Work environments are constantly evolving; remaining rooted in past tendencies is no recipe for success in the current labor market. The design of office spaces is changing and some innovative trends are already starting to be widely adopted. Given that our tools, as well as the ways in which we work have been changing over time, it is only normal to expect that our office spaces should also be evolving. The spaces in which we work must necessarily evolve to adapt themselves to our modern work environments.
Office Space Trends for 2017
Office spaces are conditioned by the type of work to be conducted within them. At the present moment – as opposed to any other time in history – the type of work being done is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary. Moreover, there is a higher degree of employee mobility as well as shorter response times than ever before. It could be said that this transformation to our work spaces is due in large part – as was previously mentioned – to the evolving relationships between people and the tools we use to do our work.
- Office space design. When designing the layout of an office space, something to keep in mind is that it should promote creativity and cooperation within the company. Office spaces have gone from being divided into private cubicles to open spaces devoid of any partitions – precisely in order to stimulate conversation between employees. By eliminating certain barriers and creating open spaces, some boundaries between employees have also been broken – improving the flow of ideas. Another key factor is the design itself. Design is not only about decoration or furniture, it is also about projecting the organization’s brand image and informing clients about the company’s objectives.
- Cultural change. The concept of the 21st century office is not limited to the physical office space nor to its design. There are other factors which are even more important to employees such as a certain freedom in their movements and their work hours. Workers also highly value the ability to do much of their work from home, making the workplace less relevant in certain cases.
- Coworking. These workplaces are a departure from the conventional conception of offices. They are places where different people come to work, often not belonging to the same company nor doing the same type of work. What the workers who use coworking spaces have in common is that they share the same office space as well as its resources (such as lights, internet connection, water cooler, photocopier, etc.). These types of workplaces are capable of promoting collaboration between workers as well as the exchange of ideas.
- Custom solutions. Someone might not have the financial resources needed to pay for a coworking space, however it is always possible for them to rent a work space for a short period of time in order to hold a meeting or work in a team for example. For these occasions, a person could make use of the virtual office spaces located in major business centers which can be rented on a monthly basis or in function of one’s needs. Another solution, one offered by Worktel, is the ability to quickly and easily reserve work spaces or meeting rooms in order to hold meetings or to work in a relaxing environment.
Without a doubt, many changes have been taking place in 21st century offices and slowly but surely, these changes are being acknowledged and assimilated by large companies and independent workers alike.
WORKTEL is the first platform allowing professionals to book workspaces and meeting rooms in hundred of hotels, business centers and Co-working spaces all over the world.
