2016 has been a great year so far for office design. With new generations entering the workforce, open plan fading into the design distance and wellbeing taking centre stage, it’s a year for office innovations. Find out how businesses are adopting technology, office partitioning and more as part of these five innovative office design trends in 2016:
Millennials changing office technology
Generation Z and millennials will complete their education and move into careers in 2016. Baby boomers are retiring and millennials will become the largest generation in the workplace – including managerial positions. 68% of HR professionals think this will have a major impact on the workplace over the next five years, and companies are starting to adapt to the technology habits they have already.
Expect desktop computers to become obsolescent whilst wearables and tablets take their place as primary work tools, and employees to lose ties with their desks!
Flexibility is built into workplace design
Companies are finding it more and more difficult to predict what types of jobs there will be in the next few years, making it essential that their office design is flexible. It will need to cater for what staff may need, and this is achieved with adaptable office furniture such as office partitions. Office partition walls are relocatable, flexible and more cost effective than moving offices – making them a popular choice for office design in 2016.
The privacy and collaboration conflict
Offices design in 2016 needs to cater for privacy, collaboration, and a mix of the two. An activity based design does this by providing separate areas so that employees can find a quiet cubicle to concentrate or collaborate with colleagues. According to a study by Gensler, giving employees more areas to work in makes them feel empowered and proactive. This can be achieved with flexible office partitioning to create the individual rooms for soundproof quiet zones, or different heights for varied levels of collaboration.
Office design that promotes wellbeing
Businesses thrived on 2015’s wellbeing trend and continue to do so in 2016. With sit/stand desks, and considered office layout placement of kitchens and bathrooms to improve movement throughout the day. Some companies, such as the Institute of Real Estate Management in Chicago, have executed an office wellness design project supported by the WELL Building Standard, which concentrates on air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.
Plants are best kept at work
Biophilic office design, otherwise known as using plants, natural light and having views of nature in the office is a major 2016 trend due to its positive influences on a workforce. A study by Human Spaces reported that productivity increases by 6% when offices have plants and natural light.
Many of 2016’s innovative design trends are achievable and easy to implement with positive effects Start your office transformation this year with one of the UK’s leading room partition specialists. Call Applied Workplace to find out more about office partitioning on 01202 577 776 or Email Us to speak to our team today.