The American workplace has changed drastically over the past several years — especially throughout 2020 and 2021, when many companies faced mandates that required employees to work from home. Today, however, the physical workplace matters more than ever for businesses that want to create inspiring, motivating, and sustainable environments for their employees.
What does the future of workspace design look like, and how can designers incorporate different trends and technologies to optimize every square foot?
Understanding Modern Work Cultures
According to a Work Design Magazine article, “Gen Z brings a fresh perspective to the ever-changing world of work. This generation’s work ethic, preferences in work styles and expectations of a workspace differ significantly from previous generations.”
By 2025, about 27% of employees in the United States will be from Generation Z (born approximately from 1997 to 2012). With this in mind, employers need to start focusing on following modern office design trends to support and motivate these workers if they want to engage talent in the years to come.
Shift Toward Remote and Hybrid Models
During the peak of the coronavirus, one realization that employers and employees alike had is that many jobs can truly be done from home. Even after companies started shifting back to “business as usual” when stay-at-home mandates were lifted, many employees expressed a desire to continue working from home full time or at least a few days per week.
This relic of COVID-19 persists today, as many employers have made the switch to hybrid work environments that allow employees to work remotely at least part of the time. In fact, globally, it is estimated that about 26% of workers have a hybrid schedule as of 2023.
With the rise in remote and hybrid setups seemingly here to stay, employers should account for this in their own workplace design. This means incorporating flexible workspace solutions and virtual collaboration spaces that support employees working in the office and remotely.
The Emphasis on Employee Well-Being
Current and future generations of workers are also prioritizing their well-being more than ever before. Rather than grinding away at the office 40+ hours per week, these employees are seeking jobs that provide a greater sense of work-life balance. In fact, according to recent research from the Work Trend Index Annual Report, about 53% of workers are more likely to prioritize their health and well-being ahead of their jobs.
More than ever, then, this means that employers must be proactive about creating supportive work environments that allow workers to take care of themselves while demonstrating a commitment to employee health and wellness. As a result, we’re beginning to see workspaces incorporating biophilic office design, where elements of nature (such as plants and other greenery) are brought indoors to improve the atmosphere and have a positive impact on employee wellness.
Additionally, employers are becoming more discerning about the kinds of office furniture they select — striving to incorporate more ergonomic furniture to help prevent physical strain and keep workers as comfortable as possible during work hours.
Technological Integration in Workspace Design
In addition to creating workspace designs that cater more to current and future generations of workers, employers are also tasked with integrating innovative technologies into their physical and virtual workspaces to maximize productivity and improve employee engagement.
So, what are some of the ways in which technology is being used in innovative workspace design?
Smart Office Solutions
Today, more businesses are using smart office technologies as a means of creating more supportive and productive workspaces. For example, smart desks and smart chairs allow employees to easily adjust desk and chair height, plus customize other features to improve ergonomics while fostering greater comfort and productivity on the job.
Some modern offices are incorporating smart temperature control solutions to keep workspaces more comfortable year-round with the added benefit of reducing the building’s carbon footprint. Smart lighting solutions (including light sensors and adjustable lighting) can cut down on electricity use while creating more ambient and productive workspaces for employees. All of these seemingly small solutions and technologies can add up to facilitate a more enjoyable work environment for employees.
Virtual Collaboration Spaces
With more workplaces making the shift to remote and hybrid work models, making strides to establish collaborative workspace design and coworking space design is also more essential than ever. For workspaces embracing a hybrid setup, numerous technologies and strategies can help optimize office space utilization while supporting remote workers.
Some employers may consider, for instance, technology that allows workers to reserve specific desks or conference rooms during their time in the office. Meanwhile, software that helps hybrid workers plan their schedule for the week can optimize productivity both at home and in the office.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Design Trends
In addition to creating workspaces that prioritize worker comfort and well-being, modern employers are also looking to the future when it comes to sustainability. As many industries are taking proactive measures to reduce their carbon footprints and even become carbon neutral, employers can reflect their commitment to sustainability in their design choices.
Modular Layouts and Furniture
One way in which employers are incorporating sustainable office solutions into their designs is through modular office furniture, which allows different pieces of furniture to be creatively used and combined in different ways to meet a range of needs and applications. More specifically, modular office furniture pieces can be rearranged or even added to as a means of creating limitless possibilities in the modern workspace. By embracing modular office furniture, employers can cut down on the amount of furniture purchased while maximizing versatility and promoting sustainability.
Spaces for Socialization and Solitude
Likewise, employers are combining a commitment to sustainability with demands for more inclusive office design by incorporating spaces for both socialization and solitude in the modern workplace. For example, employers can foster greater collaboration and teamwork within the office by creating breakout areas and other collaborative zones that encourage creative brainstorming in agile work environments.
On the other hand, when workers need to focus on the task at hand, modular office furniture should make it possible to convert spaces into areas of quiet and solitude.
Designing for Flexibility and Scalability
Aside from choosing the right office furniture and design layouts, employers also need to think ahead when deciding on modern workspace design. Ideally, workspaces should be both flexible and scalable so they can change and grow along with the company. This means choosing furniture and other components that can be easily changed as needed, as well as careful consideration of color choices.
Current Color Trends
Various color trends are appearing in offices and other workspaces across the globe. These color schemes can do anything from energizing workers to creating more calm and tranquil work environments.
Although there is no “right” color to choose for an office, the combination of shades should evoke a sense of aesthetic harmony as well as productivity. According to Elle Decor, some of the best office paint color schemes include bright whites, rich greens, bold graphites and brilliant blues.
Timeless vs. Trendy Colors
Even though changing up paint colors in the modern office may seem relatively simple, painting an office space takes a significant amount of preparation when it comes to moving furniture, taping off trim and the like. With this said, it’s best to stick with timeless color schemes when selecting paint for a modern workspace. This might mean balanced, calming shades of grays and blues or the company’s brand colors rather than bold hues of, say, red or purple that might go out of style in a few years.
Case Studies: Innovative Workspace Designs
As the need for more creative and inclusive workspaces becomes evident, we have already begun to see some innovative workspace designs making an impact.
Companies Leading the Change
Companies like Google have long been known for their unique and innovative office spaces. At Google’s Engineering Hub in Zurich, Switzerland, workers can enjoy setting up in their own enclosed pods for one-on-one meetings, private phone calls and more.
Meanwhile, companies like Axiom in Sydney have incorporated offices designed with a center “hub,” featuring collaborative spaces that use both virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to maximize collaboration and improve the worker experience.
Lessons Learned
As workplaces move away from “traditional” designs, employers continue to learn what works best in achieving their goals. Perhaps the biggest lesson to keep in mind is that what works best for one company may not work well for another. The Google Engineering Hub, for instance, involved a participatory design process that prioritized open collaboration from a committee of employees to plan the office. With a psychologist involved, the project was guided by not only functional needs but also workers’ personality types and values to craft a space that truly motivated them — fostering fun, productivity, and collaboration, yet allowing for individual concentration too.
Ultimately, workspace design is all about reflecting the company’s values and mission into the spaces where its employees do their jobs. When employers follow this simple rule, the results can be remarkable for both workers and businesses alike.
Learn More About Interior Design at RMCAD
These days, it can be useful for designers to think of the workplace as a service. More than ever, employers need to prioritize office design for productivity, collaboration and sustainability in order to attract the best talent. If sustainable office solutions and modern office trends are compelling you, then it may be time to pursue a career in interior design.
At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, our Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree program can help you build the foundational knowledge and skills needed to craft inspiring, collaborative spaces that bring out the best in workers. Through the careful selection of modular office furniture to the choice of sustainable office solutions, your designs could empower employers to create better working spaces for generations to come. Plus, this program is offered both online and on-campus to suit your lifestyle. Learn more about RMCAD’s interior design program by reaching out today, or get started with your online application for enrollment.
