The remote and hybrid work explosion continues to ripple through businesses and corporate offices. As offices reopen, attitudes toward work and location have changed in important ways that are affecting commercial architecture and interior design.
Below are three significant trends in commercial interior design for 2022, along with how some of these trends impact AV integration.
Hybrid Work Has Employers Embracing Coworking Design Influences
The coworking space industry certainly took a hit early in the pandemic, but many shared office environments have bounced back since, thanks to tectonic shifts in the labor market.
For the right subset of workers, the perks are obvious: a distinct place to work, separate from the home and its distractions, but with an array of amenities and comforts that may well outpace the dated office setup from their previous 9-to-5.
What does any of that have to do with businesses like yours? You’re likely embracing more of a hybrid and remote working model than in years past, and with that shift comes a shift in how your workforce thinks about and wants to use your office space.
When they do return to the office, employees are increasingly looking for more of the amenities and layout considerations popular in coworking spaces. They’re there in person to do the things that they can’t do as well from home — things like in-person small-group collaboration and isolated highly-focused work.
As businesses adjust to this new prevalent attitude toward work and space, many will begin adopting some of the design language popular in coworking spaces — creating a sort of “private coffee shop” environment, to borrow a phrase from interior designer and Poshh editor Katie Mills.
In short, this looks like:
- More small collaborative spaces
- Experientially rich spaces (comfort, flexibility)
- Space for isolation and focused work
- Perks and quality of life enhancements (social, food/beverage, relaxation spaces, etc.)
What This Trend Means for AV Integration
The cowork-ification of corporate offices has implications in AV integration. More, smaller collaborative spaces may each need videoconferencing support or other AV support. These can be smaller-scale and more agile, but teams need them desperately to loop in remote team members, clients, and others.
Additionally, technology is a crucial element of both experientially rich design and quality of life enhancements. And these integrations must be planned out in conjunction with any space refreshes for maximum effect — not tacked on after the fact.
A Greater Focus on Health and Wellness
Businesses are increasingly considering health and wellness — both physical and mental — in space design. More space-conscious designs are here for the long term, as public perception of personal space and safety are forever changed. Along with this is a greater focus on ventilation and air purification.
Yet physical health isn’t the only concern: businesses are increasingly prioritizing employees’ mental health through conscious space design, creating more natural light, better places for focus and relaxation, and creating more warmth and human connection at work.
Sustainability and Biophilia Continue to Rise
Next, in 2022 and beyond, sustainability and biophilia (the greening and naturing of indoor spaces) continue to grow in popularity and impact.
Employees are increasingly concerned with their employers’ sustainability footprint, which shows up in areas large and small — especially when it’s time to refresh a space or build out a new facility.
Commercial interior design continues to embrace natural hues and finishes as well as the addition of more greenery and natural light.
What This Trend Means for AV Integration
More natural light inside corporate spaces has obvious implications in terms of placement of AV integrations. Video walls and digital signage, for example, must be capable of much higher brightness when in direct sunlight. Careful planning of visual integrations in naturally lit areas is essential.
Businesses also may be paying closer attention to the materials and devices installed in their spaces, looking for greater energy efficiency and a higher commitment to sustainability. Where possible, businesses concerned with sustainability should choose more energy-efficient products and those with better eco and sustainability footprints and documentation.
Refreshing Commercial Spaces This Year? Trust Bluewater for Your AV Integration Needs
When your business next considers refreshing commercial spaces, you need an AV integration partner that’s up to date on the latest trends in commercial interior design — and the implications those trends can have for AV systems design.
Bluewater’s expert team is ready to assist your business with any upcoming space refreshes. Reach out today to discuss how we can serve you!
(Thanks to Commercial Integrator for identifying several of these trends.)
