Five Emerging Trends in Workplace Architecture for 2019 Over the last few years, more companies and industries are realizing the importance of an "identifiable" workspace

By Amin Nayyar

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Asia Pacific, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock

The world is changing and the workplace is an indicator. During the early part of the century, an entirely different typology of employees/professionals emerged. Most companies were bewildered by the sheer difference in their approach to work and their expectations from the physical parameters of the workplace itself. Also, the environment of business itself changed drastically. Business processes have evolved, outreach and communication have reformed and business cycles, longevity and processes improved.

Over the last few years, more companies and industries are realizing the importance of an "identifiable" workspace. Few trends that will dominate the workplace architecture market in 2019 are:

No Set Cubicle Space

Unlike the office of the last century, work happens anywhere and everywhere. Businesses have expanded their boundaries, and people are connected, both physically and through the net. So identification by "cubicle" is neither expected, nor accepted. The work space needs to be an ergonomic and well-connected location, designed to ease interaction and connectivity.

More Collaborative Space

A large part of work today is collaborative, and, happens in a meeting space, which allows small and large teams to come together, discuss, work through problems and generate solutions for emerging opportunities. As a result, the space within an office can be shared; in fact, it is better if it is shared. So a lot of functions such as sales, marketing and administration, can work on "hot desks".

Health is Wealth

The design of the workspace inclusive of elements like colors, textures, air quality and ergonomics can add to human comfort. The work teams must have a choice of healthy environments where in the workspace must foster and encourage a healthy lifestyle. The quality of air is of utmost importance. Rise in carbon dioxide and other noxious gases cause loss of concentration and low productivity in the short term, and serious health consequences in the long run. An employee who is healthy and alert is an asset to the organisation. Desking systems today are designed to allow people to stand and work which is a much better alternative than to sit all day long.

Lighting is the Key

PoE (Power over Ethernet) and LED systems allow buildings to interact directly and in real time with end users as well as the environment. Lighting that mimics sunlight, and changes with the change in time/ season allows bio rhythms to be maintained. Building cooling and lighting systems also interact with the outside environment as well as user preferences, to create indoor comfort conditions most suited to individual preferences. Smart building solutions also "recognise" people, allowing them to access various parts of the building.

Quirky Interiors

The design and choice of colour, texture and décor is changing and there is an active interest and effort in making spaces feel eclectic. While it is important to maintain a sense of order, there is a strong push towards making places feel "aged" and offer surprises along the way. Different themes and decors in different work and interaction areas, arty pieces of furniture thrown in, and spaces that feels homely. In fact, certain high performance work spaces actually have sleep pods, allowing people to catch a nap, and be refreshed for work and will continue to be a trend in 2019.

Amin Nayyar

CEO, ANA Design

Brainchild of Amin Nayyar,  ANA Design specializes in conceiving modern, high-caliber solutions based on the design philosophy of constantly seeking to produce excellence and high quality work within a stated budget. The company has successfully delivered numerous projects to not only the domestic market but successfully pierced through international barriers to reach architectural milestones in  Middle East and West Africa. Integrating architecture and sustainable strategies is the prime nucleus of the company. The firm works across various sectors like retail, education, commercial and process industries.

Business News

JPMorgan Shuts Down Internal Message Board Comments After Employees React to Return-to-Office Mandate

Employees were given the option to leave comments about the RTO mandate with their first and last names on display — and they did not hold back.

Making a Change

Say Goodbye to Language Barriers with This Affordable Language App

Promova Premium Plan is your key to learning a new language and better communication.

Business News

Is TikTok Considering Selling Its U.S. Business to Elon Musk? Here's What TikTok Says.

Reports have emerged that Chinese officials are considering selling TikTok to Elon Musk.

Business Culture

Why Are Remote Work Trends So Different in the US and UK?

While the USA and the UK share similarities, they have markedly different remote work cultures. This is particularly interesting for a US-based founder with UK-based employees. I wanted to explore these differences further so we can understand how remote work policies can be tailored to enhance productivity and employee satisfaction in both countries.

Business News

It's Pay-to-Stay at Starbucks As the Coffeehouse Reverses Its Open Door Policy

If you want to use the restroom, work remotely, or sit to chat with friends, you'll need to be a paying customer.

Growing a Business

How Meta Generated $32 Billion in Ad Revenue Last Quarter — and How You Can Create Million-Dollar Weekends Using the Same Strategies

Meta's staggering $32 billion quarterly ad revenue isn't just about size; it's about strategy, systems and execution as well.