Have you ever walked into an office space, and just thought, “Wow, this place has a great vibe!”
Well, that is partly formed by what we call the “Workplace Experience” – as human beings, we are emotive creatures and as such it can be hard to pin point exactly what creates this feeling of warmth and buzz in the physical form, however there are a few factors in where we can see where the notion rises; the quality of the free coffee, providing bike store & shower facilities and supporting agile/flexible working are just a few of many examples of what progressive companies are becoming more and more proactive in when it comes to defining the workplace experience perspective.
The main task of a workplace designer is to reach into the depths of what makes a business and its people tick – once this is solved and translated into a physical form in the manner of a considered office design, the effects of this transition is something that is tangible by both users and visitors of this space, which is a massive contributing factor in shaping the office culture and general energy of the space.
Great staff deserve great offices and with many companies across the nation now coming to the realisation that by joining the growing movement and creating great offices & workplace experiences to match, they will attract and retain top talent who will prosper in that environment which ultimately leads to bigger profits for the businesses in the long run.
Whilst wellbeing has been a word which has circulated within the industry for several years, it has now taken its place as an almost must-have entity when it comes to the place we arguably spend most of our day-to-day lives in; the workplace.
Today, companies are looking into ways of incorporating not only physical wellness, which includes solutions such as sit -stand desks and healthy snacks, but also emotional and mental wellness within the workforce.
One of the major mental health issues facing workplaces across the nation is employee burnout – in fact, in May last year, the World Health Organization declared it to be an “occupational phenomenon”. The year 2020 will see an extra focus being set on the work-life balance and the promotion of good mental health at work.
According to studies carried out by coaching agency Talking Talent, the cost of poor mental health to UK businesses is up by £10 billion in a decade. With that in mind, it is everyone’s best interest to gather forces to tackle the wellbeing issue in order to gain a much more productive and happier workforce.
do you love where you work? if you need to tweak things a bit Seniz us a buzz:
The use of greenery in the office is not a new trend, however we predict that the new year will bring about an enhanced spotlight set on the use of biophilia, not only for aesthetic purposes but for their natural ability to clean out the air as well as providing many other health benefits such as a proven ability to increase focus and concentration while providing a mental boost for people in the working environment. Its not just us thats talking about this either….http://blog.creatif.org.uk/creatif-talks-biophilia-oliver-heath
The use of unconventional spaces previously deemed as unsuitable dead space has seen a rise as the cost of precious square footage also rises. This surge has seen an increase in the exploration of how these out of the ordinary zones (think corridors, under stair spaces, window ledges etc) can become a part of a flexible and functional working solution while ensuring the office environment is working to its fullest potential.
With wellness being at the forefront of our consciousness, it is clear to see that the driver behind the colour trend forecasts have been based on a calming, earthy colour palette with the intention of creating joyful and calm environments to help-out the stressed workforce.
Sue Wadden, director of colour marketing at Sherwin-Williams says “Homeowners and designers alike are seeking warmth—colours that feel human and natural. The colours in these palettes, when invited into our spaces, pave the way for wellness and self-nurturance.”
WGSN, who is a trend forecasting service has revealed that a pastel shade of green, called “neo mint”, will play a big part in interiors in 2020 due to its tendency to lean towards its being a gender-neutral colour with “an oxygenating, fresh tone that aligns science and technology with nature”. This is supported by Dulux’s announcement of their Colour of the Year for 2020 – Tranquil Dawn; a pale green.
Insights by Seniz Gokdemir – Echospace Design Director
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