Workplace Design Trends to Expect in 2020
Overall, the challenge in 2020 will be designing a workplace that serves a multi-generational workforce. Baby Boomers, Gen Z, and Millennials all work differently and hold different expectations for their workplace. Trends will continue to change over the years. A possible solution is to create a workplace that is flexible and diverse. Modular walls are a great way to ensure your workspace can easily adjust and change with you.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design brings nature into the workplace. Designers incorporate more raw materials and textures, such as copper, wood, and brass. Vertical gardens and potted plants are now more commonly featured, because they add oxygen and reduce air pollution. There is also a heavier focus on natural light. Natural light is great in the workplace because it increases vitamin D and can give workers more energy to be productive. It can also ward off seasonal depression and keep workers happy and motivated. Natural light also helps a workplace to be more energy efficient.
Biophilic design goes hand in hand with sustainable design. Sustainable design uses recycled or reclaimed furnishings to encourage environmental wellness. Biophilic design and sustainability are trends of 2020 that are shifting towards a permanent way of life and work.
Resimercial Design
Resimercial design combines commercial design with residential design. It focuses on the commercial design’s durability and brings in the variability and ambiance of residential design. Like both commercial and residential design, it features layouts that facilitate movement and encourage community. By allowing your employees to be more comfortable at work, they can become happier and achieve work-life balance. Resimercial design in the workplace can also spark innovation and encourage workers to collaborate.
Open Offices Reconsidered
The open office trend is still very much alive, but people are beginning to realize just how much they need their privacy. Open offices can be full of distractions: ringing phones, uninvited chatter, and just the constant coming and going of people. It can be hard to do quality work in a busy open office, especially if that work involves focused critical thinking.
In regard to this trend, 2020 will focus on distraction minimization. Companies with open offices will continue to address their privacy concerns by adding noise-masking systems, offering desk screens, and finding unconventional spaces strictly for independent work. Workers who cannot find the privacy they need in their workplace will be lobbying to do their work remotely.
The Rise of Smart Offices
Like a smart phone, the smart office uses analytics to help increase productivity and collaboration. Alongside providing analytics, this technology can also be used for finding and booking desks and meeting rooms as well as video conferencing. Smart office technology allows your workers to focus on work by letting them bypass menial tasks. Overall, the smart office helps companies achieve better use of their workspace.
