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Ambius released a report highlighting the top trends in office design for 2019 and beyond. The new year will see a continued evolution in designers' understanding of workplace optimization with design that boosts office morale and employee wellness while facilitating a creative work environment. A look at 2019's trends show designers working to make the most of limited spaces and utilizing plants and other green materials to connect the building's occupants with the natural world.
Macro trends for the coming year include a movement toward experience-drives spaces. Office designers are focused on incorporating functional amenities like meditation areas and espresso bars that improve the workplace experience for entry-level staff and C-suite executives alike. Ambius' experts also foresee the co-working space reimagined with features such as multi-use meeting areas, lightweight, movable furniture and lots of plants, portable green walls and other greenery to provide separation and privacy when needed. Another macro trend their experts expect in 2019 is the emergence of plant-based, biophilic design from an experimental principal to a standard for the modern workplace. Incorporating nature-inspired textures and shapes, as well as features like living green walls, floor plants, potted trees and decorative flowers will move from a trendy fashion statement to a near-necessity for the office.
Among the micro trends detailed in the report, moss walls stand out as a feature to keep an eye on in 2019 and beyond because they make a statement and work well in areas where lighting can be a concern. Moss walls and other green walls are expected to grow in popularity because they enhance the office's connection to nature while leaving floor space open for other features, making them highly compatible with the macro trends outlined in the report.
“As the job market grows more competitive for employers, companies are recognizing the advantages creating a modern workplace environment provides in attracting and retaining talent,” said Laura Burns-Lambert, sensory designer for Ambius. “Incorporating biophilic design and prioritizing a connection with nature unites many of the broader trends our team foresees in the coming years.”
The ability of plants to add beauty and aesthetic power to a business has long been recognized. Modern research increasingly shows that biophilic commercial spaces, those designed to connect humans with nature, also have dramatic health and wellness benefits, providing the business with advantages through improved employee health and attendance, job satisfaction, and more.
