5 Office Design Trends That Are Here To Stay

The world of office design stands still for no one and if you want to prevent your firm from getting left behind, it’s important to stay up to speed with all the latest advances. With this in mind, here are five of the latest office design trends that you can rest assured are here to stay.   1) Greater emphasis on collaboration   One major change in many workspaces over recent years has been a move towards greater integration and collaboration. One of the firms leading the charge in this respect is technology giant Apple. It is currently in the process of constructing a huge O-shaped building as its new headquarters in California. The space will house around 14,000 employees and it is being designed to facilitate more interaction between colleagues. Staff members will be encouraged to move around the vast open plan campus rather than restrict themselves to one small area within it. Companies increasingly believe that this more dynamic approach helps to improve communication.   2) A focus on creating distinct zones   Another major trend concerns the inclusion of different zones within offices. These separate areas are designed to cater for different working styles and they often include quiet spaces where personnel can go to concentrate and louder areas where employees can hold informal meetings and discussions. A classic example can be found in the BBC’s new Broadcasting House headquarters in London. The office features large units designed in the style of American diner booths where staff can have chance meetings.   3) The inclusion of recreational areas   Recreational areas are becoming more common in offices too, and they are particularly popular among companies that expect their workers to put in long hours. From table tennis to video games and even bowling alleys, a growing range of extras are available in workspaces to help people let off steam and socialise with their colleagues. Meanwhile, the new White Collar Factory commercial premises, which is currently under construction and is set to open in London next year, will feature a running track to help workers burn energy and stay in shape.   4) Less hierarchical layouts   Offices are typically less hierarchical in layout than they used to be. In the past, it was common for managers to have their own personal offices that separated them from other workers, with the ultimate status symbol for bosses being the cherished corner office. However, companies are moving away from this model in favour of greater cooperation between colleagues. Now, it is common for managers to mingle with other workers in open plan areas.   5) Fewer desks   Yet another major trend is the move towards having fewer desks within offices. Thanks to more flexible working patterns, many companies no longer need to have all their staff members within their buildings at once, meaning they simply don’t need as many workstations. Meanwhile, by removing some desks, businesses can make room for features like breakout zones that help to give their offices a more dynamic look and feel.   Of course, you might not want to adopt all or indeed any of these design innovations for your own office, but it’s important to be aware of the options.