Design Insider went out to the BCFA Members to see what their experience and thoughts are on the crossover of design between different market sectors.
Here is what they said:
Protocol on Hospitality and Healthcare
“We have always worked a lot with the hospitality/hotel sector. One of the current trends is to expand the use of hotel lobbies as meeting areas and mobile offices. Large spaces are broken up in smaller, more private areas, WiFi and tablets make traditional desks and big meeting room tables unnecessary. This trend is also seen in the reverse direction, where commercial offices are designed to have a more relaxing, informal character.
From a hotel perspective, the traditional lobby area is not a heavily used space but would definitely be missed if not there. By making the lobby more inviting to conduct business in, the area will get more use and look livelier while the hotel is fulfilling a need of their clients. From a commercial point of view, making offices look more informal and welcoming puts clients at ease and offers employees a pleasant work environment.”
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Roca on Education
“We’re starting to see an increase in the up-scaling of products for student pod-style accommodation and small-scale urban living property markets. As space in these properties is limited, innovative products such as Laufen’s Sentec solid surface material shown here in the new King’s Cross Crowne Plaza, can be customised to meet client specifications.”
Newmor on Healthcare
“Newmor see a growing trend for vinyl wallcoverings across commercial interiors. Subtle use of texture and metallic allow designers to adapt the ambience of interiors to reflect how the space is used. A lobby area can transition from a business meeting room during the day to a glamourous drinks venue in the evening. There is increasing demand for custom design, whether its creating feature walls or adapting hospitality designs for specific healthcare needs.
We believe biggest factor is design democracy, we as consumers are better attuned to good design and want to feel comfortable in our surroundings. Offices have become softer and less formal with relaxed meeting areas, largely because of mobile devices. Healthcare is less clinical and more influenced by hospitality. Newmor recently worked with Devon Interiors on an Anchor Care Home project where we adapted the colour values of our wallcovering for dementia patients. Using the same patterns with just the tones altered created a beautiful and cohesive interior space for all residents to enjoy.”
Maine on Office
“Traditionally storage and filing has been primarily office furniture, but in the last 10 years there has been a blurring of the lines between home and office. Offices are a much more dynamic space now, with breakout areas and bespoke requirements to express individuality. Maine have expanded all their mobile storage so it is not just pedestals fixed next to the desk with stationery trays and filing below, but mobile storage, which can be next to the desk or have soft seat pads added for breakout areas and a much more relaxed, homely feel. Colours used to be specified to adhere to a corporate brand, but this has expanded to include fun and exciting finishes and designer tops to the units, all designed to create a space that doesn’t say traditional office.
Well being within the workplace is taking a priority alongside productivity. This has an effect upon all the furniture specified, including storage. We have seen an increase in planters specified, in order to introduce plants within the office in a streamlined and organised manner. There are proven health benefits for plants in the workplace as well as making it look a much more natural and attractive space. Branding is becoming much more sophisticated and holistic within office design, instead of just applying colours and a style of furniture, branding embraces the whole core values of the company, which is reflected in office design. With this holistic approach it naturally embraces the well being of staff and how staff and their clients feel within a space. This leads to office reception areas looking like hotel lounges and quiet work areas feeling like a home office. Much more concern is given to making everyone connected feel good rather than just a functional space.”
“We have always worked a lot with the hospitality/hotel sector. One of the current trends is to expand the use of hotel lobbies as meeting areas and mobile offices. Large spaces are broken up in smaller, more private areas, WiFi and tablets make traditional desks and big meeting room tables unnecessary. This trend is also seen in the reverse direction, where commercial offices are designed to have a more relaxing, informal character.
“We’re starting to see an increase in the up-scaling of products for student pod-style accommodation and small-scale urban living property markets. As space in these properties is limited, innovative products such as Laufen’s Sentec solid surface material shown here in the new King’s Cross Crowne Plaza, can be customised to meet client specifications.”
“Newmor see a growing trend for vinyl wallcoverings across commercial interiors. Subtle use of texture and metallic allow designers to adapt the ambience of interiors to reflect how the space is used. A lobby area can transition from a business meeting room during the day to a glamourous drinks venue in the evening. There is increasing demand for custom design, whether its creating feature walls or adapting hospitality designs for specific healthcare needs.
“Traditionally storage and filing has been primarily office furniture, but in the last 10 years there has been a blurring of the lines between home and office. Offices are a much more dynamic space now, with breakout areas and bespoke requirements to express individuality. Maine have expanded all their mobile storage so it is not just pedestals fixed next to the desk with stationery trays and filing below, but mobile storage, which can be next to the desk or have soft seat pads added for breakout areas and a much more relaxed, homely feel. Colours used to be specified to adhere to a corporate brand, but this has expanded to include fun and exciting finishes and designer tops to the units, all designed to create a space that doesn’t say traditional office.