Designers and renovators tasked with bringing a corporate office into the 21st century needn't panic. Remodelling workspaces can be fun and easy, as long as you have the right knowledge and pay attention to current trends. Check out these tips to follow when considering your next office interior design job.
Open plan or closed offices?
The debate between having an open plan office or keeping things behind closed doors continues to rage. A recent Knoll research paper explored these differences, finding both positives and negatives to each design.
The study found the preference for open or closed workspaces is closely linked to work style and the line of work individuals perform. For example, collaborative computer programmers favour open plan workstations with panels to provide privacy when required.
Workers who require high levels of concentration free from distraction tend to favour a private office with a door, or an open plan environment with high panels separating different work stations.
If you are designing a modern open-plan office, there are several factors you should consider in your process. Noise can be a big issue in open plan offices, however this can be mitigated by specially designed acoustic-muffling ceiling tiles, flooring and panels between work stations.
Privacy and distractions are also issues in open-plan offices. Workers should have some level of control over workspace, whether it's an adjustable panel between desks to indicate a desire for privacy or the ability to privately listen to music while working on a task.
Designated meeting and video conference areas
Open plan workplaces often mean there are fewer private spaces in which to conduct meetings, group work and video conferences.
When designing an office, make sure you factor in several of these spaces to allow employees space to work without the distraction of others. These rooms should have doors and be relatively soundproof, as they may be required for disciplinary meetings and interviews.
These room should, however, have an aura of calm and peace about them to avoid agitating and stressing workers who are called into them. Paint walls in soft, soothing colours like Resene Opal and keep furnishings neutral and comforting.
Make sure these rooms are adequately equipped with WiFi connections and television jacks, as well as phone outlets and plenty of electrical sockets. These areas often become technology hubs as interviews and meetings are conducted with people from all over the world.
Biophilic design
Biophilia describes the human response to nature, and many people believe biophilic design can cause an upsurge in productivity and decrease in stress. Incorporate this into an office by adding skylights to let more natural light into the space, add pot plants and water features like koi ponds to enhance the natural effect.
Large windows can also help to let in light, while providing workers with fresh air. Utilise any outdoor spaces the building has and set up a courtyard with a low-maintenance Japanese garden for workers to enjoy during their breaks.
Colour statements
Bold pops of colour are increasingly making their way into our offices, on everything from walls to rugs and artwork. Chairs, tables and other furniture items look great in bright or unusual colours, and provide a unique point of different.
For a stimulating office environment, try Resene Kitsch as a feature wall paired with more neutral shades of white or cream. The retro-style teal colour is invigorating without being overwhelming, and would work as well in an advertising agency as it would in a computer design suite.
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