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Six Emerging Workplace Design Influences in 2018 by Adina 邱天美 Environmental Psychologist
With increasing globalization, companies around the world started paying more attention to their employees' well-being, since the working environment is changing fast to instigate a new set of trends focused on themes of creativity, community and conscientiousness. Efficiency-based office environments like open spaces with cubicles, for example, are slowly being replaced with offices that promote sustainability, community, diversity and lifestyle. So what design influences will be shaping the workplace in 2018? In this article I will share with you 6 of the emerging trends when it comes to workplace design this year.
CELEBRATE COMMUNITIES In the spirit of sustainability, designers are becoming more aware of the need to reuse and refurbish existing
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buildings, as well as of saving elements of interior architecture that reflect unique parts of that building, renovating them into more creative workplaces. By connecting new work culture in a meaningful way to the collective identity of the location, community and brand, designers are creating authenticity in the workplace all over the world. As a result, designers are able to connect remnants of the past with the elements of the current era, and create more memorable, personalized working spaces. This presents a creative juxtaposition celebrating the old and new within working spaces around the world. The desire to embrace and understand history adds an interesting dialogue to the design process as people connect with the authenticity and uniqueness once hidden in century-old buildings.
GLOBAL INSPIRATIONS Because technology allows us to be instantly connected to images and projects taking place all over the world, designers are finding more inspiration around the globe. In 2017, hygge, the Danish word for cozy, became more prevalent in the workplace as people sought more informal and residential work environments. In 2018, a Japanese aesthetic based off nature and imperfection, called wabi-sabi, is an influence resurfacing in the workplace.
BIOPHILIA 2.0 When we’re surrounded by digital tools all day long, we yearn for a connection to nature. Biophilia, the principle that human beings have an innate desire to connect and bond with nature, is experiencing an increasing demand
