Adaptable spaces looking to the future

Changes in working life and society are also creating new requirements for office design. Flexibility is particularly important when renovating old buildings.

When an office space becomes too cramped or otherwise starts to look like it's seen its best days, the question arises whether to renovate or find a completely new space. In a tightening economy, businesses and property owners are increasingly considering what kind of change they can afford.

In addition to economic issues, there is also a growing desire to take account of sustainability and responsibility in the selection and design of facilities.

”Instead of building new, we renovate the old. No matter how sustainably you build, new construction always requires new materials and raw materials. Of course, product solutions play a big role in how sustainable the choices are,” says FP-Products. Jonathan Vänskä tells you.

In many cases, there is a desire for premises to be located in the city centre, where there are limited options, and smaller square footage may be the answer. This poses its own challenges in terms of space design, and adaptability becomes more important.

When designing facilities, it is a good idea to look not only to the present, but also to the future. Business changes can be difficult to predict accurately in the long term, and as operations evolve, so do the requirements for premises.

”If you choose solutions that are not adaptable, at some point you have to think about renovation or a completely new office. It's worth looking further ahead and preparing for the future,” Vänskä reminds.

When talking about adaptability, it is important to bear in mind that it has two different dimensions. Convertibility is perceived differently by users and property owners. For tenants, adaptability may mean, for example, movable furniture, while property owners need to take into account the adaptability of the premises if the tenant changes.

Trends in working life are also highlighted when designing future office space. Work well-being and the working day experience are also increasingly driving the demands companies place on their premises.

The rise of teleworking and hybrid working has contributed to people wanting to feel particularly comfortable when they are in the office. Employers are listening carefully to the wishes and needs of their staff and the quality requirements of their premises are constantly increasing.

This is reflected in, among other things:

Surface material choices. They want the spaces to be bright and spacious. In older buildings, there may be few windows and the number of windows can rarely be influenced.

”That's why interior designers need to consider how to make the most of natural light in these situations too. Glass is a superior material for this purpose,” says Vänskä.

Acoustics and soundproofing implementations. In multi-user premises, smaller spaces are also needed for quiet working. Achieving acoustics and soundproofing has become more important, and soundproofed small spaces are expected to be comfortable.

”It's good to remember that soundproofing is a subjective and emotional experience. However, there is a lot of science behind it to create the feeling. This drives product and material choices,” says Vänskä.

When designing bright, comfortable, functional and soundproof office spaces, FP Products' new FP Sliding Glass Door is the perfect solution. It makes it possible to bring space and natural light into even the smallest spaces.

The state-of-the-art soundproofing (sound class 35 dB) ensures that it is possible to create peaceful working environments with a glass-like design for a cosy atmosphere.

A soundproof sliding glass door is an excellent option for older properties as it does not require space to open. The door allows for versatility, without forgetting a stylish and modern look.

Are you looking for a partitioning solution that makes even compact spaces adaptable and comfortable. Discover the new sound-insulating sliding glass door from FP Products here.