Trends In Creative Office

Creative office is becoming increasingly popular around the Los Angeles area, and collaborative types of office space can be found in Santa Monica, Playa Vista and unexpected parts of town, including Culver City.

The more collaborative environments usually include a combination of outdoor and indoor space, according to HOK director of interior design Clay Pendergrast of the LA office.

There is also more open workspace with low panels and fewer enclosed offices, so people can easily see each other, Pendergrast said.

Some do not have assigned spaces but lockers and varying workstations on a daily basis.

CBRE's Gensler-designed Masonic Temple office in Glendale has creative office space offering a free-address and paperless environment similar to its DTLA headquarters.

"I think that the definitions of spaces like reception area, lunchroom — even conference room — are sort of merging, even corridors," Pendergrast said. "All are viewed now as opportunities to work, and they should be equipped accordingly."

Creative office spaces often have access to views and to natural light, he said. More light is coupled with higher ceiling heights and more common spaces for collaborative working, according to Allen Matkins partner John Tipton.

Tipton said creative office seems to be more employee-driven.

"Employees, particularly Millennials, are looking for this kind of creative space," he said.

Pendergrast sees the trends continuing for the most part.

"I think the pendulum is swinging a little bit back and reconsidering have we given people enough opportunities for privacy," he said.

There are also solutions being offered from furniture manufacturers where they try to create an almost 21st century version of a wingback chair in which the person can feel separated.

"Furniture companies are being the most innovative by saying, this isn't just a piece of furniture, this is a virtual room," Pendergrast said.

To find out more about trends in creative office, join us for the Bisnow LA Creative Office event April 13 in Santa Monica.