Modern Working Styles and Their Impact On Office Designs

This article looks into how modern working styles have an impact on the design of office interiors. With many businesses adopting a new working style, it has become imperative for leading design firms to design the interiors with the people working there in mind. Convenience and comfort will need to be an important factor to be taken into consideration whilst designing the office interiors as research has shown that it will help increase employee productivity which will in turn benefit the organization.

A good office design is no longer just an option but a necessity as it can play an important part in the success of the organization. It can help create a productive and pleasant environment which eventually leads to business success. Although a well-designed office may cost a bit more initially, experts opinion is that a lot of time gets wasted through an office that doesn’t function properly and that leads to frustration as it can hamper the most basic tasks and if employees aren’t happy then low morale will lead to low productivity. Offices designed correctly can help solve these problems. A well designed office/workplace can energize a workforce just by providing the employees with a flexible way of working.

Most employees around the world, especially in the UK and the US spend approximately 90% of their working hours indoors. Out of them many are at a computer desk away from any window. A general perception is that lack of natural light can have a negative impact on the mood and productivity of an employee, thus both the employer and its employees would benefit greatly from exposure to natural light. The working styles in the corporate world have changed. Modernization is creeping through and having an impact on office designs. These days, office designs have surpassed the conventional workspace. Gone are the days when cubicles used to be all over the office, as modern layouts and some new concepts are replacing them. The workstations are now in an open space allowing more employee interaction. Today, an environment is being created with the office interior designs that promotes efficiency, spurs creativity and builds teamwork amongst the employees.

Today’s office designs have another effect of modern working styles, i.e. break-out spaces. These spaces aren’t only somewhere where employees can have their refreshments; they are also an area where an employee can go to take a break away from their desk, which can help creativity. Non bookable breakout spaces form an integral part of modern office designs as they create a place for informal chats or just a change away from the desk. Such spaces eliminate barriers to communication and boost morale in the office. Another vital aspect of office design and layout is the consideration for natural light and ventilation. Several studies have even shown how there is an increase in productivity with natural light and it also lessens eye fatigue and complaints about headaches.

Over the past decade, modern workplaces have been transformed with employees sharing desks and collective spaces, allowing organizations to save both space and cut costs. Hot Desking or a ‘living room’ environment is a term that is widely used nowadays. Here, you can select the way you want to work and not get locked to a desk any more. Modern working styles have now adopted the theory of using informal spaces full of couches and soft furniture to help employees relax. Today, people long for flexibility, choice and a good designed workplace which has propelled many designing firms to incorporate modern working styles when designing office interiors.

Sachin Boradia is the Managing Director at Transcend Design Consultants, a leading interior design consultancy providing Interior Design Services to customers in India.