Originally posted on https://blog.gebesa.com/en-us/features-of-a-modern-office
Color, lighting, open spaces, decoration, among others, are some of the characteristics of modern offices.
Why bet on modern offices?Workspaces are no longer based only on the number of workers, but on adapting to them to improve their stay, creativity and, of course, productivity.
Many companies maintain the motto “healthy employees are happy employees” and under this premise, the design of modern offices depends largely on the needs and functions of users.
In addition to providing all the comforts for employees to develop their activities, they also put companies at the forefront positively reflecting their culture, both internally and externally.
8 characteristics of a modern office
Now, from theory to practice, how to design modern offices?
If we look at offices from 20 years ago, we see a clear evolution in the furniture, its distribution, decoration, colors, and concept.
They were more sober places, cubicles that separated one employee from another, a separate office where the director stayed, without shared spaces. Today, this is no longer the case.
This evolution is marked by 8 main characteristics:
- Ergonomic furniture
Ergonomics is nothing more than adaptation to the user and when it comes to designing modern offices, the furniture is intended to help prevent physical problems, stress, and concentration.
How comfortable are your collaborators at work? Do they meet their goals efficiently? If your answers are negative, it would be good for you to check if they are suffering from any constant discomfort.
- Multifunctional spaces
Since the forms of work have changed along with the needs of workers. Modern offices must also be practical and multifunctional.
So that we can give the workplace different uses, for example, for unplanned meetings, or among a small number of employees, brainstorming, etc.
- Integrated technology
What would become of us without technology? It not only helps to streamline processes but also to improve the stay of users in the workplace.
Flat screens, projectors, technological furniture including voice and data connection are some of the technological elements that facilitate the development of our activities.
- Collaborative environments
Trends in workspaces aim to abandon individual spaces and migrate towards collaborative ones, because they imply significant savings, promote creativity, improve communication and increase productivity.
In this way, architectural barriers are eliminated, encouraging coworking between employees and departments.
- Open spaces
It is increasingly common to find large windows in offices, with a view to the outside or a terrace, taking advantage of natural light and the feeling of warmth and spaciousness.
As mentioned above, the ways of working have changed and in these spaces, there is no distinction of position between workers.
- Recreation and rest areas
The need to reconcile work and personal life have led companies to be more aware of providing users with greater comfort and better tools to develop professionally.
Comfortable armchairs in areas of coworking, ping-pong tables, table football or cafeterias, are increasingly common in modern offices and help workers to take a break, talk or meet informally, express ideas, and so on.
- Lighting
Lighting plays a key role in the design of modern offices. Poor lighting can cause visual fatigue and negatively affect worker performance.
On the contrary, the correct use of different light sources, natural or artificial, improves the comfort and productivity of the users.
- Decorative motivation
They are all elements that can help enhance creativity and inspiration in workers. Factors such as the color of the walls influence the mood of people.
Ideally, they should be combined according to the corporate image and light available; pale blues, greens, and greys are highly recommended.
Plants are also believed to promote concentration and help create peaceful environments, purifying the air and providing warmth.
Other examples would be paintings, murals, inspiring phrases, ornaments, etc. that depend on what we want to convey and the workspace.
After getting to know the main characteristics of modern offices, would you be encouraged to create them? Yes I do!
