Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just changing how we work – it’s transforming where we work too. From office layouts that adapt to employee behaviour to furniture that adjusts itself for comfort and wellbeing, AI is reshaping the future of workplace design in ways that were once only imaginable.
From being influenced by hybrid working, sustainability goals, and now, intelligent technology, at Fenns, we’ve witnessed firsthand how workplace design is evolving. Here’s how AI is set to redefine the modern workspace:
Smarter Workplace Planning
AI is redefining how we understand and optimise office space. By analysing data on occupancy, movement, and usage patterns, AI can suggest layouts that improve both efficiency and wellbeing. Predictive modelling even allows businesses to test “what if” scenarios, exploring how collaboration, energy use, or productivity might change under different layouts.
This data-driven insight empowers organisations to make informed design decisions that truly reflect how their people work.
Intelligent Furniture & Adaptive Spaces
The next generation of office furniture is going beyond comfort and aesthetics. AI-enabled desks and chairs could automatically adjust height, angle, and support to suit individual users, promoting better posture and movement throughout the day.
Smart lighting systems are also emerging, capable of tuning brightness and colour temperature to match the time of day, the task at hand, or even personal preference. The result is a workspace that continuously adapts to enhance comfort, productivity, and overall wellbeing.
Supporting Sustainability
Sustainability remains at the heart of modern workspace design, and AI is becoming a powerful ally in achieving greener goals. It can:
- Optimise material use to minimise waste.
- Track the carbon footprint of different furniture options in real time.
- Support circular economy principles by predicting when and how items can be reused, refurbished, or recycled.
By integrating AI tools into design and procurement processes, businesses can make more sustainable choices without compromising on quality or functionality.
Enhancing the Employee Experience
AI also has the potential to create workplaces that are more responsive and personalised than ever before. Imagine:
- Personalised climate control: HVAC systems that automatically adjust to individual comfort preferences.
- Digital workplace assistants: AI managing meeting room bookings, visitor check-ins, and more.
- Immersive collaboration: VR and AR tools enabling remote workers to collaborate in virtual spaces that feel as natural as being in the same room.
- Smarter space use: AI sensors monitoring occupancy and flow to refine layouts, reduce energy consumption, and improve safety with touchless access systems.
These innovations work together to enhance the everyday employee experience, creating environments that are not only functional but inspiring.
How Fenns Can Help You
AI won’t replace human creativity in workplace design, but it will give designers, manufacturers, and businesses smarter tools to create spaces that work better for people and the planet.
At Fenns, we combine over 150 years of business expertise with forward-thinking partners and technologies to help our clients design workplaces that are ready for the future.
Whether you’re reimagining your existing space, planning a refurbishment, or designing a brand-new office, we can help you create a workspace that’s efficient, sustainable, and designed around your people.
