The past 20 years alone has featured many changes in how offices are designed, particularly in the tech industry. Some companies installed slides so that they switch from multiple rooms to open office floor plans, others reverted to minimal, warehouse type layouts. Even in Canberra, you might see one or two office buildings whose interior design and office furniture are eclectic and unique.
Nowadays, companies are valuing the concept of work-life balance more than ever. Themes of inclusivity, wellness and sustainability are principles that are becoming more and more prevalent in interior design and office furniture. Spaces are being developed for the well-being of the employees working in it, in ways that are both practical and beautiful
Progressive workplace design is shifting its focus to adaptability and flexibility. Technology and work practices are growing at rapid rates, and companies now need to have some level of adaptability and flexibility in order to ride the waves of these changes. New jobs and functions are being created every day, and without the space to accommodate them, a company might get left behind.
Workers and professionals are benefitting from these changes as well. Performance soars with most employees when a variety of spaces are available to them. A recent survey by company Capital One on Work Environment has shown that 85% of employees find a flexible design important, and 77% claimed that they perform better in flexible spaces.
In addition to having flexible office furniture arrangements, breakout spaces and collaboration spaces, it is important for the design to feature spaces that serve multiple purposes and can be easily reconfigured. Pragmatically speaking, this just means less drywall and fewer pieces of fixed furniture.
The game is changing. Beyond the need for flexibility and adaptability, a trend in measuring workspace optimisation is on the rise. Sensors and other smart building technologies are being used to determine and track how spaces are being used. Everything from movement to ambient temperature is now being considered in the metric of workplace success.
It is no longer about doing as much work in a small space as much as possible, as the practice is now unsustainable. It is about effectiveness —how each individual and the company as a whole can produce meaningful results from their endeavours.
In the same survey by Capital One, workers and professionals surveyed are hoping to see health and wellness features such as on-site gyms, workout areas, dedicated areas for rest and relaxation, plants, healthy snacks and so on. Natural light, in particular, is one of the things incorporated into many offices that place a premium on employee health and wellness.
Companies are finally seeing the common thread in all these design trends: that investing in your employees and workers not only makes them happier; it makes the company more productive and effective. Flexibility and adaptability are the name of the game. It is important to keep abreast of these changes so that you can make the right decisions for your employees.
If you’re looking for office furniture to decorate your new office space with, send us at Aurora Office Furniture a message. We have plenty of options for the flexible workplaces your employees deserve.
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