4 Modern Trends in Corporate Office Space Design

Of all the disruptions in the past years, commercial real estate is an industry that has been hit hard. The field was forced to adapt- and adapt quickly. It has been irrefutably affected, and the evidence is everywhere, from changing work models to smaller office footprints.  

With remote work still at the top of mind for most Americans, it may initially seem to make sense to ditch all your future commercial real estate plans. But not so fast.  

Many major organizations, like Tesla, for one, have made it clear they expect their employees to return to their offices. What does this mean? Commercial real estate is better suited to adapt and grow stronger than to collapse in on itself.  

So, learn the latest office design trends so you can stay on the cutting edge and avoid getting left behind.  

Modern Design for the Evolving Office Space

1. Sustainability 

2. Flexible Work Environments

3. Safety

4. Sense of Home at Work

1. Sustainability  

A more modern office space design considers the features that influence its environmental friendliness. Since it was discovered that “Commercial real estate  generates 39% of the global emissions total,” government bodies are cracking down on the carbon footprints of offices and manufacturing spaces.  

Adopting a green office earlier rather than later will put you on the right side of history, possibly land you economic incentives or tax breaks, and avoid a time crunch to renovate when it becomes legally mandated.  

So, consider how to renovate existing spaces or rethink your layout and energy consumption for future properties. The following features will boost your green reputation and carbon neutrality: 

• LEED certification  
• Smart building features (ex: smart lighting systems that track movement and turn off when no one is in the area)  
• Green/outdoor spaces  
• Incentives for ridesharing  
• Appropriate EV chargers 
• Alternate/green sources of electricity 

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2. Flexible Work Environments

First and foremost, physical spaces need the capacity to connect with remote employees. Since technology has allowed working to be borderless, the importance of reliable digital services has never been more pressing.

So, maybe a modern office design looks a little different than the traditional layout. For example, rather than open floorplans and cubicles, you may include private reservable spaces or offices so employees in the office can video conference with those from home without distracting others.  

Allow for flexibility and the possibility to learn what works for your company as you go. Build your ideal office space around your company’s unique working habits and preferences.  

Let your activities be the deciding factor for what your office layout will look like. For example, rather than devote the most square footage to those with the most influence, give it to whoever is showing up to work in person. The CCIM predicts that going forward, “The percentage of real estate that workers occupy actually will be based on how much time they spend in the building.” 

Understand that crafting your ideal workplace may take some trial and error, but all predictions for modern offices demand flexibility.  

3. Safety

Spatial layouts are another focal point of evolving office design. COVID-19 proved how vulnerable corporate spaces left employees to the spread of disease. So, moving forward, keeping in line with OSHA or CDC guidelines will be critical.  

This includes not only allocating sufficient space for social distancing but also rethinking floor plans and the way people interact with their workplace. For example, while contactless technology is already in place, its appearance will become more ubiquitous. Touchless doors, security features, faucets, soap dispensers, etc. will become more prevalent to curb germs.  Also, the CDC recommends disposable paper towels, not those air dryers (great for spreading germs) for drying hands. 

Also, the workflows are predicted to prioritize private hubs within offices that promote social distancing. According to Parterre Flooring, “These open-office environments also include smaller, private areas and “pod areas” with enough workspace, seating and outlet access so employees can make phone calls, participate in video conferences or work on research safely.”  

4. Sense of Home/ Disconnect from Work

Luring employees out of their homes (or wherever they’re working) is no easy task. How do you convince employees who had the freedom to work from anywhere to return to the office?  

Well, you can start by instilling a feeling of “home” within your corporate spaces. Whether this means a kitchen or dining area, quiet areas for private phone calls, or comfortable seating options- modern office design calls for an element of momentarily disconnecting from work.  

Employee burnout has been a major concern. So, take a page out of Big Tech’s book and include some creative or destressing spaces. Gyms, meditation rooms, and even play areas all have a presence in Google’s offices. All extremely contemporary spaces include room for team members to relax, regroup, and return to their work with a refreshed mind.  

Consider how the implementation of such modern features would change the way your employees work. 

How to Secure The Features of a Modern Office Design 

The important thing to remember is that you can capitalize on evolving trends as they present themselves. Even if you’re already in a lease, you may have the power to negotiate for your landlord to cover the cost of additional features if you're several years in. (This is especially true if you’re represented by a savvy and true Tenant Rep.) 

Tenant Reps know that the bottom line is: In negotiating, compromise means both parties get something. Appeal to the landlord’s interests.  

If you’re several years into your lease, your landlord may be willing to give you a new Tenant Improvement Allowance if you extend your term- especially since so many businesses are slashing their office footprints.

Amazon, Meta, and Spotify (among others) have made significant cuts to their square footage in recent months. These moves have sent shockwaves all over the country. I bet even your friends who aren’t interested in commercial real estate are talking about these shutdowns, why? Because people want to know where the future of work is going and how it will affect them. Property owners are wondering what fate lies for them in this new market. So, you can offer them a little certainty-  

“I’ll sign on for another five years, you won’t have to market your space and find a new tenant (and good luck with that), and I’ll be offered a new TI allowance that will allow me to evolve my workspace in sync with my company’s changing needs ...Capiche?”  

Wouldn’t it be great if you could just call up your landlord and hit them with that? Unfortunately, it’s never that simple. Good luck reaching your landlord without hearing from their broker (who has a legal fiduciary to get the landlord the highest price). And then there’s the negotiating, which is usually a complex and time-consuming process.  

Luckily, you don’t have to take that on. By working with a Tenant Rep who has a fiduciary to get you the best deal, you level the playing field. You don’t leave yourself open to getting taken advantage of- and reduce the stress and risk of CRE.  

As Tenant Reps at iOptimize Realty®, we have 30 years of experience ensuring that leases are written in our clients’ interest, the terms suit them, and they receive the lowest price. We can help you renegotiate your lease for a new and improved TI allowance, renovate your space to reflect modern office design, or find you a new space equipped with all the elements you want in a corporate office.  

Sound good? Schedule a meeting now to talk to a Tenant Rep today. 

Check out this article to learn more about negotiation tips from Tenant Reps.