor space for meeting rooms and social corners?
- Can sound-insulated quiet zones be added for focused, uninterrupted work?
- What aesthetic best aligns with our culture—modern minimalism or a relaxed, homely feel?
- How can we use elements like colours, lighting, furniture, artwork, and nature to create a calming, focused environment?
Something for everyone
Staying true to their ethos, Attitude designed an open-plan office that welcomes everyone (including executives) into a shared, collaborative
space. Quiet corners, coworking areas, and relaxation zones cater to the ever-changing demands of each work day. The meeting rooms are made to accommodate the new normal – supporting everything from Zoom calls to roundtable brainstorming sessions.
Beautifully designed, spacious interiors make even a walk to the restroom a surprisingly pleasant experience. But the crowning glory of the new Attitude offices has to be the breath-taking view from their rooftop: the serene Lake of Beau Plan, framed by an endless expanse of mountains. All of this coupled with being in a highly accessible region, close to all key business hubs and only a few steps away from the
main amenities, is sure to translate into a positive work experience.
When coming to work doesn’t feel like work
Gone are the days of grey cubicles and drab carpeting. Now more than ever, aesthetics matter – for attracting and retaining top talent. The office is a primary touchpoint for organisational culture. It communicates everything from internal hierarchy to environmental values.
Relocating to a “green” or eco-certified building makes a clear statement about company culture. These spaces demonstrate a commitment
to sustainability while prioritising employee wellbeing. Biophilic design elements, natural lighting, and ventilation—like those found at The
Strand—promote healthier workplaces and minimise environmental impact.
Beyond its solid eco-credentials however, The Strand’s place in the larger Beau Plan ecosystem is what truly enhances the work experience. Employees can start the day with a padel session, grab groceries at the adjacent mall, or enjoy a coffee break at a local café. Thoughtfully
integrated amenities like these are precisely what create employee stickiness.
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Written by Kavita Choksi for Beau Plan.
