An innovative office.

1. The introvert's playground

More and more office spaces are becoming open planned, there are searchable online profiles, LinkedIn accounts, group chats, employee emails and work drinks, CCTV and even cameras built-in to laptops and computers. It is now easier than ever to connect with those around you, but what if you need some time alone?

Creating enclosed, 'fun' spaces that don't leave employees feeling 'boxed-in' allow modern offices to keep their contemporary approach without sending their staff back to the dark ages.

Enclosed fun workspaces can fuel creativity:

• Natural relaxing spaces that seclude employees in times of high stress, such as designated garden-rooms or zen-zones
• Gadgets such as positive ion-infusing atomisers to neutralise a stressful atmosphere.
• Office furniture built for comfort and seclusion.
• Spaces filled with gadgets that get creative juices flowing, such as interactive whiteboards, or 3D printers.

HUSH Pod by Freyja Sewell

2. Bringing the outside, inside.

Dr. T. Bringslimark and associates carried out studies investigating the link between indoor plants and psychophysiological stress, sick leave, and productivity within the workplace.

Small reductions in those taking sick leave, missing deadlines and an increase in overall attitude to the working environment proved that the introduction of indoor plants improved employee performance, and saved money.

Space, maintenence, and issues with sunlight can be offputting when considering the introduction of plants, however, there are many ways that these obstacles can be overcome:

• Consider low-maintenance desk plants which do not require vast amounts of natural light. Parlor palms, prayer plants, succulents, and terrariums are ideal.
• Introducing individual desk plants also introduces the incentive for the employees to take pride in their surroundings, increasing productivity and possibly discouraging sick leave. 
• Large moss walls or hanging herb gardens can make a small space look amazing, Moss walls are becoming increasingly popular, with companies investing in mossy tabled surfaces, or even furniture covered with the stuff.
• Placing mossed walls in waiting areas or receptions will make an office unique, with the increased concern for our environment and with more businesses striving to show their eco-friendliness, what better way to get across your company message than to incorporate a large moss wall of your own?

Style my home; Bright Green moss designs

3. Meeting pods for smart offices

We've all seen Colin Farrell in the iconic movie Phonebooth. Fortunately for us, (not as fortunately for Colin), private meeting pods or 'phonebooths' are an innovative new feature for the workplace. Framery's phone booth come meeting pods were inspired after a study by the University of Sydney, found that around half of those working in the open plan office control group, found it extremely difficult to concentrate due to the lack of sound privacy.

The concept of a meeting pod or phone booth may seem new and innovative, and by all means, it truly is, but there is a reason why meeting rooms and phone booths existed in the first place. Providing these safe spaces within open plan offices is not a step backward, but a step towards a coalition of old and new innovation:

• Consider the introduction of low-cost eggbox muffling, this can be incorporated anywhere, (such as an old utility cupboard) for a cheap way to reinvent disused space.
• Invest in a Framery phonebooth/meeting pod, they come in dual models and are portable - meaning that you won't need to redesign entire areas around them.
• Create a chillout or zen-zone with soundproofed glass, to allow employees a quiet area to meet deadlines - silence is efficiency's best friend after all. 

Framery Phonebooth meeting pod

4. Aesthetic Gadgets

Great looking gadgets can not only be impressive to look at but can also provide an easier, more efficient, contemporary space to work in. Wireless charging has become a household name, but many companies such as IKEA are integrating this technology within their furniture and office desk supplies. 

What can be better than seamlessly charging a device in the workplace? A gadget that dual functions of course:

• Invest in several low-cost wireless charging units - these are units packed with wireless technology that can be fitted within or onto existing furniture or surfaces - this can be a fun, cheap way of boosting your office's technological features whilst spending less.
• Purchase dual-functioning gadgets such as wireless charging lamps or SAD lights to increase the amount of synthetic natural light within the workplace.
• Consider the introduction of reasonably priced wireless built-in desks, lamps, and furniture.

Nox portable luminaire with wireless charging system designed by Swiss-Argentinian product designer Alfredo Häberli for Astep.

5. Childhood creativity

It is often a sad fact of life, that the older we become, the less imaginative we tend to be. Successful business giants such as Google are well aware of this issue, which is why they take creative office design very seriously, with the introduction of ball-pits, bean bags, and even slides between floors! 

Realistically, this is something that is considered risky and difficult to recreate in small, modern spaces, and 'serious' businesses, but there are small ways an office can improve its creative productivity without installing an entire playground:

• Stimulating, colourful designs - the introduction of wall murals, graphic wallpaper or motifs can reduce feelings of pressure or stress.
• Interactive whiteboards, or plain normal ones can encourage visual-learners to invision plans in real-time, many people work more effeciently, once the plan is laid out before their own eyes.
• Floor cushions, bean bags and large corner sofas allow employees to relax, reduce stress and have meetings in an informal environment, this may encourage employees to express ideas and designs that may otherwise feel daunting in large corporate meeting rooms.
• The introduction of novelty lighting or furniture to inspire creativity. 

Giant custom HB Lamp by MichaelandGeorge

I hope you have enjoyed this article as much as I have enjoyed writing it! 

Office spaces truly are innovative places, and the more comfortable you feel within your working environment, the more productive you will be. 

I have never written a blog or an article before, but I have my own creative space to thank for my inspirations.

Please feel free to comment, share and repost and let me know what your office inspirations are!