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An office is generally a room or other area where administrative work is done, but may also denote a position within an organization with specific duties attached to it (see officer, office-holder, official); the latter is in fact an earlier usage, office as place originally referring to the location of one's duty. When used as an adjective, the term "office" may refer to business-related tasks. In legal writing, a company or organization has offices in any place that it has an official presence, even if that presence consists of, for example, a storage silo rather than an office.

An office is an architectural and design phenomenon; whether it is a small office such as a bench in the corner of a small business of extremely small size (see small office/home office), through entire floors of buildings, up to and including massive buildings dedicated entirely to one company. In modern terms an office usually refers to the location where white-collar workers are employed.

The structure and shape of the office is impacted by both management thought as well as construction materials and may or may not have walls or barriers. The word stems from the Latin officium, and its equivalents in various, mainly romance, languages. An officium was not necessarily a place, but rather an often mobile 'bureau' in the sense of a human staff or even the abstract notion of a formal position, such as a magistrature. The relatively elaborate Roman bureaucracy would not be equaled for centuries in the West after the fall of Rome, even partially reverting to illiteracy, while the East preserved a more sophisticated administrative culture, both under Byzantium and under Islam.

Offices in classical antiquity were often part of a palace complex or a large temple. There was usually a room where scrolls were kept and scribes did their work. Ancient texts mentioning the work of scribes allude to the existence of such "offices". These rooms are sometimes called "libraries" by some archaeologists and the general press because one often associates scrolls with literature. In fact they were true offices since the scrolls were meant for record keeping and other management functions such as treaties and edicts, and not for writing or keeping poetry or other works of fiction.

The High Middle Ages (10001300) saw the rise of the medieval chancery, which was usually the place where most government letters were written and where laws were copied in the administration of a kingdom. The rooms of the chancery often had walls full of pigeonholes, constructed to hold rolled up pieces of parchment for safekeeping or ready reference, a precursor to the book shelf. The introduction of printing during the Renaissance did not change these early government offices much.

Pre-industrial illustrations such as paintings or tapestries often show us personalities or eponyms in their private offices, handling record keeping books or writing on scrolls of parchment. All kinds of writings seemed to be mixed in these early forms of offices. Before the invention of the printing press and its distribution there was often a very thin line between a private office and a private library since books were read or written in the same space at the same desk or table, and general accounting and personal or private letters were also done there.

It was during the 13th century that the English form of the word first appeared when referring to a position involving duties (ex. the office of the ...). Geoffrey Chaucer appears to have first used the word in 1395 to mean a place where business is transacted in The Canterbury Tales.

As mercantilism became the dominant economic theory of the Renaissance, merchants tended to conduct their business in the same buildings, which might include retail sales, warehousing and clerical work. During the 15th century, population density in many cities reached the point where stand-alone buildings were used by merchants to conduct their business, and there was a developing a distinction between church, government/military and commerce uses for buildings.[1]

The Industrial Revolution (18th and 19th century) saw the rise of banking, railroads, insurance, retailing, oil, and the telegraph industries. To transact business, an increasing large number of clerks were needed to handle order-processing, accounting, and file documents, with increasingly specialized office space required to house these activities. Most of the desks of the era were top heavy with paper storage bins extending above the desk-work area, giving the appearance of a cubicle and offering the workers some degree of privacy.

The relative high price of land in the central core of cities lead to the first multi-story buildings, which were limited to about 10 stories until the use of iron and steel allowed for higher structures. The invention of the safety elevator in 1852 by Elisha Otis saw the rapid escalation upward of buildings.[1] By the end of the 19th century, larger office buildings frequently contained large glass atriums to allow light into the complex and improve air circulation.

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Office - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

by Brian Conway The Planning Site, LLC

Last updated: 07-22-2010

In the words of office design consultant and author Francis Duffy, "The office building is one of the great icons of the twentieth century. Office towers dominate the skylines of cities in every continent [As] the most visible index of economic activity, of social, technological, and financial progress, they have come to symbolize much of what this century has been about."

This is true because the office building is the most tangible reflection of a profound change in employment patterns that has occurred over the last one hundred years. In present-day America, northern Europe, and Japan, at least 50 percent of the working population is employed in office settings as compared to 5 percent of the population at the beginning of the 20th century.

Federal BuildingOakland, CA (Courtesy of Kaplan McLaughlin Diaz )

Interestingly, the life-cycle cost distribution for a typical service organization is about 3 to 4 percent for the facility, 4 percent for operations, 1 percent for furniture, and 90 to 91 percent for salaries. As such, if the office structure can leverage the 3 to 4 percent expenditure on facilities to improve the productivity of the workplace, it can have a very dramatic effect on personnel contributions representing the 90 to 91 percent of the service organization's costs.

To accomplish this impact, the buildings must benefit from an integrated design approach that focuses on meeting a list of objectives. Through integrated design, a new generation of high-performance office buildings is beginning to emerge that offers owners and users increased worker satisfaction and productivity, improved health, greater flexibility, and enhanced energy and environmental performance. Typically, these projects apply life-cycle analysis to optimize initial investments in architectural design, systems selection, and building construction.

An office building must have flexible and technologically-advanced working environments that are safe, healthy, comfortable, durable, aesthetically-pleasing, and accessible. It must be able to accommodate the specific space and equipment needs of the tenant. Special attention should be made to the selection of interior finishes and art installations, particularly in entry spaces, conference rooms and other areas with public access.

An office building incorporates a number of space types to meet the needs of staff and visitors. These may include:

Typical features of Office Buildings include the list of applicable design objectives elements as outlined below. For a complete list and definitions of the design objectives within the context of whole building design, click on the titles below.

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Office Building | Whole Building Design Guide

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Office Building: A commercial building used primarily for business administrative operations. Office building operations are frequently co-located with other business functions, such as warehousing, retail, call centers or data centers or manufacturing. These administrative facilities frequently serve as corporate headquarters or business centers, and as such must meet strict aesthetic as well as functional design requirements.

The term "office building" covers a wide range of commercial facilities. In many cases, these buildings serve as corporate or regional headquarters - like the Pizza Inn Corporate Headquarters or the American Paint Horse Association building. These administrative facilities require a polished, professional finish-out to ensure the building presents the right image for the tenant. Many office buildings have very specific requirements; for example, the LTV Building required extensive security features and standards to ensure the protection of classified information, and Corinthian College needed a particular interior design to support highly automated classrooms. In other cases, the offices are built into the same structure as other functions, as in the case of the Col-Met Spray Booths or the Mary Kay Cosmetics Office / Warehouse. Regardless the type of administrative building needed, Bob Moore Construction has extensive experience in building office construction projects that meet the tenant's specific needs.

If you are interested in building an office building or would like more information, please contact Mark McLeod, Kyle Whitesell or Larry Knox at (817)640-1200. Or if you prefer, contact us online with our contact form.

Below is a list of office construction projects by Bob Moore Construction. Other types of buildings, including call centers, warehouses, distribution centers, industrial buildings, retail stores, flex / tech buildings, data centers and manufacturing facilities are listed on separate pages.

Pioneer 360 Business Center Arlington, Texas 1,164,000 SF Owner / Developer : Flaherty Development Role : General Contractor Building Type : Warehouse / Distribution Center / Flex / Tech / Office Architect : Alliance Architects

Pinnacle Park Phase I and II Dallas, Texas 955,000 SF Owner / Developer : Argent Property Company Role : General Contractor Building Type : Office / Warehouse Architect : Pross Design Group

First Garland Business Center I & II Garland, Texas 944,000 SF Owner / Developer : First Industrial Trust Role : Design / Build Contractor Building Type : Office / Warehouse Architect : Hardy McCullah/MLM Architects, Inc.

Frankford Trade Center Building VI Carrollton, Texas 659,000 SF Owner / Developer : Argent Property Company Role : General Contractor Building Type : Office / Warehouse Architect : Pross Design Group

Frankford Trade Center Building VII Carrollton, Texas 659,000 SF Owner / Developer : Argent Property Company Role : General Contractor Building Type : Office / Warehouse Architect : Pross Design Group

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Office Building Construction Projects - General Contractor Bob ...

Sunrooms have come a long way from the glassed-in porches of the 1960s. Todays versions are full-fledged year-round rooms featuring cathedral ceilings, skylights, energy-efficient windows, tile flooring, heat, and air conditioning.

Also known as Florida rooms, sun parlors and solariums, sunroom additionsbring the outdoors inside but without the bugs and bad weather. As a result, they usually become the familys favorite hangout spot, says Atlanta architect Rick Goldstein. Heres how to evaluate whether a sunroom addition fits your house and your budget:

Whats a sunroom?

The defining feature of a sunroom is the vast amount of glass. Some versions, known as solariums and conservatories, consist of walls and a roof built entirely of windows that are held together by a strong cage of metal, wood, or vinyl.

But the traditional sunroom is built like any other addition using standard construction techniques and a roof that matches the rest of the house just with a lot more windows. A sunroom usually has 20 or more windows, plus skylights.

How much will it cost?

A 200-square-foot sunroom addition, including footings and slab-on-grade foundation, post-and-beam construction thats exposed on the interior, efficient windows, 10 operable skylights, a tile floor, window shades, and a ceiling fan costs an average of $72,179 according to Remodeling magazines 2013 Cost vs. Value Report. You can expect to get about $33,529 of that investment (46.5%) back at resale, according to the study.

Youll need to set aside at least 12 weeks for this project, plus time for planning, and will need the help of an architect or a design-build contractor to create a room that ties in well with the houses style, flow, and structure.

As with any addition, youll need a building permit from the town and youll need to follow zoning rules about how closely you can build toward property lines, how big your home can become, and other restrictions.

Where should it go?

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Sunroom Addition Evaluation | Sunroom Addition Home Value ...

Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home. It is used for cooking, entertaining guests, intimate conversations, and a bonding area. Whatever your lifestyle is and whatever your main purpose is for your kitchen, the goal for any kitchen remodeling project and for your kitchen remodelers is to make your kitchen a place where you want to spend time. The challenge of your Pennsylvania home remodeling contractor is to present the best design ideas, the longest lasting appliances and products, and be up to date on the latest kitchen trends so you can make the most informed decision possible.

If you choose us as your kitchen remodeling contractor and design team for your remodeling project, we will provide a comprehensive list of options for your kitchen from custom cabinetry down to its decorative hardware. Whatever your design style is, traditional, modern, or contemporary, it is our job as your remodeling contractor to present you all styles and create a beautiful kitchen. From counter tops to flooring to lighting to windows, our kitchen remodelers will find the right design to suit your taste and lifestyle. With every Pennsylvania kitchen remodeling experience, we bring:

Remodeling your kitchen is not an easy task because of the multitude of decisions that go into it. If you choose us as your remodeling contractor, we will make your decision as easy as possible by only presenting you with the best choices. When we meet you, we will estimate your costs and find the right style for your budget. Let us inspire you to help design the kitchen of your dreams.

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Kitchen Remodeling, Kitchen Remodelers, Remodeling Contractor ...

Hansons stands behind the work we do; that is why we spare no expense in guaranteeing quality installation. The best product in the world will not do its job, unless it is installed properly. Cheap, shoddy work is common in the siding industry, but at Hansons, you will get top quality products installed as they are meant to be, all at a low price. We guarantee our work in writing!

The work surface is inspected prior to starting; any loose boards or nails are secured to prevent denting and creasing. The underlying insulating layers you have selected are then installed, and finally, our Guardian siding and trim is artfully applied to your home.

We caulk and seal all of our siding and trim with the best product on the market, Solar Seal a terpolymer rubber sealant), for maximum flexibility and durability. The work area is then cleaned and all job debris is hauled away.

We offer an amazing array of colors and styles, all designed to give your home a complete makeover, overnight. Hansons vinyl siding is special because it gives your home a sleek, stylish look that will get people talking. We can make your dream look a reality, at the cheapest prices around!

Since 1988, Hansons has been making homeowners like you happy with our top grade siding products. Thats over 25 years of success! We use a simple but effective method: We offer the best vinyl siding products in the business at the cheapest prices around and we stand behind all our work with the strongest warranties possible.

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Vinyl Siding. Best low price replacement vinyl siding & trim

Free Roof Estimates Rensselaer,IN 219-866-9564
RB Contracting is a full service roofing replacement and roof repair contractor serving Rensselaer, Indiana and the surrounding area. RB Contracting also pro...

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With our furnace blower replacement guide, you can do it yourself and save. The typical service call for a hvac technician to do this would cost several hundred dollars but you can save most of that money by doing it yourself. Our guide will walk you through the process of diagnosis, motor selection, and replacement.

**NOTE** ONLY YOU CAN ASSESS YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM THIS TASK. THIS IS A GUIDE AND CANNOT PROVIDE ALL THE DETAILS FOR EVERY SITUATION.

Most modern furnaces use a direct drive blower motor. Therefore this guide is for that type of furnace blower. The testing and diagnosis would be the same for a belt drive blower but the replacement process would be different.

**NOTE** ONLY YOU CAN ASSESS YOUR ABILITY TO PERFORM THIS TASK. THIS IS A GUIDE AND CANNOT PROVIDE ALL THE DETAILS FOR EVERY SITUATION.

Most modern furnaces use a direct drive blower motor. Therefore this guide is for that type of furnace blower. The testing and diagnosis would be the same for a belt drive blower but the replacement process would be different.

If you suspect your motor is bad, you should check to make sure before you replace it. Begin diagnosis by shutting off the power to the furnace. Then, try to spin the blower by hand.

If it will not spin freely, check to see if it has oil ports on the blower. If it has oil ports, you should add a few drops of oil to see if it helps the motor to spin freely. If there are no ports or it still does not spin freely after adding oil, the motor should be replaced.

If the blower spins freely, feel the motor to see if it is hot. If the motor is hot to the touch, allow it to cool. Check all the wire connections to ensure they are tight, check the run capacitor and replace it as necessary.

Then you can check to see if the motor works properly. Turn the power back on and turn the fan on at the thermostat. If the blower does not start or fails to get up to full speed, shut the power back off to the unit and continue with furnace blower replacement.

To begin the removal of the old motor, you should write down the motor wire colors and where they are connected. Then you can disconnect them. On newer furnaces they will be connected to the furnace control board by spade connectors. Most older furnaces have a wiring control box with a relay and the wire connections.

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Furnace Blower Replacement, A Homeowner's Guide

Window cleaning, or window washing, is the cleaning of architectural glass used for structural, lighting, or decorative purposes.

Commercial work is contracted variously from in-person transactions for cash or barter, to formal tender processes. Regulations, licensing, technique, equipment and compensation vary nationally and regionally.

Chamois is used to loosen and remove dirt, followed by a buffing with cheesecloth, or scrim.

Generally, chemicals are added to water, and a device such as a brush or cloth-covered handle is dipped into the resulting solution and used to scrub glass. A squeegee is then used to sluice dirt and water mixture from glass.

Any of a variety of types of telescopic poles, fitted at the upper end with a brush and water jets, fed either from vehicle-borne tanks of deionised water or by on-site production of deionised water using a domestic or commercial water outlet.

Where glass is found are window cleaners, and methods of access and equipment related to both access and cleaning vary nationally and regionally.

Ladders ranging in size from a single step to the extent (and beyond) of local regulations are used to access windows for cleaning purposes.

Not to be confused with suspended scaffolding, these are temporary work platforms typically erected from a lower level to gain access at height.

Machines variously configured and powered, designed to deliver workers to otherwise inaccessible areas.[1]

Not to be confused with supported scaffolding. Devices designed for ascent and/or descent via rope (wire or fiber [synthetic or natural]) by mechanical or manual means.

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Window cleaner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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