Whether you are renovating an existing office space or constructing a new one, there are some important trends in commercial architecture that you should consider. These include open workspaces, automated light switches and taps, lounges and lobbies, and digital signage.
Modern commercial architecture blends the exterior space with the interior
Using a multistory building to maximize natural light has been a hallmark of modern commercial architecture. A well-conceived design will make the most of the sun’s rays by introducing a large dose of filtered daylight and ensuring that the internal spaces are functional, clean and tidy says The Miami Architect.
The aforementioned acronym can be achieved by using a variety of techniques, from the usual curtain wall and floor finishes to a combination of glass and metal. One clever way to achieve the desired effect is to incorporate open concept walls into the design plan. Using this approach will provide the most cost-effective solution to the problem, as well as an opportunity to exhibit a number of interesting design choices.
Automated light switches and taps are essential for health and safety
Having automated light switches and taps isn’t just smart, it’s safe. Having a light in the dark can aid in the prevention of eye strain, especially for older adults. The best part is that they are relatively inexpensive.
While not as cheap as the ubiquitous fluorescent lamp, automated light switches and taps can save you hundreds of dollars each year. Besides, they are easily accessed from any room in the house. They can also be programmed to turn on and off when you are in the mood to doze off. You can even program them to switch on and off at a certain time of day or night.
Open workspaces are the trend
Designed to increase innovation, creativity and collaboration, the open office floor plan is now the norm. Unlike the traditional closed offices, open plans create a transparent workplace where employees can hear everything and interact easily.
The idea of an open workspace first began in the 1950s, when German architects and designers developed a communal workspace to foster a sense of camaraderie and advancement. The trend spread to the U.S. in the 1990s, when the dot-com era made a big push to create more flexible work spaces.
Now, businesses are looking for ways to offer employees private workspaces, as well as multi-purpose rooms. These can include lounges, private booths, and conference rooms with power and data integration.
Lounges and lobbies are popular with landlords
Increasingly, landlords are creating lobbies and lounges in new office spaces, largely because tenants have become savvy enough to recognize that the workplace isn’t just a place to do business. In fact, the workplace has become a social destination. Many owners are creating common areas that are more conducive to collaboration, as well as amenities that can provide an employee with a healthy lunch.
Traditionally, a lobby was thought of as a passing space, not a place for long-term lingering. Today, however, tenants are looking for places to unwind and relax while also having access to amenities that help them be healthier.
There are a number of ways to enhance the value of a lobby and lounge, including integrating a NanaWall system into an existing space or creating an indoor-outdoor lounge space using fiberglass deck grating. Other ways to create a more functional lobby include tweaking the flow of the area to create less crowding.
Digital signage is necessary for health and safety
Creating a safe work environment is important for any organization. In the workplace, accidents can be very costly and can result in serious injury or death. By providing employees with timely and relevant information, you can help reduce the risk of accidents.
Digital signage, such as an electronic message center, can be used to make safety information easily accessible to employees. It can include safety programs details, emergency protocols, and even specialized protocols for a work environment. The message can be presented in an easy-to-read, bold text.
It can also help to enhance productivity, reduce stress, and establish a more secure and safe workplace. By providing a visible way for staff to communicate, digital signage can improve employee retention.
Flexibility is the purpose of a commercial space
Using flexible architecture designs in commercial real estate can offer benefits such as long-term sustainability, lower maintenance costs, and easier upgrade. It also can help to meet more stringent operational targets.
Today, the world is changing rapidly and the built environment must be able to accommodate this change. Its capacity to respond to changing demands and requirements should be considered in the planning stage.
Creating a flexible environment will also help to reconcile society’s need for increased plasticity. The concept of flexibility has pervaded the architectural tradition. This is most notably expressed by the Japanese Metabolist movement in the 1960s. Its basic principle, space plasticity, has been transformed into a style and a design philosophy.
