The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic permanently changed the way Americans work. The forceful imposition of work-from-home restrictions has now become something employees prefer because of the convenience. A whopping 85 percent of people prefer continuing remote work despite the easing of restrictions. Continue reading “New Trends in Office Buildouts”
Category: Commercial Real Estate
How Upgrading Your Windows Can Make Your Home More Comfortable
Most of the time, we tend to focus on our bathrooms and kitchens during home renovations. This is because these are considered key spaces in a house, and upgrades in these areas usually add value to it. Continue reading “How Upgrading Your Windows Can Make Your Home More Comfortable”
Will the New Samsung Semiconductor Plant in Taylor Affect Austin Real Estate Trends?
Last month, Samsung Electronics announced plans to build a new $17 billion site in Taylor, Texas. Samsung will open their newest semiconductor fabrication plant as part of its largest-ever investment in the US.
Samsung’s new location will be more than 5 million square meters and is expected to strengthen the value of Austin’s already-increasing property values. Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, announced, “Samsung’s new semiconductor manufacturing facility in Taylor will bring countless opportunities for hardworking Central Texans.”
Samsung’s new factory is expected to improve the domestic supply chain of logic chips used in mobile devices, 5G technology, high-performance computing (HPC) units, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. The project is set to break ground in early 2022, with completion slated for late 2024. The Taylor investment includes buildings, property improvements, machinery and equipment, and community participation commitments. With the addition of this facility, Samsung’s total investment in the US will exceed $47 billion since 1978.
After reviewing possible locations in the US, Samsung’s decision to build in Texas was based on several local factors, including the semiconductor ecosystem, infrastructure stability, and government support. Samsung favored the location’s proximity to their existing manufacturing site in nearby Austin, which is also slated for a significant expansion investment next year.
Samsung’s Taylor announcement is expected to create over 2,000 high-tech jobs and thousands of supporting jobs in the area. As part of its co-investment in the community, Samsung has committed financial support for the new Samsung Skills Center within the Taylor Independent School District. This innovative training program will provide students with career preparation in technology, while providing internships and employment opportunities at Samsung’s local production facilities.
Already on-target for another record-breaking year in residential home sale average prices, Austin and the surrounding area will remain a hot market for the foreseeable future. With the combination of population influx and low mortgage rates, the trend of double-digit property value growth seen in fall 2021 year-over-year sales is expected to continue.
Resources:
https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/austin-real-estate-market/
Incorporating Workspaces in Your New or Renovated Home
Since the pandemic, many businesses around the world have shifted to work-from-home or hybrid models where workers can work both at home and in the office. As this trend becomes more common, many homeowners are incorporating larger workspaces and home offices within their homes.
Home offices—formerly known as studies—are not new. New home buyers are also looking for houses that are larger and more planned so that they can work from home more comfortably without being distracted.
This blog post will discuss why you should incorporate a workspace in your floor plan when building your new home or renovating your old home.
Think About the Space
Now is the time to plan. Think about what you want in your workspace in terms of needs, wants, and desires. Sure, it’d be cool to have a full wall projector screen computer monitor, but is that more important than built-in bookshelves or file cabinets? Think about how you work and what kind of amenities you want within arm’s reach. Certainly, you need desk space with enough room for a chair. A coffee bar would be cool and a small guest bathroom close by would make things more convenient. If you like to work out, make room for a small gym or your Peloton. Now is the time to plan for these extras.
Location, Location, Location
Where you put your workspace is as important as what you put into it. Can you put it close to the kitchen so that you can easily get up and grab a snack during your breaks throughout the day? Having it close to the garage means you’re seconds instead of minutes from jumping into your car to drive to a quick meeting. Should it be overlooking the backyard pool so that you can keep an eye on the kids while they swim during weekends and summer breaks? Having your office near the den or media room may cause a problem when family members are watching a movie or playing video games in the next room. So it’s probably best to locate it far from there.
It’s in Demand
Research shows that most home buyers are now looking for homes that have an in-built workspace too. This isn’t because it’s simply a new trend in housing, but also because most professional adults need them.
If you’re not sure how to go about incorporating a workspace in your home’s floor plan and design, consider hiring the professional designers and builders at Freccia Group. They can show you the latest trends and help you build and situate the best possible workspace within your home.
Hire Experienced Remodeling Contractors in Austin, TX
Our team of interior designers and builders know how to execute on your ideas and help you stay within budget. Trust us for reliable home renovation in Austin, Round Rock, or Cedar Park, TX.
Different Ways Colors Impact Office Workspaces
Research shows that the colors around us can influence our mood, energy levels, and mental health. That’s why smart companies spend so much time choosing the right colors for their brand identities. Studies show that humans react emotionally to different colors and each color creates a physiological response within our brains, whether it’s one leaning toward anger, empathy, caring, relaxation, or fun.
Continue reading “Different Ways Colors Impact Office Workspaces”
Reimagining the New Office Space Post Pandemic
Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing guidelines, the emphasis in workplace design was on helping people thrive and be more productive at work. Post pandemic, the focus of workplace design has shifted somewhat to accommodate creativity and productivity still, but also the evolving way people are working now.
Let’s take a look at some new planning and design principles that are transforming office spaces as we know them.
Easy and Breezy
According to public health officials, ventilation is the key to preventing the spread of infectious particles. Even cracking open a small window can dilute their concentration and bring in fresh air. That said, most American buildings require tight seals to maximize energy efficiency. Already, engineers are looking into window designs that create a mechanical heat-exchange system, allowing outside air to be optimized for temperature and filtered for air quality as it enters the building.
More Handwashing Stations
Frequent handwashing has been cited as the easiest way to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. Many office buildings will now have hand sanitizer dispensers and contained handwashing stations installed permanently and seamlessly in various areas, especially shared spaces and high-traffic areas. This will allow employees and visitors to ensure that their hands remain germ-free without disrupting regular activities.
Open Office Plans
Open plan facilities with exposed airflow systems are not new, but variations of them may be. Instead of hard-walled rooms where you likely come in contact with more surfaces, large open spaces with desks placed at a safe distance from each other are trending. Open spaces serve a few purposes:
- To create more collaboration among people within a larger area. Opens spaces foster interaction and chance encounters.
- Open concepts allow air to flow better so that HVAC systems work more efficiently.
- Open concepts allow natural light to reach more area, cutting down on electricity usage. These spaces also allow for more greenery inside offices that can both clean the air and foster a friendlier atmosphere.
Less Surface Contact
Along with fewer doors, you can also expect doors to be equipped with sensors that slide open when someone approaches them. This can help minimize contact with door handles. To further reduce surface contact, workplaces will likely adopt a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model, where employees bring their own laptops instead of working on office PCs.
Improve your office space with a commercial building contractor in Round Rock, Texas. If you own a commercial office property that needs post-pandemic upgrades, reach out to the design, construction, and development experts at Freccia Group.
Whether you’re looking to develop a new property or improve an existing office facility with repairs and upgrades, our team has deep experience in every aspect of commercial construction.
Call (512) 982-9553 to discuss your commercial construction management needs or browse our portfolio to view prior and ongoing projects.
Remodeling Commercial Workspaces to Maximize Productivity
Studies have shown that workspaces can either aid or hinder productivity. Now that the country is emerging from COVID-19 restrictions and anticipating getting back to the office, business owners are focusing on their company’s workspaces. They know that an outdated office can stifle creativity, comfort, and productivity. Continue reading “Remodeling Commercial Workspaces to Maximize Productivity”
3 Modern Must-Haves for Your Older Home
Not all old residential properties are outdated. Some homes age like wine with a design that only gets better with time. That’s precisely why modern homeowners prefer a vintage home as a fresh change from the modern, urban architecture that they see every day at work.
Vintage homes have a promising appeal of grandeur and class, and only an old home can afford to exude that look. That said, older constructions and designs do have flaws that set in with time like fine lines on a pretty face. It mars the beauty of an otherwise gorgeous house and that’s why you need home remodeling experts in Round Rock, TX to renovate the design to accommodate modern needs without ruining the style. Here are some must-haves for older homes.
Insulated Windows
Climate change is a real issue and homeowners need to include weather-proofing solutions in their home designs to keep their living space comfortable. Rough winds during cold weather can find a way to enter the house and make the home uncomfortably chilly despite central heating. This not only makes you shiver but also drives up the energy bills because your HVAC systems go in overdrive to maintain the indoor climate. This happens because older wooden window frames may have warped over time and created gaps. You can avoid all that with perfectly insulated windows and doors to prevent heat loss. Thermal breaks allow air leaks but modern window frames eliminate such inefficiencies.
Upgraded Glass Panes
Dual-paneled glass is becoming the most-demanded feature in modern homes. The double layering of glass in windows allows the vacuum in between to prevent conduction. This serves well during harsh weather conditions, be it hot summers or cold winters. The air-conditioning won’t lose its effect through the windows and neither would the solar heat find a way in through the clear glass. Similarly, it works equally well during winters to prevent heat loss through conduction. If you prefer older home designs, don’t compromise on the windows; get new ones to maintain your comfort level at home.
Natural Light Solutions
It’s only now that architects have devised a solution for utilizing natural light to the homeowner’s benefit. Yes, we’re talking about skylights! This is an innovative window design that allows you to channel the sunlight indoors through the roof and brighten up the place. In cities like Round Rock where the sun shines on 204/365 days, you could really use this feature to highlight every corner in your new vintage home.
We evaluate older residential properties and put our home remodeling experts on the job to bring modern additions in the design for maximum comfort and convenience.
At Freccia Group, we have a design and construction team in place that deals with residential renovation projects in Round Rock, TX.
Call us at (512) 410-1342 if you have a property sell or want to invest in one.