The Industry Landscape
The interior design services industry is undergoing manifold changes. A multi-faceted profession, interior designing has been largely influenced by societal changes, emergence of complex architecture, new-age technological discoveries and the rising middle class. The contemporary design environment is defined by effective utilization of the given space, user well-being and maximum functionality. Interior designing in workplaces is now being hailed as a science that can aid in reducing stress and fatigue, thereby pushing up productivity levels. The commercial space designs are conceptualized in line with the respective brand identity, enabling the user to connect to the space. The advancement in research, health and lifestyle, neurosciences, data mining and smart technology has broadened the scope of benefits and challenges, alike.

The fundamental scope of interior design services had been evolving. Project management is now a prerequisite. While a flair in design remains the key, a constant involvement through design consultation and development, procurement, implementation, installation and overall project control is emerging as crucial. Project management consultancy (PMC) allows a pro-active approach to cater to user requirements and an effective management solution to create the desired user experience.

The challenges innate to the industry however remains at the core. Strict adherence to the budget and timeline and creating quality unique spaces has consistently proved to be challenging. The elaborate menu of architectural designs, colour schemes and décor ideas engulfs both the designer and user in time-consuming, delayed decision-making. The newly-defined design consultancy services doesn’t limit to blueprints and schematics. Essentially, coordination with other stakeholders, timely documentations, appropriate costing and providing a one-stop solution is the crux to a win-win situation.

The 2020 Facility Designing Trends
As the lines between homes and commercial spaces blur and the interior designers’ role expands to translate user’s vision to life, the design services, once highly specialized, are now diluting. The modern mobile, multi-tasking lifestyles are driving the intersection of commercial and residential designs. Commercial designs that once fused functionality and the style quotient, are now incorporating residential elements to create a homely experience. We now want office-like-cafes and home-like-hotels. The occupant-centred approach will inevitably drive the integration.

The interplay between workspace, culture and performance has to be re-imagined. The modern era is representative of startup experimentation, collaborations, iterations and co-creation. Awareness regarding occupant’s overall well-being and the ‘go green’ campaigns are louder than ever. Interior designing moves a step ahead in 2020 to accommodate collaborative environments, indoor-outdoor blurred transition, environmental wellness and user-centric approach.

Multi-functional workplaces are increasingly catering to the multidisciplinary businesses. Lightweight furniture, movable walls, adjustable lighting and multi-functional ergonomic elements can transform an environment from a meeting room to production area to private space. The upcoming ergonomic trends are fast replacing the traditional workspace design to allow increased productivity and greater creativity and innovation. Adjustable height desks, standing desks, perch tool and ball chairs keep the user active. Collaborative touchdown spaces and outdoor sitting areas enable constant brain stimulation. Biophilic designs and hanging horticulture creates a happy environment, relieves burnouts and makes the space more breathable. The infusion of hospitality elements in workspaces such as restaurants, cafes, comfortable furniture, gaming zones, fitness areas, showers and spas creates an inviting, cool and chic atmosphere. While the usage of artwork, digital signage and quirky choice of decors adds to the vibrancy quotient, themed-spaces and monochromatic colour schemes trigger creative expressions.

As the facility environments continue the ongoing evolution, sustainability and ecological compliance runs parallel to the human-centric designs. This macro trend includes access to minimally processed materials, recycled and ‘green’ building materials and adherence to a spectrum of certifications such as LEED. While the Building management system (BMS) controls and monitors the ventilation, fire, security and power systems, the Lighthouse monitoring system (LMS) monitors temperature, relative humidity and other environmental sensors.
Future of Innovative Facilities & Workplace Services
As user experience continues to define the industry, the increasing impact of design on the user calls for designers who can also visualize, strategize and lead. With workplace strategy becoming the key enabler for employee retention and engagement, new workplace standards such as agile seating, hot desking, cycling workstations and treadmill desks are catching up. While modular workspaces enhance flexibility, wellness-focused designs and lifestyle amenities enrich user experiences. The challenge however is to strike a balance between workplace investment and employee engagement.

The adoption of IoT (Internet of Things) in computing, energy consumption, occupant experience, and security systems is gathering pace. Integrated workplace management systems and IoT can add a considerable deal of building intelligence and create 360 degree smart buildings. Smart facilities can directly impact user productivity with thermal comfort, lighting, air quality, sanitation and security. IoT devices such as the motion sensors for lights can switch off lights in vacant spaces and automated temperature controls can adjust as per weather conditions, enabling efficient energy management. PoE and LED systems enable real-time communication between the building, end users and the environment. Lighting systems that mimic sunlight and auto-adjusts according to the time/season are not too far-fetched. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that aids easy exchange of information and real time identification and monitoring of equipment and buildings can integrate transparency in operations and maintenance.

Robotic process automation is in its nascent stage in facility management area. However, the technology has the potential to overtake repetitive tasks such as lawn mowing or cleaning and hazardous tasks such as security patrol. Depending on the pace of technology maturity, humanoids at the reception in the near future may not be a shocking phenomenon. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) solutions has the potential to transform the idea of facilities management. However, they demand workforce skill level, IT infrastructure and market support.

As the emphasis on quantification of workplaces are gradually gaining prominence, facilities analytics and data-driven decision making is yet another upcoming trend. IoT devices-retrieved data and facility management software can enhance the understanding of workplace functioning and user requirements. While descriptive data can provides insights, predictive, diagnostic and prescriptive data can help in smarter space utilization, predictive cost modelling and workspace management.
As the contracting models witness a metamorphosis, fixed and value-driven models are expected to make an entry. With facilities consuming a significant amount of energy and water resources, globally, organizations are redirecting their focus to reduce energy expenditures. Energy efficiency is increasingly viewed as an investment strategy. Themes such as renewable energy sources, thermal energy storage, energy trading and rainwater recycling can drastically improve the facilities’ energy performance.

As the facilities and workplace design industry moves steady on the road to disruption, organizations are gearing up their strategy, capabilities and culture to harness the upcoming trends.