Architecture is — and always has been — a rapidly evolving field that speaks to the changing needs and desires of each generation. Luckily, COVID-19 can’t put a wrench in that. Even now, just months into a lasting pandemic, industry professionals are seeing unprecedented innovation to adjust to changing recommendations.
But what trends can we expect to last? While we can’t answer that question completely, we at Johnson Simon do have some idea of current architectural design trends that may be here to stay.
Natural Sunlight: The good news is we won’t have to lose the light that minimalism and modernization brought into the mainstream just a decade ago. As we come out of this dark age, we can expect even more movement toward interior glass walls as well as floor-to-ceiling windows. That’s because sunlight is the best natural disinfectant there is, and we’re pretty positive that workers in commercial buildings won’t complain about more Vitamin D.
Dynamic Design: Bring on adaptable furnishings! The days of one-size-fits-all in commercial architecture — from shockingly heavy desks to unmovable couches — are gone at last. We expect modular collections that have a plethora of configurations to fly off the racks, as well as furnishings that can suit both individual work and collaborations, such as cozy chairs with desk attachments.
Densification No More: While we can keep our beautiful windows of the minimalism-era, shared desks and wide-open, cramped workspaces will have to go. It’s a complete reversal of a trend spurred from necessity after the last recession, but to make workers feel safe in a post-pandemic world, 2 feet of personal space is not going to cut it. Desk barriers and (we’re sorry to say it) cubicles may actually make a comeback.
Resimercial: Resimercial design, or bringing home vibes to the office, is nothing new, but the transition back to the office is not going to be easy for many employees. Creating cozy — and cleanable — community spaces that mimic the comforts of home and the freedom of the outdoors will create an environment workers want to stay in and increase productivity and ingenuity.
Have questions on how to bring these design trends into your commercial space? The Johnson Simon team is back in the showroom and is ready to help you with all your design needs. Call us today at (713) 789-6006 to find out more.