How millennials are influencing office design

There’s no denying that workplace design is evolving at a rapid pace. Luckily, uninviting offices with cramped cubicles and stuffy décor have now been replaced by more flexible, open workspaces that put a greater emphasis on health and happiness. In fact, companies now seem to have a better awareness of how the design of a workplace impacts its employees than ever before. The transformation of the modern office, particularly in recent years, can be attributed largely to the influence of a new generation of workers known as millennials. In order to attract and retain the very best new talent, businesses now know that they need to keep on top of new trends and adapt the work environment to reflect their younger staff member’s needs. Read on to find out more about how millennials are influencing office design. Health-conscious values In the last decade or so, there has been plenty of research to suggest that long hours spent at the office can have a detrimental effect on our health. It should be no surprise then, that today’s young employees are far more health-conscious than their predecessors and, as a result, are looking for workspaces that promote both physical and mental wellbeing. One of the easiest ways to create a healthy work environment is by making sure that the office has plenty of space and natural light. Even small details such as choosing colours that can have a positive effect on mood are now being considered as an important part of interior design for the workplace. Bringing nature indoors with plants and green walls is another trend that is helping to foster a healthy work life, while on-site gyms and other leisure facilities are also becoming increasingly popular. Ergonomically designed furniture that encourages good posture and staves off aches and pains has long been a staple for modern offices. However, companies are now investing more money in higher quality, more comfortable and convenient desks and chairs to boost staff health and improve morale. Flexible workspaces Another main priority for today's new generation of job-seekers is flexible working. In fact, static desk jobs are becoming less favoured as we see a shift towards more unconventional, mobile working styles. In other words, millennials want to be able to work where and when they want rather than being chained to their desk from nine to five. Many offices are now designed with fluid work areas that allow for movement and spontaneity. For example, many business are now employing a ‘hot desk’ system where employees can choose where they work rather than having their own personal desk. The increased demand for mobile and modular furniture also reflects this flexible working trend, allowing for offices to be rearranged and reconfigured to suit changing needs. Famous tech giants such as Google and Facebook are also paving the way for a more casual office environment by designing their headquarters with a range of flexible work spaces. As a result, having both collaborative open plan spaces as well as private, quiet areas is becoming much more visible in today’s offices with studies showing that it can help to bolster productivity. The latest technology With the ever-increasing advancements that are being made in the tech-sphere, it only makes sense that the younger generation want to see the latest gadgets at work. Although technology is not a design-trend in itself, it’s certainly influencing the way companies think about creating the areas where we work. Even businesses that aren’t directly related to technology are now incorporating the latest mod-cons into their workspaces, such as wireless keyboards, dual monitors and smart boards. Personal laptops, tablets and smartphones are also playing a more important role at the office. Mobile technology means that workers are less restricted to centralised workstations and static meeting rooms and instead can move around the office and do work on-the-go. As technology becomes smaller and more mobile, our workspace too is becoming more compact. For example, today there is less need to have designated meeting rooms or furniture that accommodates for sprawling computer monitors and telephones. A focus on social responsibility Another way companies are appealing to the millennial mindset is by moving their attention away from profits and more towards social responsibility. Today, a lot of young workers want to share values with their employers and be part of a corporation that places emphasis on people and the environment and not just revenue. For this reason, many businesses are now taking efforts to show an awareness for social and environmental impact and sustainability when designing the workplace. By showing corporate social responsibility through office design, it demonstrates to their employees that their needs are being taken into account, which in turn can increase loyalty and job satisfaction. Greater emphasis on fun Finally, an emphasis on fun and downtime has become far more prevalent at work in recent years thanks to millennial influence. In fact, some of the world’s most modern and forward-thinking companies are attempting to blur the line between work and home in a bid to make the office a less depressing place to be. However, you don’t necessarily need giant slides or adult scooters to appeal to the millennial generation. You’ll often find that companies that have a high percentage of employees in their 20s will include more communal spaces with recreational activities like table tennis and console games. Having informal areas like this helps to encourage workers to take regular breaks from work, relax and socialise with colleagues. While many people may think that this is counterproductive, studies have shown that having down time at work can actually help to improve staff happiness and bolster productivity and engagement in the long run. These are just a handful of examples of how millennials are leading the way for a healthier, more flexible and comfortable work environment. While of course there are a number of other factors driving this change, there’s no getting around the fact that the office needs to constantly adapt and evolve to meet the interests and needs of this important age group.