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With a new year just around the corner, it’s only natural to take time to both reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. For architects and designers, that means thinking about the next big design trends. Here are a few trends we expect to see in workplace design in 2017.
Spending several hours a day at work doesn’t have to mean feeling cut off from the outside world. Incorporating greenery into the workplace through things like living plant walls was a big office design trend in 2016 that shows no signs of slowing down. Not only are plants visually appealing and help workers feel rejuvenated and connected to nature, they impact employee wellness by improving the air quality. We loved creating our moss wall at NeoCon 2016, and we expect to see many other companies including greenery in their office plans.
Technology is an indispensable part of our lives, both at work and at home. However, that doesn’t mean we want the spaces we live and work in to be cluttered with cords and cables. With wireless charging technology on the rise and the increasing availability of furniture that allows for seamless integration with technology, we expect smart and connected spaces to become the norm in workplaces around the world in 2017.
Workplaces are constantly growing and evolving, so it makes sense to design for the needs of tomorrow. We expect easy-to-move furniture and adjustable layouts will be incorporated into office design to accommodate the evolving needs of the workplace. In the same vein, furniture that can be adapted to serve different purposes will also be in high demand.
Another major trend from 2016 we expect to continue into 2017 is embracing the third place. The third place is an area of the workplace designed more similarly to a café or lounge than a traditional office. Separate from permanent workstations, the third place offers a relaxed, informal environment for workers to either work alone when desired or collaborate with others. A well-designed third place becomes an in-office retreat, providing workers with the change of scenery they need to spark inspiration while allowing them to avoid the inconveniences that can come with working away from the office, like lack of connectivity and fewer amenities.
Color is a very powerful aspect of office design, and we think designers will embrace it like never before in 2017. Whether it’s using color to enhance company branding or applying color psychology to inspire and engage workers, color in the workplace will be a new focus in upcoming year. Thanks to new programs that make customization easier than ever before, like the Coalesse Color program and the LessThanFive Customizer tool, designers can bring color into the office new and exciting ways.
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