Why Is Material Selection So Important?

According to Harvard Business Review research, work environments can increase or decrease employee productivity by up to 20%. Materials not only affect aesthetics but also impact:

• Air Quality: Eco-friendly materials help improve indoor air quality
• Acoustics: Sound-absorbing materials create quiet work environments
• Lighting: Reflective surfaces help optimize natural light
• Psychology: Colors and textures affect emotions and work motivation

• Advantages: Excellent noise absorption, warm feeling, easy individual tile replacement
• Recommendations: Choose carpets 6-8mm thick, Class 1 fire-resistant, anti-static
• Reputable Brands: Interface, Shaw Contract, Mohawk Group
• Cost: $25 - $65 per square meter

Premium Vinyl Flooring (LVT):

• Advantages: 100% waterproof, easy to clean, high durability (15-20 years)
• Recommendations: Minimum 0.5mm wear layer thickness for offices
• Brands: Tarkett, Armstrong, Gerflor
• Cost: $40 - $100 per square meter

Walls - Acoustic Control Elements

Acoustic Panels:

• Function: Sound absorption, echo reduction, creating quiet spaces
• Materials: Recycled polyester fiber, melamine foam, or acoustic fabric
• NRC Coefficient: 0.85 and above (NRC 1.0 is complete absorption)
• Installation: Can be wall-mounted or ceiling-hung, easily repositionable

Anti-dust and Antibacterial Paint:

• Technology: Nano paint with silver ions for bacteria elimination
• Benefits: Reduces 99.9% of bacteria, easy to clean, no static dust attraction
• Brands: Dulux Diamond, Nippon Odour-less, Jotun Essence

Ceiling - Light and Air Optimization

Fire-resistant Gypsum Boards:

• Standards: 120-minute fire resistance certification per international standards
• Thickness: 12.5mm for general areas, 15mm for critical zones
• Sound Insulation: Rw = 40-45 dB
• Installation Cost: $20 - $32 per square meter

Integrated LED Lighting System:

• Light Intensity: 300-500 lux for work areas
• Color Temperature: 4000K-5000K (natural white light)
• Energy Savings: 60-80% reduction compared to traditional fluorescent lights

• Complete Sound Isolation: Sound insulation coefficient Rw ≥ 50 dB
• Flexible Space: Easy layout changes
• Technology Integration: AV equipment and video conference support
• Adjustable Lighting: Suitable for presentations and recording

Tempered Glass Partitions

10mm Tempered Glass:

• Sound Insulation: 32-36 dB with single glass, 40-45 dB with double glass
• Safety: Breaks into small, non-injurious pieces
• Aesthetics: Creates spacious feeling, maximizes natural light
• Maintenance: Easy cleaning, scratch-resistant

Glass with Sound-dampening Film:

• PVB Technology: Polyvinyl butyral film between 2 glass layers
• Effectiveness: Improves sound insulation by 3-5 dB
• Cost: 30-40% higher than regular glass

Meeting Tables - Center of Discussion

Natural Wood Veneer:

• High Quality: Walnut, Oak, Cherry create luxurious feeling
• Surface Treatment: PU or UV coating for scratch and water protection
• Lifespan: 10-15 years with proper maintenance
• Cost: $100 - $250 per square meter

HPL (High Pressure Laminate):

• Advantages: High scratch resistance, waterproof, easy cleaning
• Colors: Diverse, can mimic natural wood grain
• Thickness: 0.8-1.2mm on moisture-resistant MDF base
• Cost: $50 - $100 per square meter

• High humidity from cooking and brewing
• Constantly changing temperatures
• Risk of liquid spills
• High hygiene requirements

Non-slip Ceramic Flooring

Technical Specifications:

• Anti-slip Coefficient: R10-R11 (per DIN 51130 standard)
• Water Absorption: ≤ 0.5% ensuring waterproofing
• Size: 30x30cm or 60x60cm for easy installation and replacement
• Colors: Neutral tones, less dirt-showing

Installation Techniques:

• 2-3mm joints ensuring water drainage
• Use specialized moisture-resistant adhesive
• Waterproofing treatment around sink areas

Moisture-resistant MDF Cabinets

Detailed Construction:

• MDF Core: 18-25mm thickness, density ≥ 680kg/m³
• Laminate Coating: 0.8mm thickness, moisture-resistant HPL
• ABS Edging: 2mm thick, preventing delamination
• Hardware: Blum/Hafele corrosion-resistant hinges

Optimal Design:

• Upper cabinets: 720mm height, 320mm depth
• Lower cabinets: 720mm height, 560mm depth
• Distance between upper and lower cabinets: 600-650mm

Quartz Stone Countertops

Superior Advantages:

• Hardness: 7/10 on Mohs scale, second only to diamond
• Antibacterial: Non-porous surface, non-absorbent
• Heat Resistance: Fire-resistant, withstands temperatures up to 150°C
• Color: Stable, no fading over time

Processing Steps:

1. CNC cutting to precise dimensions
2. 7-step surface polishing for perfect finish
3. Edge processing per design requirements
4. Installation with specialized Silicone adhesive

• First touchpoint with customers and partners
• Status representation and brand value display
• Impression creation: Determines 70% of success in first 7 seconds
• Multifunctional space: Reception, waiting, exhibition

Premium Natural Stone Flooring

Imported Granite:

• Origin: Brazil, India, Norway with high quality
• Thickness: 20-30mm ensuring long-term durability
• Surface Treatment: Mirror polish, waterproof
• Popular Colors: Black Galaxy, White Kashmir, Platinum Gray
• Cost: $100 - $315 per square meter

Premium Porcelain Tiles:

• Large Format: 80x80cm, 120x60cm reducing grout lines
• Water Absorption: ≤ 0.05% absolute waterproofing
• Scratch Resistance: Grade 5 per ASTM standard
• Cost: $50 - $150 per square meter

Multi-material Reception Desk

Solid Surface:

• Composition: Acrylic resin + natural minerals
• Advantages: Seamless construction, repairable when scratched
• Brands: Corian (DuPont), Hi-Macs (LG), Staron (Samsung)
• Shaping: Can be curved, create complex 3D forms

Combined Wood Veneer:

• Purpose: Create warm accent in modern space
• Location: Front desk face, decorative partitions
• Treatment: Fire-resistant PU coating, termite protection

• A1: Non-combustible (natural stone, ceramic tiles)
• A2: Non-combustible with minimal organic content (cement boards)
• B: Difficult to ignite (fire-treated wood, fire-resistant carpet)
• C: Moderate combustibility (some plastics)
• D, E, F: Easy ignition (not recommended for use)

Environmental Standards

LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design):

• Minimum 25% recycled content materials
• No harmful VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• Production within 800km radius to reduce carbon footprint

GREENGUARD Certification:

• Controls indoor chemical emissions
• Safe for children and sensitive individuals
• Improves indoor air quality

Main work areas (50% of total budget):

• Flooring: 30% of area budget
• Walls and ceiling: 40% of area budget
• Electrical and lighting systems: 30% of area budget

Meeting rooms (25% of total budget):

• Glass partitions: 40% of area budget
• Furniture: 35% of area budget
• AV systems: 25% of area budget

Support areas (25% of total budget):

• Pantry: 60% of support area budget
• Reception: 40% of support area budget

Cost Estimation per Square Meter

Grade A Office (Premium):

• Material costs: $375 - $625 per square meter
• Construction costs: $190 - $315 per square meter
• Total: $565 - $940 per square meter

Grade B Office (Mid-range):

• Material costs: $250 - $440 per square meter
• Construction costs: $125 - $225 per square meter
• Total: $375 - $665 per square meter

Conclusion

Selecting appropriate materials for each office area is a complex process requiring careful consideration of multiple factors: functionality, aesthetics, budget, and long-term maintainability. An office designed and constructed with suitable materials not only creates a positive work environment but also reflects the company's values and vision.

Proper investment in quality materials from the start will provide long-term benefits in operational costs, brand image, and employee satisfaction. Remember, an office is not just a workplace - it's the team's second home and the company's face to customers and partners.