The Future of the Office
4 Must Haves - Office Edition
I have seen many of our clients excited to reinvent the way they work. I have been dedicated to co-creating with them a post-covid work environment that will help companies realize their vision for the future, serve their clients better, and strengthen their teams. I hope you enjoy my list of must-haves for the future office. Let's Dive in.
1. A Resimercial Moment
The days of sterile and standardized corporate environments are long gone. That boring drab flourecent-lit office won't cut it anymore. Resimercial is a design style that brings the homey feel of residential furniture into the workplace. It combines commercial quality with a cozy residential vibe. It makes the space feel comfortable and inviting. Your team and clients will love to hang out in your office. In this project we created living room break-out areas with throw pillows, plants, and area rugs. Part of your team will use this for informal meetings and others will use this to take a break from their desk. These spaces become coveted extensions of your home.
2. Something new, something borrowed, something blue.
This old wedding adage is something we really take to heart. As people we are not one-liners and neither are our businesses or brands. So our spaces shouldn’t be either. Through our Biographical Design process we uncover the full depth of your story to design a space that is deeply reflective of your brand.
In this project we wanted to blend our client’s optimistic vision for her future with her long established company history. We wanted the space to evoke a feeling of trust and stability as well as youthful spirit. To do this we used a variety of materials, textures, and furnishings to tell the whole story of their brand. Each element comes together to create the mood.
3. Your break room should be as nice as your conference room.
It is said that the kitchen is the heart of the home and it's also the heart of the future office. Similarly to a home kitchen, an office kitchen is a space where team members can casually interact and collaborate. It's also the place where your team will celebrate a birthday or milestone. It shows your employees that they're valuable to you. Having a ‘baller’ conference room and a crapy break room is like having a very nice dining room that you only use when you have guests over while your kids sleep on the floor. Your team is the most valuable part your organization. Act like it. Consider free coffee and pastries as an employee perk.
4. Collaborative Work Areas
With the quickly changing work conditions it's important to allow for flexible working area. We love reclaiming traditional cubicle areas and transforming them into collaborative work tables and casual meeting zones. In the office we designed above we wanted to foster collaboration and engagement. So we created the areas for that type of interaction to unfold.
