It’s the start of a new year and a new decade, and for many organizations, 2020 will also mark the configuration of a new workplace. These three office trends show a demand for comfort, creative space planning, and more integrated technology than ever:
Trend #1 Make the office feel as comfortable as home.
Bringing the comforts of home (think comfy couch, softer lighting) into the office is a trend called resimercial design.
Oversize chairs, ornate mirrors, and a sparkling, modern chandelier at Kappa Kappa Gamma headquarters are representative of resimercial design in this reception area.
According to Washington, D.C., interior design firm Guernsey*, resimercial design can create a welcoming and comfortable environment for employees in any size or type of workplace. It also serves as a method to attract and retain employees.
Resimercial features, says Guernsey, include:
Durable and cozy office furniture with ergonomic features
Natural, ambient lighting to brighten up the mood
Open spaces that encourage movement and collaboration in the workplace, with small features and details that make a big impact
Designated areas with unique function and aesthetics
Green plants that lend a homey and eco-integrated feel
The latest in technology spread throughout, increasing connectivity
mandatory tech: low-voltage cabling
Connectivity in the workplace relies on one primary artery: the structured cabling infrastructure. This under-sung and largely unseen architecture of low-voltage copper and fiber cables is the lifeblood of every tangible IT system and function. It drives hard-wired desktops and digital screens as well as wireless access points and cellular antenna systems for mobile users. Careful planning at the design stage of a project will ensure that the appropriate type of cabling, pathways, points of connection, and power are provided to support current and future office configurations. Getting the cabling right is like constructing a proper foundation for a building: it creates a longstanding support for a succession of technology applications.
Learn more:
*https://interiorsbyguernsey.com/blog/office-design-hybrid-residential-commercial/
https://www.2020spaces.com/blog-resimercial-design-modern-workplace/
https://www.ibswebsite.com/technology-blog/best-practices-for-planning-low-voltage-cabling
Trend #2 Rethink the boardroom.
How often is your boardroom in use? Could that square footage be used more frequently to advance additional business goals?
This multi-purpose meeting room at Columbus Realtors can easily be reconfigured thanks to flexible furnishings and audiovisual technology.
Office design specialists K2* believe the longstanding boardroom is about to change as companies embrace new ways of collaborating and question the amount of space it can require. K2 points to the rise of informal, stand-up meetings in the creative and IT sectors and the increase of a remote workforce as factors that diminish the importance of a dedicated boardroom.
Demand is increasing for flexible, multipurpose spaces. K2 is fielding more requests for spaces that can act as a boardroom when required but can be reconfigured into multiple, smaller spaces with little or no expertise.
intuitive tech: audiovisual control systems
New designs for multipurpose meeting rooms take full advantage of reconfigurable furnishings and wireless collaboration systems to transform the spaces for group meetings, training sessions, video conferencing, and even private workspace. What makes these designs effective is clarity up front about how the rooms will be used and the level of audiovisual control systems needed. Does your team need the ease of one-button controls to toggle from digital display to screen sharing or video conferencing, or do you have IT staff available to assist? Are your meeting spaces in demand daily and in need of a room scheduling system? Is the wireless network strong enough to support multiple users who are sharing and streaming data and video? Understanding these needs will reveal the technology solutions and budget needed to accomplish your goal.
Learn more:
*Article https://k2space.co.uk/knowledge/office-design-trends-2020/
Article https://www.ibswebsite.com/technology-blog/best-practices-commercial-av-systems
Case study https://www.ibswebsite.com/scientific-expert-analysis
Trend #3 Create a variety of activity-based workspaces.
A recent Forbes article* proclaims the hottest office trend to be simply this: variety in workspaces that promote employee satisfaction and productivity. Author and entrepreneur Barnaby Lashbrooke writes that thoughtfully planned, activity-based workspaces offer employees the freedom and flexibility to choose where to work and make a meaningful impact on productivity.
This flexible workspace at the MPW Technology Center gives new purpose and productivity to an open area alongside meeting rooms and cubicles.
Tech Challenge: sound masking for noisy and quiet spaces
The Forbes article acknowledges that successfully incorporating a variety of work areas is no easy feat when it comes to acoustics. A sound-masking system can help mitigate the impact of noisier spaces on the quiet spaces designed for focused work and concentration. Ceiling-mounted emitters are inobtrusive and can be adjusted easily by setting up different zones throughout the office.
Learn more:
Case study https://www.ibswebsite.com/heartland-bank
Article https://www.ibswebsite.com/technology-blog/five-reasons-your-office-needs-sound-masking
START A NEW PROJECT WITH US
The technology experts at Integrated Building Systems will help you craft a plan that reflects these best practices and delivers the results you seek.
Since our founding in 1993, we’ve helped hundreds of customers from all types of businesses solve their technology infrastructure and integration challenges. Our portfolio of projects includes digital signage, wireless collaboration, video walls, integrated control systems, and more that we’ve planned and installed in conference rooms, boardrooms, training facilities, break rooms, cafes, lobbies, multi-purpose space, and control rooms.
Contact us to schedule an initial conversation, share your plans, and learn more about how to engage our team.