Corporate gets colourful by Dave Nemeth

The days of working in boring monotone environments with varying shades of grey and beige are long gone, that is if you strive for productive people, which will ultimately create an entirely productive company. Unfortunately many large corporate companies still find their unfortunate staff working in these less than inspiring environments and are probably wondering why their staff is so uninspired and not achieving the great work they are capable of.

To stay in business today is tough and most companies are realising the need to be creative and innovative. This includes everything from banks and insurance companies through to architects, medical practices and even specialised I.T companies. In order to be mentally stimulated, we require a stimulating environment. So how does one decide on what colours to make the various areas in a working environment without creating an eyesore that creates anxiety and confusion instead of the desired effect for what it is intended?

The big trend coming through in corporate space design is that of having a dynamic space. This means that most office workers will not be restricted to a single desk or work station, but rather a space where different activities will be carried out in different areas. I like to refer to these areas as zones, and most consist of the following: collaborative space where teams can come together and interact and have "brainstorm" and "think tank" sessions. These areas should definitely consist of bold and brash colours. We often see a combination of bright colours being used, alongside some novelty things such as walls that are painted with blackboard paint. This concept is not only functional it is far more exciting than traditional white boards or the not so conservation friendly "flip charts" we still see so often. Popular colours for these creative spaces include red, lime green, bright pink and purple.

Boardrooms are generally areas in which important decisions have to be made and are therefore more of a neutral zone. These need to be calming, with no distractive elements. We are starting to see a move away from the traditional dark wood tables and black leather chairs towards pure white spaces. Design wise this is highly effective in creating calmness and creates a fresh approach completely different to the norm. Some spaces are broken by the introduction of a wooden boardroom table in a high grain timber. Controllable RGB lights are also popular concealed in dropped bulkheads that can apple a light glow of varying colour depending on the mood or topic. Large windows if possible are important; the natural light is easily controlled with electronic roller blinds.

Breakaway pods are another key element within the new dynamic workspace, these are, for practical reasons constructed from a highly sound absorbent material. This allows for a small private conversation or alternatively some alone time when an employee feels the need to do non-collaborative projects or admin. These are being designed and manufactured in bold colours which are great for existing spaces where budgets are tight and an overhaul is needed, they quickly add the desired splash of colour which immediately uplifts the overall appeal.

Furniture too is being made more colourful and an executive certainly no longer has to sit behind a drab oversized mahogany desk in an equally oversized leather chair. Chairs within the office environment certainly don't have to be the same style or same colour. People are have individual tastes and we certainly don't live in a one size fits all world. Many companies are finding that by giving their staff these kinds of choices, loyalty and productivity are raised. Many companies are going as far as offering different styled desks and colour variations, for static work stations.

When it comes to the flooring, practicality is key and although the industrial look and concrete floors are all the trend, they are terrible for sound absorption and not always a good idea for large open areas. 

Concrete floors work exceptionally well in reception and canteen areas. Carpets are still a key element in large office areas. The big trend here is customization and bringing in a splash of bright colour into the flooring can now be quite subtle yet highly effective. Wooden floors can also be used to add warmth and provide a great tactile element. The days of drab offices are over, happy staff need a happy environment.