From Fast Company.
Approaching the New Year seems like as good a time as any to say out with the old walls that block natural light, separation of departments, major investments in public spaces at the expense of the back office and other design elements that bum workers out, and in with creative solutions that bring people together in ways they can be at their best.
Fast Company's Lydia Dishman talked to the design experts at Teknion, Poppin, a manufacturer of workplace furniture and accessories, and Workwell Partners, a design firm specializing in creating efficient spaces to see what they predict are the most useful trends for 2016 — some of which include the use of plants.
Green tip: Bringing the outdoors in
Lesizza says nature is having a serious moment in design. Reclaimed wood panel installations, exposed concrete flooring, and incorporating natural flora patterns in fabrics and artwork are all becoming more prominent, along with plant life itself in the form of living walls, he says. "Some of our favorite pieces and projects from the last year take a page from this trend, and also go hand in hand with one of the bigger trends: bringing the home into the office," says Lesizza. "It’s the natural, cozy feeling that a lot of these finishes and details have that will continue to make this trend a popular one throughout 2016."
To read more about office color, designated lounge areas, flexible layouts and community tables, click here.
Photo: Dreamstime.com