When it comes to the workplace, the only constant is change. Design trends vary by industry and can shift from one year to the next. The challenge for businesses is to determine how to design and build workplaces that will benefit their employees now and in the future. One solution that has been growing in popularity in recent years is modular workspaces. Modular office design offers unique spaces and features that can adjust to meet the changing dynamics of the workplace. Continue reading to learn more about this design trend and how it can help transform your workplace.
What is a modular office design?
As hybrid work becomes the next normal, companies must rethink space utilization and reimagine spaces to accommodate staff needs. Modular workstations allow companies to alter room sizes, react to the influx in their in-office population, and change layouts to increase efficiency and productivity. A modular office combines diverse interior components that form a cohesive, readily adaptable, customizable workspace.
Modular workspaces have several advantages, including the ability to adapt and grow alongside a company. A workplace becomes future-proof when the physical landscape can change and adjust concurrently with the needs of the business and its staff. With business practices evolving rapidly and new working models being eagerly adopted by workers, companies need to be able to adapt to change and be agile. Reconfiguring and repurposing spaces to accommodate changes are strategic ways to give offices a second life. When companies are resistant to change, that is when collisions occur, and talent retention becomes an issue.
Another advantage of modular office design is that it provides a cost-effective solution for updating existing infrastructure to create contemporary spaces. Not only is it cost-effective, but it is environmentally friendly. Reconfiguring a space and changing the layout of an office is more sustainable than throwing away old furniture and tearing down walls to update an office in an ever-evolving labour market. Furthermore, it is about establishing a proactively adaptable workspace that can readily shift, switch, and pivot to reflect the needs and expectations of staff and the organization. It is a strategy for moving from short-term considerations to viable long-term solutions.
Modular office design elements
Here are some ways you can incorporate modular office design into your workplace.
Movable walls
A movable wall, also known as a demountable wall, is a type of wall system that can be easily altered or removed to fit different configurations. They are not integrated into the foundation building and can be easily reconfigured. For example, a movable wall separating two offices can be removed to create a larger conference room. Furthermore, if a collaborative space needs to be divided into separate areas, a moveable wall can be implemented to provide greater privacy.
Modular furniture
Flexible workspaces necessitate modular furniture. Modular furniture is designed to be easily moved around so that it can be reconfigured to fit the needs of each individual workspace. Modular desks can be set up by themselves or configured with other pieces to create collaborative workspaces. In addition to computer desks, modular furniture can include collaborative desk furniture, modular benching system desks, modular cubicles, segmented modular cubicle workstations, electric height adjustable table workstations, privacy coves, office wall divider walls, and much more.
Phone booths/ meeting pods
Modular phone booths and meeting pods are uniform, prefabricated units or modules. They have several benefits and are a great way to supply more flexibility within the office. These modular systems allow teams to easily shape and reshape their work environment. They are easily adaptable to various scenarios and can be placed in different locations throughout the workplace. Phone booths are an effective method to increase the number of flexible private workstations where employees can take phone calls without needing headphones or a designated private office.
As the needs and expectations of employees begin to evolve and diversify, it is evident that workplaces need to be agile and ready for change. Modular office design is a proven strategy to help companies future-proof their workplaces. At Aura, we recognize the value of investing in the present while planning for the future. We use an integrated approach to bring workplace visions to reality by combining the efforts of workplace planning, interior design, and project management in a cohesive and efficient process. Contact Us to learn how we can help transform your workplace.