Recent studies have found that there are several benefits to open-plan offices, such as the enhanced motivation and productivity linked with collaborative working. The trend seen in many businesses and workspaces right now is flexible working – whether that means hybrid working or co-working spaces and remote working options. 

How Has the Office Changed – And What Is Its Future? 

The trend seen in many businesses and workspaces right now is flexible working – whether that means hybrid working or co-working spaces and remote working options.

Office spaces have changed greatly over the years, with the current focus being on improving employees’ experience of the workplace to boost mood and productivity.  

The traditional office layout consisted of cubicles, designed to maximise space efficiency and provide privacy to employees. This also reflected the hierarchical work culture at that time, with the higher-ups having their own offices.  

Following this, there was a transition towards more open-plan offices, as the strict hierarchy of the workplace began to ease. This helped employees collaborate and it emphasised transparency, so that everyone knew what was going on in the company, regardless of their seniority.  

These types of offices were controversial for a while, however, as some preferred the privacy which cubicles and separate office rooms provided. In addition, some found it noisier than the traditional cubicle setup.  

However, recent studies have found that there are several benefits to open-plan offices, such as the enhanced motivation and productivity linked with collaborative working. 

The trend seen in many businesses and workspaces right now is flexible working – whether that means hybrid working or co-working spaces and remote working options. 

So, in this article, we’re going to take a look in more detail at how exactly the office has changed, and what might happen in the future.  

The Evolution of the Office

Early 20th Century Offices

In the early 20th century, corporate offices were very much on the rise. This was the beginning of the stereotypical businessman, suited and booted with a briefcase in hand.

This move away from factory work and towards skilled work led to more and more offices opening up with the traditional workstation setup we discussed above.

The workstation setup was ideal for corporate offices at the time, where everyone could be in their private area doing their own work, with more senior team members in their own office rooms where they could meet with clients and watch other employees from above.

Post-War Office Design

After the Second World War, the focus in the business world shifted towards efficiency, with slightly more open-plan offices where workstations were lined up in rows.

This was the new corporate business office, with a more clinical and efficient design. These times also came with new technological advancements, including air conditioning, and this is where we begin to see small movements towards focussing on employees’ health and comfort within the office.

The Tech Boom

The tech boom was the beginning of the modern office, with the introduction of cubicles and computers in the workplace.

Cubicles were part of the efficiency mindset, designed to get as many employees in the office at the same time, focussing on their own work and output.

As computers became more widely used, offices were quick on the uptake, as they offered lots of different automation options which helped with efficiency, as well as ensuring that employees were even more productive during their workday.

All of this was put in place to optimise efficiency as much as possible, which was sometimes found to be to the detriment of employee wellbeing and job satisfaction.

Modern Office Trends

Remote Work and Hybrid Models

Since Covid-19, we have seen a new trend, namely towards remote and hybrid working models.

This has significantly changed the office setup, with traditional offices being less common these days. Instead, co-working spaces have risen to popularity, and even corporate offices are incorporating a “home from home” aspect, with fun and relaxing break rooms which employees can enjoy during their downtime.

Now that employees want to work from home more and more, companies are having to think of ways to incentivise them to return to the office, which has led to overall more employee and fun-focussed workspaces.

Co-Working Spaces

As we touched on above, remote and hybrid working has led to a massive boom in co-working spaces.

This is an ideal and often cost-effective alternative to a traditional office, especially for remote and hybrid-based companies where employees are only expected to work on-site once a week or less.

In these situations, having an office full-time almost isn’t worth it from a financial perspective – and this is exactly why co-working spaces have been set up.

Sustainability and Wellbeing

As businesses continue to turn their focus to both employee wellbeing and sustainability, with the introduction of ESG reports and similar transparency initiatives, these things are also being considered when it comes to the office environment.

The sustainability side of the modern office incorporates a wide range of aspects, from using eco-friendly and sustainable materials for furniture, decor and equipment.

Conversely, the wellbeing side of the modern office involves designing an office for employees, like adding a games room and nap areas to boost employee satisfaction while they’re in the office.

Essentially, these days, it’s all about ensuring that your employees have a reason to attend the office – or, if they don’t come in more than once a week, renting out a co-working space could be the best way to go.

Future Predictions

Technological Advancements

As we continue to witness the advancements of technology like smart-tech and AI solutions, the future of the office certainly seems to be a bright and exciting one.

More businesses are trying to motivate employees to return to the office, which means incentives are more important than ever.

The innovation and automation that technological advancements promise could certainly prove incentive enough for employees to return to more hybrid and on-site working models.

Flexible and Adaptive Spaces

As we’ve mentioned, co-working spaces are beginning to rise in popularity, and it is likely that they will continue to do so in the future.

In addition, more flexible and adaptive spaces are becoming popular, in particular modular office designs and flexible workstations.

Also, there has been a move towards Activity-Based Working, where there are special rooms set up for particular tasks, such as meeting rooms, focussed work and teamwork, for example.

We never know what will happen in the future, especially when it comes to technology and the workplace, but these are a few ideas of what might be to come.

Wellbeing-Centric Design

Another prediction for the future of the workplace is that there will be a continual focus on employee wellbeing, with a particular emphasis on mental health.

There are lots of aspects within the office that can contribute to this. Firstly, ergonomic and comfortable furniture can massively help with employees’ physical health, which has a positive knock-on effect on their mental health and overall wellbeing.

In addition, natural light and a biophilic design are both known to have positive effects on employee wellbeing and mood.

We are continuing to focus on employee wellbeing and to design to boost and improve this, and it is certainly something which will translate into the future of the office.

Changes to the Office and Future Predictions – A Summary

So, as we’ve seen, there have been significant changes to the office environment since the first iteration of the office, through the post-war open plan offices, past the office cubicles, and finally through to the modern hybrid, co-working and flexible office spaces we have right now.

As we touched on above, it’s difficult to fully understand the future of the office without knowing the full extent of what AI and automations can deliver, but we can predict that the focus on co-working spaces and wellbeing-centric design, among other features of the new office, will continue to be a significant focus for years to come.

In addition, sustainability will continue to be a significant focal point, especially with carbon and net-zero goals in place for the future – so this is something that will certainly be a concern for offices, even decades from now.

Clearly, the trend has moved away from the corporation to the client and employee, as offices become more people-focussed, a distinct contrast from the efficiency-based world of office cubicles.