Trend Forecast 2013: Floor Plans

Sara Pepitone -- Interior Design, 1/1/2013 10:27:00 PM

An image representing Heimtextil's "Geologist" trend.

"Layouts that surprise, encompass elements of experimentation, reminiscence and nostalgia, excitement or interactively trigger, amuse and are utterly desirable," says Anne Marie Commandeur, designer and managing director, Stijlinstituuts Amsterdam. "That is why also light is such a great tool to help to shape environments and color surfaces as well as to shape environments."

"Clients are looking for creative solutions that create value and help improve the experiences of their customers, staff, and users," says Joey Kragelund, AIA, Associate Vice President, HGA Architects and Engineers. "Buildings and spaces, along with their furniture and equipment components, will need to be flexible, durable, and adaptable to changing needs. Solutions should be supportive of rapid technology advancements, and assist in the improvement of operational efficiencies and costs reductions."

Barbara Haaksma, vice president of design and marketing, Milliken, has the same vision. "In 2013 we'll continue to see flexible, open floor plans that are designed to create a series of experiences, based on what end users want people to feel and do as they move throughout their space."

The focus on efficiency at work is clear. "Improved dialogue within the matured community is going to ensure a
more productive workforce oriented layout concept," says Sinmar Said, Manager Partner, ILID. "Layouts will change from close knit spaces to wide open, dialogue friendly spaces. Designers will specifically focus on keeping occupants happy and in tune with the environment with larger views of the outside. Or, where possible, use terraces or JBR walk type outside areas."

Andrea Ruggiero, Principal and Creative Director, Andrea Ruggiero Design, says, "Workspaces will continue to shrink as home offices will continue to grow. The living room will inevitably begin to decline in importance, as the dining room already has, slowly becoming less relevant. Media is being increasingly consumed individually, on tablets instead of televisions and, as a result, transitory informal areas such as kitchens will become increasingly important for rapid everyday interactions."

Haaksma sees a trend of smaller, more intimate places for people to casually meet or for individuals to have a private getaway. "The boutique-like atmosphere provides a more mature aesthetic, where the purpose is to create an intended experience."

And so experience emerges as a need to be fulfilled in 2013. "It is the experience that counts," says Commandeur. "If one invests nowadays, it will be in projects and concepts that are of emotional value."

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