As Shelly Attila of May Architecture points out, we’re seeing a shift when it comes to not only the style of the typical office, but also who we’re now gearing offices toward.
“Offices were designed based on what the client would experience,” said Attila, RID, IIDA, LEED AP, Director of Interior Architecture for May Architecture. “Focus has shifted to staff retention, so now we are seeing designs geared towards employee satisfaction. We are designing for two audiences—clients and employees.”
The opportunity for tile to affect tone and behavior is becoming more evident in the workplace. Colored tile backsplashes have a playful and uplifting tone that historically appeared in more personal spaces like homes or home studios—even in art museums or along subway platforms—but they’re now on full display at startup companies with typically younger employees. Colored backsplashes inspire creative energy, especially in break areas and employee-only spaces. Custom mosaics in the reception area set the tone the moment people arrive. It breeds freedom of expression, especially if installed to be rotated out on a regular basis to keep the design fresh for the moment.
Conversely, for a more conservative look—a law firm, for example— marble, once a popular choice, is now being replaced by sustainable options because it appeals to a generation with a growing interest in eco-friendly materials at the office too, not just at home.
Designers are also using tile for office floors and walls where there’s an open concept layout with few barriers. It spurs more casual interaction not just in an office kitchen where a home typically has tile, but it’s also great for more functional purposes in common areas where employees are at a higher risk for spilling coffee and drinks.
Without any physical barriers, however, designing in the wildly popular open concept office is not without its challenges.
“In the 1980s and 1990s everything looked the same in a corporate suite, so it was easy to get lost,” Attila said. “We’ve been looking more at floor and ceiling transitions as well as wayfinding by also using changes in color, texture and light.”
Beyond tile for wayfinding in an open office, changes in surfaces along a floor or ceiling signify the beginning of a restricted area or suggest that a change in behavior is expected.
The role of the commercial interior designer must evolve to suit the needs of clients, especially as more people continue to look for inspiration outside the office.
But amid the challenges, it’s an exciting time for commercial interior designers. Offices are no doubt presenting fresh opportunities for us to positively impact workplace behavior with hints of the home.
