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Office space design trends continue to evolve as companies are taking less space, increasing shared space, adding more amenities, creating more flexible work areas, etc.
Factors That Will Shape the Future of Office Space
- Spaces will be more collaborative and support the balance between private think time and team time
- Fewer private offices
- Shared rooms for private phone calls or 1 on 1 discussions
- Touchdown spaces to allow a place for the mobile workforce to quickly plug in to do email, take phone calls, etc
- Increased use of technology to allow easy access to files and data
- Activity based designs that focus on what people do and their day to day activities
- Size of space not determined by titles. Those who spend the most time in the office will get more space
- The need for workers to interact will continue to be taken into account on how their space is designed
- Less drywall
- More natural light
- Offices on the interior rather than on the windows so everyone can enjoy the natural light
- Eliminating or concealing all the exposed wiring and clutter from desktops and conference rooms
- The use of design materials such as reclaimed wood, concrete floors, more artwork, and more plant life
- Bringing the home into the office to give it a more cozy feeling
- Multipurpose rooms and workstations so they don’t go unused
- Companies will look to decrease drive times and opt to rent office space in multiple locations to accommodate employees that live in different parts of the city. This may mean they lease smaller office spaces but more than one location
- More lounge areas that stimulate relaxing environments & collaboration
- Using colors to organize the work environment to boost happiness, productivity, and creativity
- Using community tables to encourage collaboration and interaction
- The use of different textures to create inspiring, personalized work environments
- Decrease in permanent layouts and seats
Designs based on a companies core values and history that tells the story of the organization- Break rooms that look like cafes or coffee shops
- More consideration given to what the employees need & want
- More consideration about the age of the employees (e.g. millennials – 1980’s to mid-2000’s, Generation Z – 1994 to 2010, baby boomers – 1946 to 1964, Generation X – mid 1960s to early 80’s)
- More connected to the outdoors
- Focus on Well building standards such as water, air, nourishment, fitness, light, comfort, & the mind
- Wearable technology and other developments will influence design
- Furniture will become more of a design feature as well as used for storage
- Hot desking will continue to be used
- The use of virtual reality will allow people to see how their spaces could look before construction
- Designs based on data will be used (e.g. Sociometric ID badges) or something similar may be used to collect data on employees movements and how they use space and interact
- Stand-up desks will continue to increase in popularity
- Wellness programs that encourage good health such as fitness facilities and healthy snacks and drinks
- The use of biophilic designs that incorporate plants, natural light, and views
- Wireless charging stations will be used more as well as solutions that allow you to connect to shared displays
- Faster and faster WiFi
- Better acoustics to make the open office experience much better
Office space design trends will continue to evolve as companies work harder to increase productivity, decrease costs, increase their bottom line, and compete for good talent.
