The Workspace Design Show has always been a great opportunity for our team to get ahead of the latest design trends, innovations and latest product releases. We’ve made a point to head to London every year to immerse ourselves in the pulse of the industry, spot emerging trends and connect with some of the brightest minds shaping the future of commercial spaces. It’s an event we always come back inspired from.
This year was no exception. From eco-friendly materials to digital solutions transforming the workplace, the Workspace Design Show once again highlighted what’s next in office design. In this article, we’re sharing the 5 key takeaways that stood out to us – insights that are sure to impact how we design today.
1. Workplace Experience
This year, the emphasis was on something we’re all familiar with: design is more than just how a space looks. It’s about how it feels. The big question? How does your office communicate with the people who use it every day, and what does that say about your company on a subconscious level? The rise of human-centred design is a clear indication that this conversation is more important than ever.
Workplace experience is a term we noticed gaining traction. It’s the understanding that the environment we work in has a profound effect on our mood, productivity and overall wellbeing. From the layout and furniture choices to lighting and acoustics (even the choice of materials), every decision impacts how we interact with our surroundings and how we perform whilst at work.
When we’re talking about workplace experience, we’re talking about designing environments that actively promote health, creativity and collaboration, all while reflecting the values and culture of your company.
2. Multisensory Environments
One way to create your workplace experience is by tapping into the full spectrum of human senses. It goes beyond the basics – touch, smell, sound – to considerations like movement, spatial awareness and more. As humans, we’ve evolved in dynamic, rich environments, yet many modern workplaces are quite frankly overwhelming in terms of their sensory inputs. From harsh artificial lighting to the constant hum of technology, many offices fail to create a balanced sensory experience where every individual can thrive.
We loved one conversation about the role of biophilic design in this. By incorporating natural elements, such as plants, lighting and organic materials, we can recreate these multisensory environments that support our wellbeing and productivity whilst at work, and ensure our spaces remain relevant over time.
3. Data-Driven Designs
A recurring theme at this year’s show was the growing importance of data-driven decisions in design. Capturing genuine, actionable data is becoming essential to design spaces that truly benefit both employees and businesses. Much like the space utilisation reports we create, data gives our designers insights into how your people are interacting with the office, so we can identify where measurable improvements can be made. Whilst sure, it largely relies on subjective data, we have held some positive conversations about refining this process to ensure designers are delivering positive ROI for business owners.
4. Supporting Remote Work
As remote working continues to prevail way past the pandemic, one of the key challenges that arose at the Workspace Design Show was the impact this has on learning, mentoring and professional growth – particularly for younger employees. While sure, remote working offers flexibility, it can also leave a gap in the informal, organic exchanges that typically happen at the office. Those chance conversations, mentorship moments and collaborative problem-solving sessions are often harder to come by when you’re not physically present.
What became clear to us was how the office can (and should) play a bigger role in supporting this development. Whilst it’s evident remote working isn’t going away, today’s office needs to bridge the gap between in-office and remote workers. Whether it’s through a hybrid office design, collaborative technology or flexible work spaces, we can create work environments that enable learning to happen no matter where employees are based.
5. Sustainability
It was brilliant to see an increased focus on sustainability in office fit outs this year. From updates to SKA ratings to discussions on reducing material waste, the conversations around making office spaces more environmentally friendly are evolving. What stood out was how embracing circular economy principles is no longer nice to have. It’s becoming a non-negotiable in the design and construction of modern workplaces.
As we move forward, integrating sustainability practices into office design is definitely something we would like to see our customers push for more. Not just for the health of the planet, but for the health of the business itself. Clients, employees and stakeholders are increasingly prioritising sustainability, and offices that lead the way in adopting these principles will be ahead of the curve.
Our Final Thoughts
If we took away one thing, it’s that the future of the office is about designing spaces that support people, align with company culture and respond easily to the ever-changing needs of the workforce. The workplace is evolving, and so must our approach to designing it.
If you’re ready to create a workplace that supports your team and delivers on your business objectives, let’s talk. We’re always excited to explore new design opportunities and help bring your vision to life. Get in touch with us today to start the conversation about your next office refurbishment project.
