Picture a 70-degree day: blue sky, calm breeze, the smell of fresh-cut grass, the distant call of birds. A small band of colleagues, tablets and coffee cups at hand, gather in lounge chairs under a tree for a moment to connect, share conversation and refocus.

They could be meeting in their team space or a conference room, but they opt for the great outdoors—because it’s a beautiful day and there’s Wi-Fi and power access on the terrace. That’s the group’s favorite spot when the weather is nice and they need to discuss or debrief on a project. It’s a great haven for individuals who need a brain break, too.

Via coalesse.com 

As a workplace strategist, I often speak with clients about the diversity of generations in their workplace, and how these cohorts influence workplace strategy. For example, the desire for flexibility and choice among Millennials was a driver behind the integration of alternative workplace strategies like hoteling and desk sharing in historically traditional industries. While generational lines are often blurred—with Perennials challenging the stereotypes—certain themes resonate.

Via perkinswill.com

Offices are increasingly being designed with collaboration in mind, as the lines between corporate meetings, private work sessions, and coffee dates with clients blur. While furniture and layout are often discussed, experts say there is a new frontier of workplace design they are just now tapping into: color.

Via marketwatch.com 

As companies prioritize innovation among today’s employees, the demand for spaces that inspire ideas and encourage interaction is accelerating. In this month’s design news aggregate, we explore the rising role of creativity and social connection in the office and the resulting impact on workplace design.

Via coalesse.co.uk

Like many other facets of modern life, the workplace has evolved beyond the grey cubicles of yore. Naturally, technology has improved and streamlined many processes and changed the way people work, but most importantly, employees’ concepts of the ideal workplace have also changed. This is due to a combination of factors of which changing business models, an increasingly multi-cultural workforce and exposure to massive amounts of information are just a few. But the largest influence can be attributed to Generation Y – and Z right behind them – who take time for personal interests, make health and wellness a priority, have a more casual and collegial work style, possess a strong desire to learn, and seek (and expect) mentorship.

Via entrepreneur.com 

Once a year, in a secret part of Europe, a group of elite color strategists, psychologists, and trend forecasters stare deep into a giant crystal ball and channel visions of the future. Well, half of that is true—the other half is a little more pragmatic. For that last 17 years, the Pantone Color Institute has presented to the world its Pantone Color of the Year. The group pays close attention to big picture demographics such as Hollywood films, fashion, technology, and popular travel destinations. Then they crunch thousands of data points down to one relevant color that sets the global tone for the entire following year. In its introduction to 2016’s color of the year, Rose Quartz and Serenity, Pantone stated “…as consumers seek mindfulness and wellbeing as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent.” As designers, we certainly saw these influences in our work as clients moved away from big pops of color in favor of more soothing palettes in the workplace.

Via interiorarchitects.com 

It’s never a bad idea to find yourself some work pals — after all, research has shown that people learn more on the job when they have fun at the office — but actually making those connections between the hours of nine and five is often easier said than done. If your job requires you to spend the bulk of that time typing away in a cubicle, there’s not much opportunity for organic socializing; unless you happen to catch someone on line for the kitchen microwave around lunchtime, your options are kind of limited.

Via nymagazine.com 

These days, we demand everything from our workspaces: privacy, personality, hospitality, flexibility. We want sitting desks and standing desks, napping areas and play areas. We expect our workspaces to be all things at all times, such that we forget their essential purpose: for thoughtful, productive work. How do you create a workspace where actual work happens? These six tips will make any workspace feel perfectly yours and will ignite your most creative ideas.

Via entrepreneur.com