The Office Design Trends for 2023
Looking back at the global events that took place in the most recent years, there’s no doubt the impact on the way of working has been notable and will continue to evolve throughout the upcoming ones. The office space concept of 2023 will be way different than the 2020 one, as diverse and new needs have taken over the workplace scene.
Employers are now looking at what employees want and are trying to meet their requests where possible, focusing on creating an attractive post-pandemic workplace culture.
2023’s workplace trends will have a deeper impact on employees’ well-being and productivity, which are by now considered determining factors to attract and retain top talents.
Hybrid Workplaces
Back in the days, jobs were deeply linked to in-office buildings and the physical presence within the company was taken for granted. Now, with the increase of remote working possibilities, workers want a reason to attend the office: they want their time there to be more purposeful and productive.
Professionals have realized the benefits of remote work and it has become clear that this trend is expected to stay. That’s why the hybrid model has entered the scene, representing a blend of in-office and remote working: workers expect more from the office environment than they did before, looking for what they cannot access at home.
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In terms of workplace design, businesses can now rethink the office layouts to accommodate smaller capacities (as they don’t need to inhabit as many employees all at once anymore) and re-invest in new features providing amenities that improve employees’ performance.
The rise of hybrid working will have a massive influence on how the office space will look like throughout 2023, as – despite the increasing numbers of remote workers – the workplace will still be an essential part of a business’ structure and will need to be redefined as a destination for socializing and community building. As a result, companies will need to maximize their available space to support this new type of interaction.
Sustainability
Designing an environmentally responsible space improves the quality of life at work and businesses are now committed to prioritizing the health and safety of their people.
Employers are taking into consideration new ways to make the office more energy-efficient and worker-friendly, and their focus onto sustainability is going to have a major impact within the 2023 workplace design trends.
About 40% of annual global carbon dioxide emissions come from buildings and construction, meaning that – to be sustainable – a building needs to meet certain standards, like the WELL Building Standard that focuses on the holistic well-being of its inhabitants and aims to deliver more thoughtful spaces improving the quality of water, light, and air.
Employees also expect businesses to reduce their carbon footprint through initiatives that can be supported through sustainable office design, like investing in renewable energy sources, green appliances, low-emission materials and LED lighting, which will for sure put more expectation on contractors to understand how to design a sustainable and more eco-conscious office space.
Smart Offices
Technology has become part of our daily working life and its advantages are going to keep growing, making physical offices even more accessible.
The “smart office” concept brings together technology, data and workplace design in order to allow more informed design-related decisions.
An example is the human-centric smart lighting (HCL) system, which creates lighting that mimics natural daylight improving employees’ concentration and work performance, or the desk booking features that can determine the office’s occupancy rate with a direct connection on the workplace layout design.
Also, many companies are introducing Artificial Intelligence to automate daily tasks and save up employees’ time for more meaningful work, and Virtual Reality to create immersive training experiences and allow employees to collaborate in virtual spaces and simulate real-world scenarios which can provide a more engaging learning experience.
Multi-modal Design
Another increasing design trend for 2023 id the multi-mode design. Companies are willing to create different types of spaces capable of accommodating a variety of working styles and preferences, like flexible seating options, standing desks, lounge chairs, as well as offering private spaces for focused work.
Additionally, many businesses are incorporating multi-use furniture into their office designs to maximize space and create a more efficient work environment. The multi-modal design concept allows companies to provide an office space that is both comfortable and productive.
Natural Elements
Due to an always increasing interest in multisensory biophilic design, 2023 will see many companies improving the natural element within the office space. Introducing natural sounds, scents and light into the workspace, together with plants and plant-wall installations, will allow the employees to feel more comfortable and connected to nature.
Open Environments and Movable Furniture
Open-office environments encourage communication, socialization, cross-team collaboration and convey a sense of spaciousness and versatility. In addition, the open-space concept allows high levels of flexibility in designing the layout, which – paired with movable furniture solutions – can help employees to move around and work in a dynamic environment.
Amenities and Entertainment Zones
As a result of adapting the office space to remote and hybrid work possibilities, businesses have the chance to refurbish remaining vacant areas with spaces dedicated to employees’ work-life balance, investing in reservable amenities to support socialization and relieve stress.
With the help of a better layout design, the office can become a feel-good place that promotes self-care, boosts focus and evoke a sense of belonging among the employees. Making space available for entertainment areas, like sports rooms and leisure zones, elevate the positive working atmosphere and help strengthening the company culture.