As the landscape of work continues to evolve, so too do the needs and expectations of the workforce.
With Millennials and Generation Z beginning to assert their dominance as demographic groups within the workplace, businesses are fast adapting to cater to the unique preferences of these tech-savvy and socially conscious generations - a seachange to the world of work that was in progress before, but has undoubtedly accelerated in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Already long gone (at least, long gone in the DesignTonic world!) are the days of monotonous layouts and drab décor, replaced by plans and schemes that are creative, innovative and inspiring - ones which embrace the blend of flexibility, collaboration and wellbeing that our own team strive for with every project.
But what does the future hold for office design? What do we see as the emerging trends that will allow businesses to meet the needs of younger demographics, seeking vibrant and engaging work environments that fuel their productivity, creativity and overall employee satisfaction?
Task completion is key
In the months after the post-pandemic return to work, there was some concern that the days of the office were numbered.
But it seems that a slow initial uptake in people opting to come back into the office was a temporary thing, driven more by safety worries and readjustment issues than a permanent desire to work from home the majority of the time.
When asked what they need most from a work setting, many younger people cite the technology they need to be their most productive - fast wifi, the latest desktops and laptops and noise cancelling headphones topping the list in OKTRA’s latest research.
But most importantly, they want spaces that are primed for task completion.
From distraction-free zones for focus-based work through informal meeting spaces where they can interact with and learn from more experienced colleagues to collaborative areas where minds can come together and thrive, the future office will facilitate productive and rewarding work on tasks of all types.
Me Space + We Space = your Future Proof Office
So the ideal future office contains spaces that cater for work of all kinds. But in what ratio?
It’s easy for a workplace to swing too far towards a collaborative environment, especially those reimagined in the phase following the pandemic when some believed that people would choose their homes to be productive and their office to be social.
Instead, figures point to a strong desire from Millenials and Gen Z for a smart mix of “Me Space” and “We Space” - a split between private, isolated workspaces, a coffee shop-style atmosphere and a “library” feel, with touchdown desking and low-level background noise.
The key, as we know, lies in creating an overall space that gives the control of what, where and how they work to your staff.
Working solo? Private phone boxes and partitioned, acoustically-protected pods are incredibly effective for times when they need to shut themselves away from the bustle of work, dig in and attain some deep focus.
An informal meeting or learning opportunity?
Booth seating that’s cleverly separated and screened, particularly with planting, makes for an ergonomic and aesthetic solution for smaller groups and one-on-ones.
A coffee shop space is a wonderful place for creative collaboration, encouraging that sharing of ideas and inspirations that sees the best innovations conceived.
And, for times when brains just need a little downtime to recuperate and recharge, a dedicated breakout zone offers the crucial degree of separation from work - a home-from-home where employees can relax and come together outside of their responsibilities.
Wellbeing rules - but not all workplaces are delivering…
Our workplace wellbeing matters to us all but, while older staff have seen wellbeing come to the fore as a priority in the more recent years of their careers, the younger generations have different expectations.
More open and vocal about mental health and more conscious of their work-life balance, these are people who’ve grown up with always-on tech and the need to set boundaries.
So they strive for greater flexibility, and they value supportive environments that are designed to provide them with the resources they need to function and flourish - environments which offer a good balance of spaces to enable them to control the “what, how and where” of how they complete their tasks in the office.
And those employers who cater well for wellbeing are handsomely rewarded.
Research consistently shows that employees who feel supported at work are more engaged, productive and successful for their employers.
Viewed not just as more caring, but also as more socially responsible and purpose-driven, these companies are able to attract and retain the best talent more easily than their competitors.
And outside the office, a positive reputation for employee well-being can also have a strong impact on the organisation's reputation and brand.
Yet OKTRA’s findings showed that only two thirds of those surveyed felt that their office was successfully delivering on the wellbeing front.
One of our clients who’s leading the way on the wellbeing front is Charlton Morris.
Having introduced a 4-day working week, they recently invited us back to work on their expansion across another floor of their fabulous City Centre premises - a project which saw us incorporate a whole range of wellbeing-focused zones, from a stunning company bar through Co-Lab areas and private phone booths to a dedicated Zen Room.
Learn more about our latest work for Charlton Morris
6 ways to up your Workplace Wellness game
We’ve already covered our number one way to deliver on the workplace wellbeing front by creating the perfect blend of private, collaborative and breakout space within your office layout - but here are 6 more ways you can design the perfect supportive environment for your staff:
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Light and bright…
Natural light has a positive impact on mood, productivity, and overall well-being, so maximise the free flow of light throughout your space and provide views to the outdoors whenever possible.
Enhance what natural illumination you’ve got with carefully planned ambient, task and feature lighting that can be adjusted to different levels, allowing employees to control the brightness according to their preferences.
See our blog “Bright Sparks” for our expert take on lighting your office
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Biophilia!
Surprise!* Greenery has been shown to reduce stress and increase productivity, so bring lots and lots of natural elements into the office space, from standing plants to green walls and living partitions.
* We LOVE a bit of biophilia here at DesignTonic :)
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Make it comfy
Help prevent musculoskeletal issues and promote good posture with ergonomic seating in soft, plush fabrics, high quality furniture and well-designed support for tech items, from monitor stands to footrests.
And let’s not forget the overall working environment! Good air quality and temperature control can significantly impact productivity and well-being, so adjustable temperature controls and access to fresh air are a must.
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Keep it down…
Acoustic comfort is incredibly important in the workplace, with noisy offices shown to increase stress and anxiety and reduce productivity. Using smart sound absorption, like the brilliant range produced by our friends at Agile Acoustics, minimises distractions and creates a quieter environment to help everyone stay calm and focused.
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Feed body and mind…
Asked what amenities they rated most highly, OKTRA’s respondents picked free fruit and snacks and good coffee above everything else, so a well-equipped kitchen and a good coffee machine are worthwhile investments for happy staff.
And, as mentioned above, a coffee shop-style area is one of the three key environments that young employees seek out - the perfect space to collaborate, socialise and foster a sense of community within your organisation.
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Promote physical and mental wellness
And finally, if room allows, encouraging staff to prioritise their physical wellbeing with fitness facilities and their mental wellbeing with calming spaces is a wonderful way to show your commitment to helping maintain a healthy work-life balance.
