The fact that the office plays host to our work is actually the key factor that makes
it important – the way it functions, the facilities it offers and even how
comfortable it is, has a huge impact into how employees can perform their daily tasks.
We exist in a special time of technological and manufacturing advancements – innovations
that make our jobs easier and help us to think around 'traditional' techniques and
concepts that can further improve our working practices and the resulting effort. As
such, an office design of today can be made to fit with the company
rather than the company having to fit around the limitations offered by a
building's design. Gone are the days that saw unmoveable, creative-stunting
cubicles – office workers of today can specify their own working environments. If their
perfect one is an open plan area or a large room with hot-desking capabilities, then so
be it.
Office Fit Out Trends For 2018 and Beyond
In 2018, the major trend is very much inspired by the need to move the office beyond
its more-traditional limitations, taking it out into a place in which we
can feel energised, inspired and brim-full of positivity. On this, here are
five office design trends that will continue to inspire office fitters
and their clients alike during 2018:
- Keep It Green. Recent years have seen many a business
realise the benefits that a more 'natural' environment can have on its employees.
From rooftop gardens and water features to the less elaborate 'living walls' and
plant installations; Biophilic design has great benefits to an employee's health and
wellbeing. Our work environments often look monotonous and reflect feelings of the
need to work hard, raising levels of stress. Whilst the need to be hardworking
obviously isn't something that you want to eliminate, you can hone it, shaping it to
be reflected in a better, more calm environment. As a result, the introduction of
nature into the work environment will help to boost levels of calmness and
creativity, making people feel happier and healthier. As a result, it will boost
productivity without employees feeling like they're being
endlessly pushed by a working environment that doesn't offer them anything.
- Increasing Levels Of Texture. There should be more to the
modern workplace than just the prefix of 'work' – we often forget about the
'place' suffix. If you think about how much time employees spend at work, then
you'll quickly realise that it is truly 'a home from home'. Home is a place that we
should feel comfortable and a safe in. It's a place in which we can relax, be
ourselves and get on with tasks without constant pressure. This 'homely feeling' is
precisely what many forward-thinking businesses are introducing into their
office design for the future – texturing their rooms to heighten
the sensory elements that allow employees to feel 'at home'.
- Being Bold With Branding. Gone are the days of the
'identikit offices'; businesses have now recognised the need to have office space
that reflects their branding colours and logos, as well as philosophies that are
personal to the company. The office design of today is used as an
extension of a business's marketing materials – saying everything about them and how
they work, without having to push the verbal 'hard sell'. A unique and
original design will impress clients and employees alike; gaining the company work,
boosting its reputation and also helping to keep talented people.
- Cater For Future Advancements NOW. You can't help but to
have noticed that the technology we use has become more flexible as time has gone on
– wireless communications have even changed the way that our offices are designed.
As a result of recent innovations, many an office design has become
minimalist and instead of the traditional tight set-ups with stationery desks and
computers, have instead placed more concentration into improving open collaborative
areas.
But how will technology improve next? Innovations such as augmented
reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are beginning to grow in their
influence – you may have already experienced them through your mobile phone,
using QR codes (AR) or by trying out headsets that create a virtual world around
your line of sight (VR). It isn't inconceivable to say that the next few years will
see such technology come more into play in the workplace – so only by preparing for
them NOW can we truly take advantage of them when they appear. As such, wide-open
collaborative spaces have to be a must, for any creative business.
Looking To Improve Your Office Design? Get In Touch With Active Today
If you're looking to create an innovative workspace that can push your business to the
next level, why not get in touch with the expert office fit out team here at Active
Facilities Management? We have been operating within the office fit out and management
industry for well over 20 years now and throughout that time we have seen the great
influence that technology and trends have had on the design of offices and the working
practices of the people who use them. As such, we can confidently say that when it comes
to helping you to create an office
design for the future, we find ourselves in a unique position from
which to do so.
If you would like further information on our office management services, or to discuss
office design in general, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly
team today. You can give us a call on 0845 130 9066 or alternatively,
you can send an e-mail enquiry to us by using the form on our contact page.
