Macro trend: Flexibility

The rise of remote workers and the gig economy has contributed to organisations that change size as the need arises. Teams may grow as new projects are won, shrink as companies downsize, or reconfigure as organisational structures change. It's difficult to predict what a company will look like or what resources it will need in three years time. Increased turbulence due to a variety of disruptive trends means that only companies willing to transform themselves will thrive or even survive. The need for workforce flexibility means that flexible floor plates and adaptable furniture within them are an asset in the office.

Fit-outs that change with the needs of the business offer a level of future proofing that can provide peace of mind as well as financial savings. Demand is increasing for these solutions from both facilities managers managing a budget and end users who appreciate the ease of use.

Based on this trend, designers are creating modular furniture settings that can be easily moved, disassembled and reconfigured as needs dictate. Mini office settings and freestanding meeting areas can be set up as required. Settings can be configured and reconfigured based on individual preferences for work style – whether for collaboration or focus work. Ideally workers need to be able to easily make these changes themselves, as the need arises throughout their day.

The rise in agile working is also helping to strengthen this trend. Office space must be designed and built to fit the agile culture and work style of the organisation using it.

Although the open plan office is contentious it’s a key part of achieving the flexibility sought in the workplace. A large proportion of those against it complain of noise issues and lost privacy when they're trying to focus. These issues are easy to solve, especially if careful planning takes place. It may be a hot topic now, but we predict its continuation – hopefully with pressure to address and solve the underlying environmental issues. There are already so many easy and cost effective solutions available that offer the benefits of the open office without the drawbacks.

A proviso: the intent behind an open office must be more than mere cost saving – there has to be a desire to promote the benefits of collaboration and flexibility whilst still offering people choice. Again, the culture and work styles of the organisation must drive the change.

Examples in action:

• At Microsoft headquarters employees and executives work together in large, shared rooms called “neighbourhoods.” Walls literally came down and each team works from its own large, open common room - one they were invited to customize to their liking. Each team also has dedicated focus and meeting rooms.
• Architect Janet Pogue McLaurin, principal at Gensler, has designed dozens of prominent corporate offices. She says "One of the most fascinating things we found in the Gensler survey is that the best open-plan space—if you solve for attributes like noise management and access to people and resources—can be just as effective as a private office."

Macro trend: Community

In a volatile world that is not without social, political and cultural upheaval – think Brexit, walls between nations and refugee crises - it’s encouraging to see signs of a trend towards community in our workplaces.

Many of us spend up to 40 hours per week at work, and so it makes sense that the workplace will become its own community. Providing shared areas such as green spaces, recreation areas and communal eating spaces in the workplace allows employees to come together and enjoy each other’s company. Social spaces are shown to increase collaboration, foster interaction and help break down silos that can exist within an organization by encouraging communication. Not coincidentally, this is all also good for the health and wellness of employees. Micro trends such as resimercial design and blurred indoor-outdoor transitions have evolved in part due to the need to create a greater sense of community in the workplace.

Even remote working – which by its very nature takes place away from the main work hub, is seeking a sense of community. Destinations such as Impact Hub offer a defacto community for those who work remotely but still seek the camaraderie and creative stimulation missing in a home office set up. A growing number of U.S. states are offering economic incentives to lure remote workers to rebuild communities that could use an infusion of creativity, people, and resources.

Building a sense of community can also mean looking beyond the workplace, as organisations seek to connect with their broader communities via sponsorships, volunteer work and sharing facilities and skills.

Examples in action:

• HGA’s Santa Monica Office includes the Euclid gallery space to provide inspiration for all employees and visitors, while also allowing for a welcoming community space for cultural & community events. The space is designed to be both a community hub for the people who work there and for the broader art loving community.
• Fortune’s Most Admired Company listand the Dow Jones Sustainability Index have created links between an organisation’s financial performance and its citizenship record.