The days of traditional, inflexible cubicles that Generation Y once loved come to a close as 21^st century takes business to a more challenging level.

Millennials are starting to dominate the world’s workforce and with them come new skills, knowledge and ideas. But is it enough? As competitive pressure and business rivalry increase, so as the need for a more motivated and productive offices.  How are you keeping up so far?

Managers who included environmental trends in their office design noticed a 12% increase in their employees efficiency

Many managers are starting to recognize the importance of office design in fostering a more productive workforce. We’ve seen it first in Googleplex — the nap pods, grab-anything-you-want cafeterias, lavish gardens, colorful workspaces, playgrounds and more.

And its benefits? I don’t think Google will become the world’s number 1 tech company without reinventing their office.

How Productive Offices of the 21^st Century Look Like

Today, redesigning your office is no longer an option. It’s a necessity. According to Dr. Ron Friedman, a leading workplace strategist, “Beyond the pleasing colors, elegant fixtures and modern design is a hope to increase creativity and productivity among your employees.”

That’s the gist of our conversation today. Below are some of the 21^st century office design trends with insights on how they can help create and maintain a more productive office.

Trend #1. Total Mobility

The Cloud, smartphones, notebooks and tablets made the office less dependent of location and more mobile. Today, employees can work anytime even while on the go.

In terms of office design, the full integration of technology in communication areas are starting to become a trend.

Fast, state-of-the-art wireless networks are becoming common in most offices as well as the integration of company mobile apps in performing many office tasks.

How it affects the way we work:

Because of mobility, many employees are increasingly working in decentralized offices or even at home. Mobile apps and the Cloud made the exchange of ideas, information and instructions more efficient.

Mobility also simplified many business processes such as hiring (Skype interviews), data processing, marketing and many more. And the result? A more productive office!

Trend #2. Open Workspaces

Pioneered by some of the biggest tech giants like Google, Dropbox and Facebook, open workspaces are starting to gain a foothold in this cubicle-centric world.

Some common characteristics of an open office design include large desks, informal lounges and gardens.

Many managers are also starting to take advantage of vertical space by adding ample whiteboards and glass walls where employees can write down their “aha” moment ideas.

How it affects the way we work:

The open office design encourages better collaboration and interaction among employees. The tech giants who pioneered it found out that innovation is at its best when employees are working together in open areas as opposed to the isolated cubicles of the past.

Productive offices are established as employees from different departments spontaneously brainstorm and interact with each other.

Trend #3. Playful Workspaces

Have you ever thought about adding a slide or monkey bars in your office? How about an entire playground?

Many businesses ditch the idea of building a lighthearted and playful office because they want to look more “professional” at work.

Though the motive is justifiable, it unintentionally kills creativity in the workforce. In an effort to establish more productive offices, many large companies (especially in the IT industry) have amenities like sand volleyball pits, basketball courts, bowling alleys and open cafeterias where employees can share and enjoy a meal together.

Though no clear trend has been established, coloured accents (especially bright ones) are very pleasing and are known to improve the mood of employees too!

How it affects the way we work:

Studies show that creativity is at its best when employees and their peers enjoy high level of comfort in the office.

A playful work environment smothers self-consciousness. It fosters trust and interdependence, one of the pillars of a productive office, among employees.

This office design also gives your employees the opportunity to unwind and recharge their batteries before facing another challenge.

Trend #4. Private Pods

Private pods are enclosed spaces where employees can hold confidential meetings. They are highly accessible and are less formal than conference rooms. Google pioneered and mastered the art of privacy pods.

How it affects the way we work:

Despite the importance of open and playful workspaces, employees still need a place for confidential or impromptu meetings.

Privacy pods maintains the balance between employee “we” and “me” time. This balance is key to creating a productive office.

Trend #5. Closeness to Nature

Facebook and Twitter are known for bringing nature inside their offices especially when it comes to massive green walls.

Many managers gave their workspaces a “natural” vibe by increasing natural lighting and panoramic views (using floor to ceiling windows) and by providing a beautiful landscape (using potted plants and gardens).

How it affects the way we work:

According to Ron Friedman in his book, The Best Place to Work, nature plays an important role in the art and science of creating a productive office. A human’s primal instinct is as important as fun-inducing workspaces.

He added that an employee’s overall satisfaction and performance is dependent on the fulfilment of his or her basic needs —- closeness to nature being one of them.

Managers who included environmental trends in their office design noticed a 12% increase in their employees efficiency due to improved productivity and better concentration.

A Few Last Words

Are you ready to redesign your office? Redesigning your workplace using some or all of the trends discussed above may take some time.

But I assure you, it’s time well spent — everything will be worth it in the end. One of the greatest strengths of the 21^st century workforce is interdependence and collaboration.

Through it, Millennials create astonishing results that’ll keep you above the competition.

A productive office depends on how you combine nature and human interaction into a sphere that promotes wellbeing and efficiency.

Lenmark.