Work, Rest And Play

Flex offices, co-working spaces, teleworking … how we work has changed in the last decade. Here’s our guide to the current trends and how they have affected the way we think, interact and do business.

- Penny McCormick

The stationary personal workstation – complete with desk, chair and computer (with photos of the children) – has been an unavoidable fixture of office landscapes until recently. With the advent of smartphones and laptops the office is becoming mobile – it’s everywhere and nowhere. This de-individualisation of the workstation has led to the ‘flex’ office typically seen in start-ups, with different areas or zones tailored to suit differing needs, within an overall workplace.

Furthermore, architectural codes as seen in hotels, cafes, airport departure lounges, homes and offices have never been as similar as they are today. So much so that we are witnessing the hybridisation of space and design, meaning that the way we work has been turned on its head. Collaborative and nomadic working regimens have become the norm, resulting in the creation of modular spaces rather than the traditional closed office space. Conversely, homes are places for concentration and reflection to counteract this communal working ethos.

Likewise, office demographics are changing, dictating that offices should be designed with inclusion in mind. The design must also factor in two previously non-existent phenomena: the cohabitation of three generations (baby boomers, generations X and Y); and increasingly international teams. These key changes are driving demand for office design that is tailored to employee diversity in terms of capacity, language, culture, gender and age.

Not forgetting, of course, that the demand for sustainable interior design solutions is also being driven by the demand to work in a healthy environment. Employees are increasingly wary of solvents and are keen to breathe clean air. That means priority is placed on furniture that is as good for our health as it is for the environment.

DESKS