Technology has made it possible for employees to work from anywhere. They can link up with the office via Skype, WebEx Slack and more. These platforms can be accessed by means of mobile devices or laptops from home or out in the field.
Consequently, employers are figuring out how to make use of their available space. Shrinking it to reduce space and real estate costs is one way to capitalise. In spite of the technological trends, face-to-face interactions are still required in the office.
Office Fitout Trends to Expect
2019 is expected to take into consideration that the traditional office is slowly phased out. Some of the office fitout trends to expect in 2019 include:
The Shrinking Workstation
With fewer workers in the office, the workstation is undergoing massive changes with regard to size. All that is needed in most organisations is space for meetings and informal interactions. This transition has come about because:
- Technology has become miniaturised. Laptops do not take up as much space as desktop computers. The traditional telephone has been replaced by the cell phone. That creates a lot of extra space.
- Many documents are digitised. There are therefore fewer paper files and other printed material occupying space in desk drawers. In addition, there is no need for cabinets in which to store files and documents.
- Many employees work from outside the office. They only need to report to the office for meetings and presentations.
The Open Office
One thing we know about the office of the future is that it’s more open. Spaces may be marked with partitions but the height has been lowered drastically. This creates greater employee interaction. The only exceptions are offices for human resource personnel and accounting as these require privacy to deal with confidential matters.
For more info, check out our blog on: Office Fitout & Property Management Costs in Perth.
Acoustic Privacy
While the open office plan works excellently for employee interaction, it has the disadvantage of being rather noisy. In addition, it lacks privacy such that if an employee needs to receive a sensitive or lengthy phone call, they will be pressed to find space to conduct such correspondence.
Many offices are fitting in small enclosed spaces where anyone who needs a quiet space to work can retire to. They are also perfect for sensitive phone conversations and other work-related interactions.
The acoustic space also provides space for work issues that need in the office or even impromptu departmental meetings.
Common Areas to Serve Clients
These are placed optimally in order to efficiently serve clients. All needed apparatus such as printers and copiers as well as fax machines are placed in this area. This makes it easier to centralise all printing and copying needs and reduces costs.
Branding
The key function of any organisation is marketing. Consequently, offices are increasingly featuring the organisation’s brand, logo, mission statement as well as uniform colours and material choices.
The employees are continually reminded of what they are working towards. The clients on the other hand see the brand they have invested in every time they walk through the doors. It is an effective marketing strategy.
Conclusion
The office of tomorrow does not intend to alienate workers by having them work outside the office. The open-plan office is certainly testimony to this. The intention is to make maximum use of space and reduce costs while making it accessible to clients.