Design trends for office buildings are evolving and adapting to the new decade. With the implied notion that monochromatic colors, cubicles, and productivity-focused design used to be the absolute pinnacle, it is clear to see that more and more employees and companies are seeking more fun, comfort, and choice in their office spaces.
It is therefore appropriate that things are changing. American workers will spend an average of 90,000 hours at their work place so many companies are working hard to ensure that they have an environment that their employees enjoy being at.
Below are a few office building design trends that we believe are set to rise in the future.
Collaboration Spaces
The idea of collaboration is crucial for any enterprise, and now organizations are increasingly working on its improvement with the help of the building’s design. Open workspaces, big tables, huddle areas, and many other things are gaining popularity.
There is no secret formula to the design of collaborative spaces but the principle behind such spaces is all about supporting collaboration. In some cases, it may involve the creation of distinct rooms for collaborations. At other times, it’s about removing collaboration obstacles like cubicle walls or closed-off office doors. Architects and designers concur that the most effective way to encourage communication is to arrange a building in such a way that workers constantly encounter each other in the course of their activities.
Whichever way you choose to add an element of collaboration, the fact remains that there has to be an element of collaboration in your office building’s new design.
Prioritizing of Comfort and Flexibility
It is worth noting that people spend a big part of their lives at work. It is for this reason that more executives are converting their offices into lounges as well as equipped kitchens. Encouraging workers to take a break in the same way can be beneficial too when productivity is the key concern.
Another encouraging initiative is to create comfortable working lounges and fully equipped kitchens, but this should be sustainable through regular cleaning. Eventually, these spaces may lose their appeal or become visibly dirty, rendering them unruly. Using commercial cleaning services means businesses can guarantee that these areas are kept safe and attractive. Regular cleaning also not only makes the business premises attractive to the eye but also demonstrates the employer’s concern for the employees’ welfare. It is important to maintain positivity in the workspace because the workspace must be a motivating place.
We recommend to not opt out of having a lounge area but think about small changes like having comfortable chairs or the possibility to create flexible workspaces. For instance, rather than having a dedicated workspace for each employee have several workspaces where the employees can choose the kind of space they prefer for the day.
This small design reorientation from thinking about productivity to thinking about flexibility ultimately creates a more productive workforce. It turns out that encouraging people to work in places that feel most comfortable will be more effective than trying to hold them to places that seem to be more effective.
Mood Boosters
It is a surprise that one of the five causes of death in the United States is workplace stress. This is why architects today strive to ensure that more office buildings adopt the use of mood boosters. The positive correlation between exposure to daylight and mood and reduced depression has lead to a growing trend towards buildings that allow natural light to stream into an office.
Obviously, large windows must be used, but the use of glass walls throughout the building becomes an excellent method to let the sun rays to pass it, even if you are not near a window. Large sliding glass doors, controlled or switchable privacy glass, and domed roofs are some options that will allow you to incorporate better natural light into your design.
Nature as well is a known mood enhancer and beyond lighting. And we will see more of plants, terrariums, live walls, ponds, and much more in 2024.
Emphasis on Durability
There is no doubt that the weather and pollution conditions in the USA get worse every year, that is why office facilities are now paying more attention to the durability of the premises against storms, natural catastrophes, and pollution.
A simple alternative method to enhance the water resistance and reduce the air and noise pollution is by growing architectural louvers on the outer side of the building. Additionally, when implementing sustainable design you must remember to favor quality rather than cost alone. Do not reduce the durability of the material. Choose such building materials for your office building that are capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions.
Also, ensure that you develop floor plan designs that will allow your employees to reach a safe room or escape from the building in case of an emergency.
Sustainable Materials
Nowadays the concept of ‘sustainability’ is one of the most popular topics in the design and corporate world, and therefore it does not surprise that the sphere of sustainable materials is also entering the new decade. There are a number of companies dedicated to reclaimed wood supply. It can also be applied for desks, décor, offices, furnishings, wood beams and many other uses.
Different materials such as concrete, cork, recycled metals, bamboo and recycled glass are also used in sustainable environment. We will see sustainability as one of the most popular trends for the years to come.
Try These Office Building Design Trends
These are among some of the office building design trends that are a subject of discussion in this year. It is easy to see that if you keep the above things in mind then there is little or no way you will miss out in your design of the office building. The most and overarching trends include a focus on employee & workplace happiness. This is why it is vital with the design of an office as long as you keep in mind some of the points that are mentioned above then you will be on your way in designing an office building that is beautiful and appealing for the employees.
Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for building materials. His passion is to educate and encourage the homeowner, contractor, and architect to locate and research materials as well as methods of construction that are cost effective, energy efficient, and increase the value of the house.
