The multi-space offices of the future

Multi-space offices are already a familiar way to enable individual ways of working: Permanently allocated workstations are now a rarity. Instead, employees can relocate freely within the office thanks to a variety of seating options. In short: The workspace adapts to daily work, not vice versa.

But there’s still room for improvement here. Flexibility in daily work – and hence in the spatial design as well – is becoming increasingly important. So how can multi-space offices be designed to make them even more effective?

More and more new ideas for this are appearing on the market. The goal is for the furnishings to provide both diversity and solutions for specific needs. It’s not enough to provide lots of everything if there’s no scope for individual use.

Modular design is therefore becoming more and more attractive. It not only creates individual work zones, but also allows them to be altered with a few simple adjustments. Modular sofas can be individually adapted and rearranged so that teams of any size can gather quickly. Every project is different and calls for new measures and new spatial conditions – multi-space offices increasingly meet these needs. Modular shelving systems, flexible room dividers, all these are aspects of a smart interior design. Even in small spaces, such interior concepts can meet the requirements of considerably more work situations than conventional offices with just a few simple adjustments. So you can see: The office of the future is smart, flexible and dynamic. Its furnishings do more than just look good; they also play an increasingly important role in functionality.

Multi-space offices are already a familiar way to enable individual ways of working: Permanently allocated workstations are now a rarity. Instead, employees can relocate freely within the office thanks to a variety of seating options. In short: The workspace adapts to daily work, not vice versa.

But there’s still room for improvement here. Flexibility in daily work – and hence in the spatial design as well – is becoming increasingly important. So how can multi-space offices be designed to make them even more effective?

More and more new ideas for this are appearing on the market. The goal is for the furnishings to provide both diversity and solutions for specific needs. It’s not enough to provide lots of everything if there’s no scope for individual use.

Modular design is therefore becoming more and more attractive. It not only creates individual work zones, but also allows them to be altered with a few simple adjustments. Modular sofas can be individually adapted and rearranged so that teams of any size can gather quickly. Every project is different and calls for new measures and new spatial conditions – multi-space offices increasingly meet these needs. Modular shelving systems, flexible room dividers, all these are aspects of a smart interior design. Even in small spaces, such interior concepts can meet the requirements of considerably more work situations than conventional offices with just a few simple adjustments. So you can see: The office of the future is smart, flexible and dynamic. Its furnishings do more than just look good; they also play an increasingly important role in functionality.

Let’s stay with smart because this is an aspect in which multi-space offices are constantly improving. Smart, well-planned furnishings aren’t worth a thing if they do not meet the needs of employees and internal projects. This is why it is increasingly important to employers when they are designing multi-space offices to involve employees in the concept and to incorporate daily activities into its development: Does positioning a coffee corner-cum-breakout space right next to a work zone make sense if employees want quiet to focus? Is it in the organisation’s best interests to locate meeting rooms at the very end of the building if this means that customers and visitors have to be led through the entire company? Not everybody would be able to give an immediate answer to the last question – and that’s precisely the point.

One of the defining features of multi-space offices is the shift away from permanently allocated workstations. Instead, the office space is formed of work zones that enable flexible working. The layout of a multi-space office may be individually customisable, but its basic concept consists of various work zones. The individual routes that the layout produces should therefore meet the needs of daily business so that short communication channels are created and employee satisfaction is guaranteed.

A tip: Just a few tools are enough to encourage creative processes within a multi-space office. For instance, whiteboards or projector screens in group zones can foster an inspiring exchange of ideas. And apropos of inspiring exchanges, you can expect plenty of networking and innovation at your own trade fair stand at the upcoming imm Spring Edition: Register now!

Companies are also getting braver when it comes to design. Colour palettes that reflect the organisation and its values are replacing stark walls. The aim is to create an atmosphere of well-being while also stimulating employees’ creativity. As long as it fits the company philosophy, almost anything goes: from bright pinks to Lego walls that can be individually designed. An offbeat visual design can have a positive impact on creative processes. The important thing is not to be too hasty with the paint bucket. Every change should naturally be well thought through as well.

Ideally, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• What does your company stand for?
• Which values guide your daily business?
• What defines the company’s employees?
• What’s missing in your current workspaces?

Then the questions can drill down into the specifics:

• What would reflect your company philosophy best?
• Which colours are a good fit for your company?
• Would these colours have an inspiring effect?
• Which materials are the best fit for your company and your vision?
• Are all the design ideas in harmony with each other?

When they are designing multi-space offices, many companies are now consciously taking their inspiration from spaces associated with leisure and relaxation. This can include cafes, hotels and even spas. One of the reasons behind this is the desire to create a welcoming environment that promotes a voluntary return to the office. Employees should be happy to leave homeworking behind and be able to design their working day so that it is as pleasant as possible for them. They can decide for themselves whether they are most productive in a quiet phone booth, at a fixed desk or in an area with the background noise of conversations.

One trend that should please everybody: Sustainability and environmental awareness don’t stop at the office door. And why should they? After all, this is where we spend most of the day. Many environmental considerations have already been integrated into everyday office life, in some companies more so than others. But this will become more tangible in the future: Sustainable office furniture enables responsible use of environmental resources, while energy-efficient LED lighting consumes much less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs.

However, multi-space offices are not just becoming symbolically greener – they are becoming more colourful in the literal sense: Biophilic office design is a growing trend. Plastic plants are out. They are being replaced by a living design that gives the office a cosy feel . The natural aesthetic this creates provides a sense of calm and well-being – a welcome contrast to technology. But green plants do much more: They improve the air quality by producing oxygen and absorbing dust and pollutants, so they are a worthwhile investment for employees’ health alone.