PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY RICCARDO BRESCIANI
THE FUTURE OF WORK:
How Office Design is Changing By Sara Jensen
I
f you were living in the 1980s, you would be expected to work in cubicles. However, today’s workplace is no longer your dad’s office. Workplace designs are rapidly changing and for the better. Now that 2019 is more than half gone, this is the perfect time to contemplate the future of the workplace. As millennials and Generation Z enter the workforce from college, more and more employees are demanding a fresher, more innovative, and more imaginative work environment that promotes flexibility, creativity, productivity, and well-being.
That means we may be seeing the last of cramped cubicles and grey windowless walls or experiencing sitting at a desk staring mutely at the screen for eight hours.
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Here are some aspects that define the future of the workplace:
FLEXIBLE UNIVERSITY-STYLE SPACE Research suggests that about 82% of fresh-out-of-college workers do not feel comfortable or happy with the traditional office design. At universities, students were allowed to work in libraries, cafes, classrooms, dorms, the garden, and anywhere they wanted. This is why new workers often get lost when they move from their flexible university environment into tightly structured corporate spaces. This results in new recruits
"WORKPLACE DESIGNS ARE RAPIDLY CHANGING AND FOR THE BETTER. "
taking longer to understand the company’s objective and also an increased risk of them leaving the company after a short time. Although two jobs in a year may be acceptable to young workers, it can be a death knell for a new company struggling with high turnover. An engaging workplace experience can be the secret to retaining employees. New workplaces are coming equipped with private places for collaboration, which can offer plenty of opportunities for new hires to work in groups. Modern offices are also offering opportunities to relax and to focus on work and an open plan area for daily work and meal times.
ACTIVE WORKPLACE DESIGN One of the key values that are highlighted in modern workplaces is activity and wellbeing. Health and wellness are a priority for
