According to Isla Galloway-Gaul, CEO of Ditulo Office Engineers, and an expert in office design with over two decades of experience in the industry, this years exhibitors primarily concentrated on design that centres around teamwork and flexibility. Technological solutions for the office of the future were also high on the agenda – with things such as intelligent high-tech furniture, cutting edge media technology and smart surfaces making an appearance.
So what does the on-trend office for 2017 ahead look like? Galloway-Gaul highlights some of the primary trends that emerged.
“As reiterated at Orgatec, the boundaries between fixed workstations and communal areas are becoming more and more blurred and the shift of modern work environments towards a culture of collaboration continues to be on the increase. This means that office furnishings need to be more multifunctional than ever before, with clever furnishing solutions that must adapt to meet the given requirements. Developing areas that can be easily adapted to suit changing requirements, such as an impromptu brainstorming session or breakaway sessions with colleagues, is an essential element of workspace design in 2017 and beyond.”
Flexible office must-have: Galloway-Gaul advises that product lines such as FRAME_S from Austrian office furniture brand Bene and Epik Co-space by South African brand RAW have been created to address this trend. “Frame_S is a system of wall-mounted flexible workstations and shielded team zones that can be customised for a variety of spaces and settings, which allows for changing things up as and when you need to.”
“Epik Co-space includes multi-functional semi-private pods which can be customised for brainstorming, meetings, and connected work or changed for breakaway functions for groups and individuals.”
According to the NeoCon Furniture Fair 2016, which took place in Chicago, one of the dominant office space colours for the year ahead is pink.
“Whilst pink is one of those colours than some people are not sure about – and particularly in a business environment - it does bring a fresh and optimistic feel to an interior,” says Galloway Gaul. “Light dusty pink pairs beautifully with greens as well as with copper and gold. Dusty pink and charcoal colours make for a modern pairing, and warm wood furniture maintains an urban mood. On the other end of the scale there is hot pink, which combines well with grey and really stands out in any décor scheme.”
If painting the walls in your office pink is not an option, then Galloway-Gaul recommend accents of pink, which is an effective way to introduce this happy colour. “Pink feels right for today’s less conventional, more quirky and welcoming office interiors,” adds Galloway-Gaul.
Pink office must-have: The Bene Bay chair, which is available in pale dusty pink.
Workspaces that take rapidly evolving technology and its requirements into account are a design trend that is on the rise.
“We can expect to see wireless charging points for devices becoming commonplace. Office furniture with built-in power adapters and multimedia capabilities have been seen in well designed and flexible work environments and going forward this will become the norm not the exception. Other technological revelations from Orgatec 2016 included desks with surfaces that charge cell phones and laptops via induction, a computer monitor that disappears without a trace into the desk top, and a new climate chair with a heating and ventilation function integrated into the seat and back.”
Technology trend must-have: The Humanscale M/Connect, which is a USB, dual-video docking station that is a unique innovation which merges ergonomics and technology. M/Connect sits on the desk top while the dock stays below the desk surface. The majority of cables are connected under the desk, providing a clean look and instant accessibility to high-speed charging ports.
Whilst the new breed of open-plan workspace is evolving and sees open plan areas shared, in all working environments there is still the need for private break-away zones and quiet rooms.
“Acoustics play a role here as noise within open spaces can become a problem,” advises Galloway-Gaul. “Orgatec reiterated this with much focus being placed on acoustic design and the use of modern noise-dulling materials.”
Private space must-have: Bene has launched what is essentially a room within a room called the NOOXS Think Tank. NOOXS has high sound absorption, integrated ventilation and lighting, complete technical infrastructure and a high degree of comfort – all of which creates effective temporary private areas in open spaces. Glass elements provide visual lightness, and curtains and blinds offer screening when needed.
Buzzispace have a range of acoustic solutions such as the Buzzitwist which is a sound absorbing curved screen which serves as a free standing room divider.
“The office of 2017 will continue to focus on the well-being and health (WEALTH) of employees and things such as sit-stand desks, monitor arms and of course a quality chair remain ergonomic necessities,” says Galloway-Gaul.
Well-being and productivity must-haves: The Float, QuickStand and QuickStand Lite Sit/Stand desks from Humanscale, as well as a Humanscale Monitor Arm, which not only promotes a clutter-free workspace, but also supports a healthier, more ergonomic working posture.
Galloway-Gaul says that bringing the outdoors inside is an office trend that she believes is here to stay. “With many people spending more than eight hours a day in the office, and with it forming a nucleus in most people’s lives, there are clear benefits to bringing more natural elements into the workplace.”
“The greening of our offices plays an increasingly huge role in our physical and psychological well being. Plants can be especially important in open plan offices because they can be used to help define space and create zones of calm - helping everybody to be more productive at work.”
Green office must-have: Buzzispace have produced design elements of the outdoors to be used in offices – such as the BuzziJungle with its soothing tropical palm-frond backdrop that allows employees to take some time out and to interact socially.
