Office design trends

FLEXIBLE LAYOUTS

In today’s busy environment with ever changing technology, a well designed workplace should change effortlessly according to the task at hand. Developing areas that can be easily adapted to suit changing requirements is an essential element of design. Smart choices in office furniture and design with flexibility in mind will see your workplace buzz along efficiently into the future.

FUTURE-PROOF DESIGN

Part of designing flexible layouts is the need for furniture that will adapt to new and changing requirements. Modular soft seating, modular workbenches, desk pods, meet point tables, collaborative and breakout furniture, and acoustic elements – are examples of smart office furniture choices to support a well designed, high functioning and adaptable workplace.

Power and data is another big consideration when future proofing. Soft wiring is a simple installation method for power and data that saves time, increases safety and allows rewiring so you can adapt to changes easily in the future. Re-usable leads and outlets, and simple to add connections allow for expansion or reconfiguration at minimal cost.

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY

Workspaces that integrate with technology is a logical design trend that is on the rise. We can expect to see wireless charging of devices become commonplace soon.

Office furniture with built in power adapters and multimedia capabilities will be seen in well designed and flexible work environments.

DESIGN FOR PRODUCTIVE WELL-BEING

Productive well-being is an aspect of workplace design that has been embraced by architects and designers more recently. With the health and well-being of employees being central to design, we see a positive impact on health, happiness, and productivity in the workplace. With this comes less staff turnover and decreased employee costs overall. Things like sit-stand desks, areas for both collaboration and privacy, comfort, airflow, lighting, indoor plant life, accommodating healthy lifestyle options like starting later in the day, or gym memberships – all increase the productive well-being of your staff.

OUTDOORS IN

Bringing the outdoors inside is an office design trend that won’t be going anywhere fast, and one that coincides with productive well-being. With office workers spending around eight hours a day inside, we can see the benefits of bringing more natural elements into the workplace. Living Walls create an element of nature that also helps with air purity, and lunch, if you incorporate plants for harvest such as lettuces.

Summary: We will see adaptable workplace environments with options for different working styles and tasks, as well as options for rest and relaxation. Natural elements and different textures, when executed with sophistication, will see beautifully designed work spaces for 2017.