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The commercial office landscape is ever evolving. Keeping up to date on the best solutions for the workplace can feel overwhelming. That is why we

5 Tips to create a welcoming environment for all ages.   It is no secret that the workplace represents a more diverse workforce than ever before.

Today’s companies are constantly working on attracting and retaining talent. They offer signing bonuses, promotions, flexible work schedules, on-site fitness centers, and more. While these

For years, American workers have heard the term “work-life balance”. The concept paints the ideal of each worker’s ability to find a state of equilibrium

Say goodbye to the traditional, oversized conference room! Discover how to a dynamic conference room that works for every meeting and every personality.  Is your large

In today’s installment of our thought starter series, we will examine outdoor spaces that attract talent. Making the right hiring decisions and finding enticing top

In the latest installment of our thought starter series we will go through the impact your reception space can have on your organization. From colors

Our next installment of thought starters will cover training and classrooms for active learning. We will showcase spaces that support flexibility, collaboration, focus work, and

Today our series continues with Work Cafés. We will peruse work cafe renderings of and see how they support different activities. Then we will explore

This week we are focusing on how to create collaboration spaces that fit what teams need to achieve success. We walk thought renderings of different

Today we are continuing our series showcasing ways to create office and outdoor setting to help your organization function at its best. Today we are

We are excited to publish a new series of articles that will help you discover office and outdoor spaces that are perfect for your organization.

We recently read a fantastic breakdown of hybrid work stats and what companies are planning in CBRE’s 2024 Americas Office Occupier Sentiment Survey. You can

Gaming at work can get a bad reputation — conjuring up images of laziness, isolation or distractions. But the Harvard Business Review, CNBC and the

When Jill Manlove and Whitney Bachman of Morgan Marie Design began their journey designing the new Dutch Bros office space, they knew this project would

Oasis Academy in Fallon, Nevada is making a difference in its community by constructing a new high school campus. This public charter school opened its

Idaho Novus Classical Academy (INCA) is a new public charter school in the Eagle, Idaho foothills. Having opened its doors to K-6th graders for the

If you are in search of the perfect technology for your commercial, healthcare, government, or educational space, we have what you need. Peruse our Q4

My kids like the show “Stranger Things.” It is an adventure/supernatural TV series set in the 80s thatfollows a friend group. My kids like to

Employee burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged or excessive stress. It’s characterized by feelings of cynicism, detachment, and

The rise of remote and hybrid work combined with a changing economy has transformed how businesses operate, particularly regarding office space. With more employees working

In today’s work environment, many employees, whether in offices or working remotely, spend most of their day seated. While it might seem comfortable, prolonged sitting

From September 30th – October 18th (3 weeks) Create Spaces will be hosting an education pop up in its Boise showroom. At this pop up

Welcome to Create Spaces, where we excel in office furniture design and implementation for your office environment. As one of the leading commercial office furniture

Video conferencing is a technology that allows individuals or groups to communicate and interact in real-time using audio and video transmission over the Internet. It

In today’s office environments where footprints continue to shrink, distractions are an ever-present challenge. Despite the modern advancements designed to enhance productivity, employees often find

In today’s corporate world, desk jobs are the norm, often requiring long hours of sedentary work. This lifestyle, while sometimes unavoidable, poses significant health risks.

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Why access to privacy solutions is critical in today’s workplace. Hybrid work is taxing our brains in new ways. We’re having to think ahead and

A noticeable trend has taken hold of the business world. According to a recent study, 88% of businesses require employees to be in the office

When you work in an industry tied so closely to wood and steel, designing your new building in the “Mountain Modern/ Industrial” style is the

In 2015, Chelsea Lavell was six weeks into her maternity leave with her first baby and got a call that would change her career forever.

According to recent findings conducted by Steelcase, there is a significant difference between a leader’s work experience and their employee’s. With so much recent workplace

Thirty years ago, Bluberi was a small company in Drummondville, Quebec creating games for slot machines. Today, it is a complete slot machine manufacturer and

Message From The President A gap exists between leaders’ perceived well-being at work and employees’ well-being. According to the recent Steelcase work study, leaders are

Traditional meeting rooms have served businesses well, but it is time to move to modern hybrid spaces. Discover more in this comparison of the two.

Having an up-to-date AV system is essential to your business’s long-term success. Discover when and why you should modernize your business’s AV system.

Designers, leaders and even inclusive design advocates often ask, “How do we balance everyone’s needs when they are very different?” Or, “Who do we listen to when there are competing needs?” These questions come up often because what might support an equitable experience for one group, may also create challenges for another.

Adding new furniture is a great way to refresh your firm, but you may wonder about the schedule. Learn how long it takes to procure commercial office furniture.

In the fast-paced world of modern business, seamless and efficient communication is crucial for success. As technology continues to evolve, businesses increasingly rely on a

Explore the advantages and disadvantages of open office layouts to help you decide if they are the right choice for your own business environment.

In the basement of the BRS Architects office, there is a wall of tightly wound plan sets. They are set stacked atop each other with

Explore the revolution of small meetings with huddle room AV solutions, maximizing efficiency, collaboration, and communication in modern offices.

How do you decommission 190,000 square feet of office space under a time constraint and move into a new building without disrupting work efficiency? A

Choosing the right commercial AV system is vital. Here are three questions to ask to ensure you make an informed decision that meets your business needs.

Discover how investing in quality office furniture can boost productivity, enhance employee well-being, and form a creative commercial environment.

In 1976, two industrious engineers established POWER Engineers. It is an engineering and environmental consulting firm who team together to design integrated, multidiscipline solutions for

Recently we helped a customer move to a beautiful new corporate headquarters location. As part of the deal we agreed to help them recycle their

Creating a productive office space goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about crafting an environment that fosters creativity, efficiency, and well-being.

Two exciting announcements to share today:  Merging of two great organizations  Last October (2023) OEC acquired Machabee Office Environments—. The merger creates a larger company

Imagine an office space that puts you at ease and makes you feel valued, productive and engaged from entry to exit. Now consider someone very

Regardless of the grade level, subject matter or class size, today’s best learning spaces are designed for participative, active and engaging learning experiences that help

If machines can learn, what future value do people bring in a time of rapid advances in AI? It’s about developing uniquely human skills so

The earlier you bring design, facilities and IT together to consider how furniture, lights, video and audio will intersect, the more seamless the hybrid collaboration

1. An open office isn’t always the best place to work – particularly now that many people take virtual calls throughout the day. 2. Offer

1. People making more intentional decisions about when and why they go to the office expect a fundamentally new experience. It’s not so much about

Homes are now part of the ecosystem of work: 75% of people have a dedicated workspace at home. People have learned how important a high-functioning

A single room can do a lot for an organization. Whether that is reinforcing company culture or creating a sense of trust with clients. Today

Audiovisual (AV) technology is stepping into a significant role in helping create workplaces that prioritize employee wellbeing. These technologies are enhancing comfort, communication, and the

In 2019, Dan McKnight was half-retired from the construction industry and needed something to do. His wife Andrea was also looking to get out of

OEC is pleased to announce it has joined forces with Machabee Office Environments. The merger will increase the OEC footprint to offer interior furniture and

Lessons from Silverwood Theme Park Destination Location in the Woods of Northern Idaho?  Last year almost a million people traveled to a remote area in

8 Insights and ideas for a new era of work. Small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) are crucial to the economy as they make up a

1. Color is a key ingredient to creating an inviting office space. Even a subtle change can make a big difference. 2. Color is powerful.

How Cradlepoint unlocked the secret (embracing flexibility) to creating a place employees want to work Since the beginning of the pandemic, the phrase “hybrid work”

Message from the President Last month I gave a brief clinic on financial freedom that focused on getting out of debt. The basic concept is

What different types of conference rooms are there?  Space and technology have worked together for years to meet an organization’s needs. Technology supports a space

What video conferencing uses are worth the investment?   This is the question organizations worldwide have been asking themselves for years. Video conferencing is a shift

Benefits of Video Conferencing  Many people think video conferencing was merely an effect of COVID-19. In reality, it has been around since the 1980s, with

The best video conferencing platform depends on your business’s specific needs. The usage amount and features needed for remote meetings range. The simplest solution is

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, video conferencing has become an indispensable tool for communication and collaboration. With the advent of globalization, remote work, and

Businesses around the world are constantly asking themselves the question, “How do I communicate better with my employees and my customers?” Businesses aren’t alone in

In recent years, video conferencing has become an integral part of our lives, revolutionizing our communication and collaboration. With the global pandemic forcing organizations and

What is the history of video conferencing in business?   Since the late 1960’s there have been countless iterations of video conferencing solutions. The Picturephone from

Insights and ideas to improve the healthcare experience The pandemic proved to be an extreme pressure test on the entire healthcare system. While clinicians performed

The temperatures are rising, and summer events are popping up everywhere. From concerts and rodeos to wine tastings and corporate events, each offer something special.

Insights and ideas for a new era of work Gen Z (born 1997-2012), the youngest generation in the workplace now, is growing up in a

Namebrand is a promotional product company that is doing things differently. Since its establishment in 2014, Namebrand has evolved from a promotional product company to

Responsibilities of the BSU Capital Planning and Space Management Team       Boise State University is continually expanding, and with that comes a plethora of logistics

And Its Effects on Employee Privacy, Productivity, + Health As employees head back to the office for the first time in years, they bring expectations

There is nothing like biting into a cut of high-quality, perfectly cooked steak. Thanks to locally owned company Agri Beef, more and more people are

Half of all meetings these days are spent on video. Employees want to work and hold meetings in spaces where they look better, sound better,

Whether or not you have ever heard the term “digital signage,” chances are you have seen it in use. In today’s fast-paced environment, companies, schools,

If you are struggling to decide which video conferencing system to standardize on, we can help. Right now, the two most prominent video conferencing solutions

BR Wealth Management Most of the time, when wealth management is mentioned, the first thought that comes to mind is managing portfolios. That is not

What should be an organization’s goal when developing collaboration spaces? At OEC technology, we believe the most important part of installing new technology is ensuring

OEC Academy and Internships In the summer of 2022, OEC had a problem. The summer was booked full of project installations, with too few installers

Four Generations of Grasmick Produce “Grandchildren are a grandparent’s link to the future. Grandparents are the child’s link to the past.” In the 1950s, Henry

Message From The President Building trust is important in every organization. One way to build trust is through transparency. How transparent is your leadership team?

Three questions to ask when choosing the best office chair for you Sitting – we all do it, some of us more than others. But

Jeff Adams is the VP of Sales at MPS acoustics based in Dallas, Texas. When he started with MPS, he knew nothing about acoustics, commercial

Catie Buck has worked in commercial interior design for years, and her passion for the industry recently led her to open her own studio, Josephine

Featuring Karena Gilbert with Colliers International After receiving a degree in Construction Management and working in commercial construction, Karena Gilbert got her real estate license

The Idaho State Supreme Court Renovation The Idaho State Supreme Court building was constructed between 1969 and 1970 and functions as the highest court in

One of the favorite parts of my job is walking through the building and seeing our 50+ employees engaged in diverse business activities in spaces

When adding audio-visual technology into your space, it is essential to get it right the first time. OEC’s Vice President of Technology, Josh Messner, and

The year was 1993, and Brian Ellsworth was between construction jobs. He was hanging some sheetrock when Larry Kincaid walked in the door. “You’re not

Signs2U is a locally owned and family-run small business that has been operating since 2007. They handle everything to do with branding for businesses, including

4 Design concepts to consider when it comes to creating amazing modern collaboration spaces. With the proliferation of hybrid and work-from-home strategies, it’s likely a

Message from the President True confessions I’ll let you in on a little secret. I have some confessions to make, I’m a recovering technology nerd.

Travis Palmer is an estimator at OEC. He didn’t intend to become the roller shade specialist, but when there was a need, Travis stepped up.

Moving is a complicated process. Whether you are moving from your home or planning an office relocation, there are so many things to keep track

A Life Changing Invitation     Mark Wilkins was applying for grad school in international business at Thunderbird in Arizona when an invitation from his cousin changed

Headwaters Construction Co in Rexburg, Idaho, has been tearing up the southeastern Idaho commercial construction scene. To learn more about the company, we sat down

Opening A Permanent Office      B.O.S.S. (Build the Optimal System of Security) Retirement Solutions is a Utah-based company that expanded into Idaho in October 2021.

About a year ago my dad went to the pet store and picked up three femalebunnies. He has a bunny pen in the backyard (he

Going Beyond Commercial Furniture While OEC in Boise, ID, is known for helping clients create amazing spaces that attract and retain talent, we do much

One of the main reasons employees enjoy working from home is control; control over their schedules, their focus, and their postures. When working from home,

Outgrowing your house is painful. There comes a point when the space you once thought you could never fill becomes cramped and uncomfortable. Many families

Covid changed the workplace forever as employees adopted work from home. Now employers want their teams back in the office. Can they compromise? In this

Covid changed the workplace forever as employees adopted work from home. Now employers want their teams back in the office. Can they compromise? In this

Erin Warwick is a finance director at TELEO Capital in Boise, but recently she has been wearing many other hats. One of those hats includes

Movement is important in nearly every aspect of your life. Regarding your work life, movement is key to having a healthy, productive, and pain-free work

A workplace worth the commute Despite employers’ best efforts to entice everyone back to the office, people are dragging their feet. Their reluctance isn’t about

   When Magic Valley Electric (MVE) decided to build their first office in Eastern Idaho, they wanted something special. It had to be a place

Dave was sent home on Friday the 13th. In true spooky fashion he got back from lunch having no idea what was going on as

Before Covid, Brendan was living and working full-time in San Francisco. He had an apartment in Presidio Heights and took the bus into work every

Covid Changed The Workplace Forever     When Covid hit in the early months of 2020 there was speculation that the office would change forever. Employees were

Layton Construction has been in business for almost 70 years. It has grown from a small, family-held construction company to a major Contractor operating in

When I was a little kid I had a favorite thinking space in my home. The space was a teeny, little hidden area behind where

Helping people work better in the hybrid future of work. Even before the pandemic, some organizations began experimenting with mobile work — for example, shifting

Eliminating Waste At OEC, we go through a lot of cardboard waste. We are practically swimming in cardboard at the end of each job between

From Phoenix To The Treasure Valley The Treasure Valley housing market is growing like crazy, and land master-planned community developer M3 Companies is doing its

Sustainability is one of Lombard Conrad Architect’s (LCA) five tenants. How they achieve sustainability comes in a few different forms that fall into three categories.

TreanorHL has many offices scattered throughout the United States, but their dedication to sustainable practices unites them all. Whether in their own buildings, or their

Positively Impacting Humans & Animals How do you turn a city dump into a place that positively impacts the lives of millions of people and

The other day my wife had a hard day at work. When she got home, she announced, “We aren’t making dinner tonight, we are going

Together, Steelcase and our industry leading global dealer partners deliver expertise, ease and experience. Our commitment goes beyond a transaction. We’re here to create a

Technology Creating Flexibility Work looks different than it did a few years ago when employees were practically nailed to their desks at the office. That

BHH: Building Fantastic Communities Boise Hunter Homes is dedicated to building quality homes in fantastic communities, and its new office in Eagle is helping them

Three technology solutions giving power back to employees In the last couple of years, the way we work has changed dramatically. Now work from home

Nova Ltd’s New Boise Office “When I first joined Nova, I asked, ‘Where do we meet?’ They responded, ‘At our office, Café Capri, and they

Have you ever tried to do a job with the wrong tools? Typically, the results take longer and aren’t quite as good as if you

Moving has a way of teaching you to take stock. It forces you to consider what is worth keeping, what needs to be thrown away,

How often do we walk into work and take for granted that the lights are on, the heat is up, and that thing that falls

HUB International refreshes their Boise building by the Train Depot In 2013, locally owned and operated insurance firm Premier Insurance was at a crossroads. There

New research finds key hybrid work issues to resolve before they put business at risk. “The Great Resignation” is causing upheaval in organizations everywhere. Despite

Anyone driving by the Scentsy Headquarters in Meridian, Idaho, knows how impressive and beautiful the campus is. They may not realize the work and planning

Cascadia Healthcare in Eagle, ID makes a difference. Nate Hosac is one of four friends who started Cascadia Healthcare, a skilled nursingcompany caring for those

I worked from home the other day to keep an eye on my daughter, who had just had surgery. Sounds like paradise right? Wrong. I

How to create compelling destinations where everyone can contribute How, when and where people work is evolving rapidly. There is a need for the workplace

How this woman-owned, women-led marketing firm is developing a culture of creativity and flexibility in the workplace. If you have ever received a business card

WaFd Bank’s Approach To Change Washington Federal Bank has 10 regional buildings and 250 branches throughout the western states. At any given time, there can

5 Things Employees Need Now Throughout the pandemic people have changed how they shop, where they live, how they learn, and, for many, how they

Lombard/Conrad Creates An Inspiring New Office One fateful day in 1972, architects Joe Conrad and Ernie Lombard were fired. Why? Because their employer found their

A Discussion With Cushman & Wakefield | Pacific Commercial Realty Advisors What trends are there in the Retail Market? “[At Cushman & Wakefield] We have

My wife has been putting sprinkles on the bananas so my son will eat them. I know this isn’t probably the best idea of all time,

In 1998, the three principals of Buffington Mohr McNeal (BMM) opened their doors with a promise to be their client’s advocate. McNeal says, “We help

Founder and President of VERTICAL Construction Todd Weltner did not expect to become an entrepreneur. However, after working in the industry for a few years,

Develop more explicit norms to set hybrid teams up for success. As more organizations return employees to the office, many are also allowing more flexibility

The future of the workplace is hybrid and so is the future of collaboration. Sixty-eight percent of global organizations are planning to experiment with hybrid

OEC talked with Architects and Designers about their experiences returning to the office. What do you like about being back in the office? The collaboration.

Pets are a big part of our lives in the U.S. They make us laugh, comfort us when we cry, share in our vacations, and

Message From The President I’m constantly reminded why space matters. A few weeks ago OEC hosted a Casino night at our downtown Boise office where

“Passion for your work will follow your working hard at something and achieving mastery in it.” – Mike Rowe For years, students preparing to graduate

Many people can’t wait to return to the office and work side-by-side with their colleagues again and organizations are taking every precaution to make sure

“Design creates culture. Culture shapesvalues. Values determine the future.” -Robert L. Peters As we have learned over the last year and a half, the spaces

In 1935, a black blizzard descended on Washington D.C. It happened just as Hugh Bennett, the Director of the Soil Erosion Service was testifying before

Message from the President A decade ago, sometime during the great recession, I owned a computer repair company. One year after having a modestly successful

It’s time for a fundamentally better learning experience Even before the pandemic, education was undergoing a transformation that will go on long after the virus

Rafanelli & Nahas      What sets apart real estate development firm Rafanelli & Nahas? They create incredible buildings and manage them for the long haul.

And other amazing talents of modern day architects In an era of HGTV and DIY projects where anyone can design an impressive space, we interviewed

While some headlines suggest the office will go away as people embrace working from home almost exclusively, the research identifies a more nuanced, hybrid future.

2021 Commercial Outlook After talking with three commercial agents about their outlook for the future, we have determined that the Treasure Valley is a fantastic

When Police Chief John Dyer interviewed for his position at the Lake Stevens Police Department (LSPD) in 2016, a new facility was already in discussion.

I ran a marathon a few weeks ago.  Here are three life lessons I learned. “I signed up to run a marathon in February”, I

PETIQ is building its new headquarters in Eagle, Idaho. The building will finish in June of this year. Thanks to Matt Huffield and Ian Hoffman

As the exciting new PetIQ Headquarters rises in Eagle, president of OEC, Scott Galloway, sat down with the president of Cole Architects, Matt Huffield, to

“We feel it is critical to be stewards of society, to leave things better than we found them, and to create places that improve the

Mark Heazle and his team at Lombard Conrad were the architects behind the new ICCU Member Service Center West. They have worked on multiple projects

It’s time for an experience that’s fundamentally better The pandemic has reshaped many aspects of our lives, including where and how people want to work.

Children’s Therapy Place provides a variety of therapy services to children of all ages. We interviewed the owner to learn more about the business and

Idaho Central Credit Union has recently completed their new five-story, Member Service Center West building in Meridian, Idaho. To learn more about this exciting project

The new ICCU Member Service Center West is a beautiful, 5-story building prominently set within the Eagle Landing Development. With full glass walls, the building enjoys panoramic

Over the last several months, millions of Americans have been forced to adapt to many changes. For many, working from home has been among those

At OEC, we are in the business of creating amazing spaces that help companies attract and retain talent. That looks different for each business with

When ICCU began serving its community in Boise, Idaho, as a small, state-chartered credit union, it had only 22 members and $300 in assets. Since

January 2021 Edition When I sold my talent development company in 2018, my brother started asking me if I was ready to come work with

OEC’s New Publication Featuring Original Content We are excited to announce the release of SPACES, a new publication by OEC. SPACES is a collection of