While it is conventional to think of office space as just a set of cubicles with tables, chairs and systems, office design has advanced just as technology has grown to keep up with the ever-evolving work environment, work habits, society and culture. It is a clear indicator of progress in an organisation, as employee well-being and efficiency are on priority. Cities like Melbourne are ideal examples of what has been accomplished in office design and ergonomics. It supports over 457,465 jobs in thousands of offices that optimise their work environments for their employees. Products like office furniture in Melbourne celebrate the workforce. They aspire to provide the most ideal, innovative and adaptive design for employees to feel motivated and stay healthy as they optimise their work.
Office Designs and Furniture in the 90s and 2000s
The changes in offices have been drastic since the 1990s to the workplaces of today. Till then, offices had a traditional design, and the changes had been organic. However, this decade saw the advent of computers and their integration into office spaces, which revolutionised furniture design as it had to be adopted by every worker and desk. Since then, its development has been tightly knit to the size, shape and design of computers and additional office accessories and devices that form an integral part of work today. The earlier decade had hard wooden desks with bulky monitors, providing utilitarian furniture. However, by the end, entering the 2000s, the spaces adapted to the technology and saw more open spaces, promoting collaboration and breathability. There was a gradual shift into a casual workspace, comfortable furniture, colourful decor, entertainment space and interactive areas.
As paperwork became obsolete, the focus on storage spaces and cabinets slowly reduced. Instead, new storage and personal lockers became more prominent, allowing open desks for collaborative work and multiple screens.
Features of the 2000s Office Furniture in Melbourne
Reduced Clutter on Desks
Well into the 2000s, one could observe the increased integration of technology in the workspace from computers, desk printers, laptops, mobile phones and other devices that allowed workers to communicate effectively without moving physically from their area. As emails, texts and phone calls took over the communication from faxes, letters and files; the desks became less cluttered.
Supporting Longer Work Hour Stress
As working hard, no matter the condition, was the culture of the workspace in the previous century, the office designers now focus on providing a comfortable and casual environment to workers adding to the advanced features in items like office furniture in Melbourne. It encourages workers to personalise work areas which would help them function for more extended hours analysing data, designing products or generating reports. Even the dress codes shifted from uniforms and office wear to casual wear, increasing employee retention and well-being.
Using Natural Materials
One of the salient aesthetic features of the 2000s offices is the wooden floors and brick walls. They shifted from the rudimentary, utility-focused designs, ergonomics and added some character and style, creating a visually pleasing space for the employees and the clients.
Entering the Office Furniture Styles in the 2010s
Inspiration for Common Rooms, Breakout Zones and Hubs
Communication, networking and collaboration between employees are a priority in offices today, and office spaces are designed to facilitate active interaction. Meetings, group interactions, brainstorming ideas, easy access and open workspaces, and common lunch areas lead to the designing of lounges and hubs.
Worker Well-being
Industrial and organisational psychology actively focus on taking a proactive role in ensuring their well-being and health are cared for through specially designed chairs, standing tables, colour schemes, and spacings.
1Filmy4wap upload movies one or two days after the official release.