Thoughtful design is everywhere - in the products we use, the offices where we work, and of course, theplaces we call home.  At my company, we focus on the finishing touch to any great office design: artwork. Here I want to tell a brief personal story, not about artwork, but about what happens when you underestimate the importance of seemingly small design details.

Last year, my wife and I had the good fortune of finding a rundown old house in a fantastic neighborhood.  As an entrepreneur, I, of course, saw nothing but opportunity, so we took on a complete gut renovation.  For me, this was a crash course in the importance of truly thoughtful design.

          As defined by BOMA, commercial building classifications indicate “the competitive ability of each building to attract similar types of tenants” by taking into consideration a range of key factors from infrastructure to finishes. To better compete within their market, property managers must identify the values of today’s office tenants and adapt to meet them as affordably as possible. For Class B properties, there are clear and effective ways to close the gap with Class A properties, without needing to make costly and time consuming physical renovations. To make that task a little simpler, I’ve compiled a list of  5 high value, low cost amenities here.

Get Art For Your Business For Free!!!

If your office needs artwork, there’s no doubt that headline grabbed your attention, and understandably so. Your first follow up question is probably along the lines of “How is that even possible?” Well, the answer revolves around a phrase that is sure to make most artists roll their eyes in frustration: “alternative gallery space.”Meaning, turn your office walls into a space for artists to show and sell their work.

At first, it might sound like a win-win; there are seemingly low upfront costs to the company, and it appears like a gesture of goodwill to the local art community. However, like any good click bait headline, the snappy sell of free art masks some rather disappointing realities.

We recently caught wind of a big expansion in Facebook’s new Cambridge, Massachusetts, office. At TurningArt, we’ve always had a lot of respect for the social media giant. Since its early days, the company has been committed to the arts and the concept that a great office has great artwork. A key part of Facebook’s recent office expansion, was the commission and acquisition of new artwork by local artists.   

Whether you’re snowed in by the fire or outdoors stringing lights on a palm tree, the holiday season has a special air about it that drifts through homes from coast to coast. It’s a time set aside for family and friends to celebrate, reminisce, reflect, and give, with delicious meals and an abundance of desserts peppered in between. It doesn’t matter if you’re busting out Michael Buble albums the day after Thanksgiving or finding yourself in an itchy handknit sweater dreaming of spring, it’s a time of year unlike any other, and we all know it well. To welcome it, we’re decking the blog with some our favorite TurningArt pieces inspired by the spirit of the season. Enjoy!

Manhattan is home to some of the most iconic holiday events and displays in the world. Near the top of that list are the tree and rink at Rockefeller Center, which Raymond Haddad captures in his photo “Tiny Skaters”. As a resident New Yorker, many of Raymond’s photos celebrate the character and vivacity of the city through both its crowning landmarks and unsung moments of beauty, which he carefully arranges with eye-popping color and contrasts. As an added bonus, the illustrious Prometheus statue in the rink is an icon in itself, completed by the prolific American sculptor Paul Manship, it is known to be the most photographed statue in all of New York City. 

Remember that time—maybe two, three, or even ten years ago—when you were totally jazzed about some new artwork your office bought? It was awesome and your employees loved it. Landscapes, abstracts, even some classic prints, maybe. The office felt fun, hip, and you were pretty proud of your space.

Benjamin Franklin famously remarked that there are only two things certain in life: death and taxes. Nowadays, it stands to reason that we should add moving to that list, with the average American relocating homes over 11 times in their life. Moving is increasingly popular amongst businesses as well, as relocation can mean accessing a new market and workforce, improving the quality of life for current employees, upgrading office facilities and furnishings, or making room in the budget. Whatever the reason, commercial lease turnovers are occurring, on average, every five years. For office and facilities managers in charge of overseeing these projects, the stress is very real. So without further ado, here are some Murphy’s Law-breaking tips to help strategize your next office move:

These days, companies that are either opening new offices or moving to new locations are increasingly opting for versatile, flexible workspaces. Take Red Bull’s new New York City office for an example. Despite having an exceptionally strong and recognizable brand, Red Bull chose to keep their space muted. Claiming to be “immune to workplace fads,” the company designed multiple spaces that can be repurposed at anytime at little to no cost. This will be especially important as the office grows.

When Chicago artist Nathan Vernau’s drawings are in a room, it’s as if they’re standing up with arms waving, shouting “hey, over here!” Their eye-catching appearance is, no doubt, the result of his striking color schemes. Like all elements in Nathan’s work, his bold palette choices are made by careful design, but upon taking a closer look, his drawings reveal a more subtle and self-effacing message.

The Millennial generation makes up over a third of today’s workforce, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2020 they will account for nearly half of it. Research around this tech-savvy, highly connected generation reveals that their attitudes and expectations around work fundamentally differ from preceding generations and, consequently, have shifted the way companies manage and engage with their employees. As a result, operational changes and new management practices are informing the way commercial interior designers and facilities managers create office spaces and choose office artwork.