The modern office landscape is evolving. Old-school offices with grey, drab, aged interiors have become thoroughly dated, giving way to a new breed of sleek, modern office spaces.
But what’s driving these trends? And what are the benefits for both the business and its employees?
We’ll break down the latest trends in office design so you can go ahead and build the best office possible.
Biophilic Design: Bringing Nature Indoors
Biophilic design – incorporating natural elements into the built environment – has gained immense traction in recent years.
The underlying idea is to introduce plants, natural light, and organic materials to the office to create a calming and inviting atmosphere.
Studies have shown that offices incorporating biophilic elements boast a remarkable 15% increase in employee well-being and a 6% increase in productivity.
Biophilic spaces also look superb, helping you attract and retain employees while making office life more pleasant.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices
As environmental concerns continue to rise, businesses are looking to adopt sustainable office design practices.
The benefits are manifold. A strong 86% majority of employees prefer to work for companies that care about environmental and social issues.
And sustainable commercial buildings even achieve a 56% lower vacancy rate and a 13.4% increase in net income.
Some eco-friendly practices include:
- Implementing energy-efficient technologies
- Using recycled and sustainable materials
- Promoting waste reduction and recycling programs
- Incorporating natural ventilation and daylighting
- Choosing low-VOC paints and finishes
Flexible and Modular Spaces
The rise of remote and flexible work has spotlighted the benefits of flexible, adaptable office spaces.
Activity-Based Working (ABW) layouts, which provide a variety of work settings tailored to specific tasks, have been shown to improve overall workplace satisfaction by 17%, individual productivity by 13%, and team productivity by 8%.
Consider making your office space more modular and responsive to different workflows.
It will also make the office space more responsive to different businesses, boosting occupancy rates.
Prioritising Mental Health and Well-being
Of course, employee well-being is a top priority, and this is reflected in workspace design trends, too.
Incorporating ergonomic furniture, quiet zones, and relaxation areas can generously improve job satisfaction and productivity.
Spaces that encourage social interaction and collaboration while providing opportunities for privacy and focus are essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
It goes without saying that taking positive action to improve employee mental health benefits businesses, too. Studies show time and time again that a happy workforce is a productive workforce.
Inclusive and Accessible Spaces
Designing inclusive and accessible offices is a moral imperative. Employees respect a business’s intent to make office spaces more inclusive for everyone.
Inclusive offices outperform industry norms by 36% in attracting top talent, underscoring the importance of creating spaces that cater to everyone.
This could include lift and ramp access, adjustable workstations, accessible toilets and clear signage.
Summing Up
Looking to level up your office space? Start by optimising its design.
At Spaceway, we specialise in office innovations, offering office fit outs to help you create future-ready spaces.
Our team of experienced designers and fit-out experts can help you design a high-performance modern office design and create a workspace that aligns with your unique needs and goals.
Contact us today to bring your office into the 21st century and beyond!