Everything you need to know about finding outdoor office space in LA

The pandemic has prompted Los Angeles companies and entrepreneurs to get creative when it comes to their office space solutions. As work-from-home fatigue continues to set in, employees are looking to change up their day-to-day routines and find safe ways to work from the office. However, with concerns around indoor ventilation and its potential role in the spread of COVID-19, people want alternative solutions that aren’t necessarily indoor office spaces.

One option that’s gaining popularity in LA? Outdoor office space. This isn’t surprising, as Los Angeles, CA’s temperate climate makes outdoor office space a viable option almost year-round. Outdoor office space isn’t just sitting at picnic benches with a laptop — new solutions have proven to be well-developed and high-tech. In this post, we’ll walk you through the benefits of using outdoor office space in LA and explore some of the options available to Los Angeles-based companies.

What are the benefits of outdoor office space in LA?

There are a myriad of benefits to using outdoor office space, especially in the Los Angeles climate. Here are just some of the reasons why outdoor office space in LA can be beneficial for your productivity and well-being:

It’s good for your health: The health benefits of sunlight and fresh air are well-documented. Spending time in nature-filled, outdoor environments can energize you, boost your mood, decrease stress, and even improve memory. But we often aren’t able to get the dose of outside time that we may need — and work can be a significant barrier to that. When retailer L.L. Bean spearheaded an outdoor working initiative at their Freeport, Maine headquarters, they received considerable enthusiastic feedback from employees who enjoyed being able to work in the fresh air (even when it was a bit grey out at times!). By taking advantage of Los Angeles weather and empowering employees to work outside, your business can help its employees feel revitalized and improve their well-being.

It can help break up the workday: Working outdoors can be useful in combatting WFH fatigue since employees can break up the workday and get a healthy dose of time in nature. This structure can help to motivate employees and is also reflective of the flexibility that is predicted to define the future of work post-pandemic.

It can help to stop the spread of COVID: With fears around the impact of stale air on the transmission of COVID-19, working outside is conducive to mitigating the health risks employees might incur in a traditional office environment. The circulation of fresh air, combined with the relative ease of social distancing outdoors compared to inside an office, makes outdoor space a viable, safe alternative for those craving an office environment.

Los Angeles Outdoor Office Space Examples

There are a number of office options for those looking to spend their workdays outdoors. Some options encompass primarily outdoor space, while some offer a blend of indoor and outdoor workspace. Here are just a few office space providers in the Los Angeles metro area that put an emphasis on outdoor space:

Second Home, Hollywood

Located in Hollywood, Second Home is a new kind of coworking space that focuses on creating biophilic, open-air office environments. With 90,000 square feet of space, Second Home’s layout is highly conducive to social distancing, and its campus is laid out so that members can avoid getting into elevators, which can be a source of anxiety for those who work in high-rise buildings. And for any indoor space — for example, their “garden pod”-style private offices — fresh air is pumped into the spaces from outside, allowing tenants to avoid breathing in recirculated air.

Second Homes’ nature-focused, open-air, garden layout appeals to a wide variety of workers across a range of industries, including but certainly not limited to advertising, education, fitness, travel.

WeWork La Brea

Coworking provider WeWork understands the value of outdoor workspace. In addition to their typical indoor coworking space, their La Brea Avenue location also offers al fresco space, which members can utilize for a variety of activities, including exercise, meetings, solo work, and coffee breaks. Outdoor space at this location comes in the form of balconies, rooftops, and more.

Playa District

Real estate investment company EQ office worked to renovate the Playa District campus in the Silicon Beach area of West Los Angeles, creating a comprehensive experience across its 1.4 million square feet of space, with a focus on wellness and lifestyle. Flexible space operator Industrious has partnered with EQ office to manage the tenant experience.

Playa District features outdoor conference and meeting rooms, as well as social spaces that promote collaboration with colleagues and community members. The campus even features outdoor fitness spaces and “sports courts” with ping pong tables, pool tables, hammocks, and more. It’s clear that members of the Playa District community are not limited in working outdoors, as EQ and Industrious have been able to recreate all the comforts of indoor offices outside.

How to Design an Outdoor Workspace

If you’re looking to design your business’s own outdoor workspace, here are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure your team is successful:

• Enforce social distancing: Even in open-air environments, social distancing should still be a part of the flow of activity. Keep a minimum of 6 feet between workstations, and put up social distancing markers where appropriate to make sure people navigate the space safely.
•  Make sure to equip the space properly: Ensure that your employees have access to all the equipment needed to do their jobs effectively outside. Cater to both general needs — for example, ample outdoor power outlets, desks, high-speed WiFi — as well as outdoor-specific needs, such as anti-glare monitors, umbrellas or retractable awnings, and more.
• Prepare for inclement weather: While LA generally boasts pleasant weather year-round, it’s crucial to prepare for rainy and cold days. Have heat lamps and rain-proof covers to keep your employees comfortable even when it’s not sunny outside.
• Get the right furniture: You don’t want lawn furniture, but you do want portable, flexible furniture that’s easy to move and clean. However, it’s important to still make sure that your furniture is work-oriented and ergonomic so your employees are comfortable. Additionally, opt for white or light-colored furniture so that it doesn’t trap too much heat from the sun.
• Offer a variety of workspace types: Make sure that employees have access to the spaces they need to be successful, such as private space, lounge space, meeting space, and more.

Looking to find available office space for rent with outdoor workspace? Contact us to get started on your search.