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The latest trends in office design reflect employers’ desire to entice workers to come to productive, collaborative environments that can’t be replicated in a home office. While companies tout the cultural and collaborative benefits of return-to-office, some workers remain hesitant to give up their work-from-home lifestyles. The 2025 trends in office design focus on crafting spaces that function better than a home office, making it possible for employers to attract and retain the best talent for in-office and hybrid roles.
Below are 11 trends in office design for 2025 and beyond, according to Lawrence Group Workplace Market Leader Sharon Henderson, NCIDQ:
- Free desking replaces assigned spaces
- Paperless offices lead to less storage
- Offices are dividing into task-based zones
- Right-sized spaces replace big offices
- Hybrid rooms accommodate hybrid workers
- Smart buildings are reducing energy costs
- Sustainable offices take center stage
- Inclusive design ensures everyone feels welcome
- Designs promote opportunity for physical activity
- Biophilic design brings the outdoors in
- The office cafeteria is now a work café
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PVI is a leading manufacturer of industry-best commercial and industrial water heaters fabricated from durable AquaPLEX duplex stainless steel, making its units naturally immune to corrosion. They require no supplemental tank linings or anode protection systems giving PVI water heaters superior reliability and longevity.
PVI offers water heaters configurable for any common energy source including natural or LP gas, oil, boiler water, solar, steam, electricity and waste heat. Its models range from instantaneous and on-demand water heating to storage water heaters. PVI also offers “engineered-to-order” products to match a facility manager’s specific requirements. Available through a nationwide network of independent and factory sales representatives, PVI units are proudly backed with the industry’s strongest warranties and service policy packages. PVI offers a durable solution for water heating projects.
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Organizations are under increased pressure to control and cut costs while maintaining high levels of services and quality. With growing work order volumes, shrinking budgets, and a shortage of qualified labor, facilities management (FM) teams are turning to automation and innovative technology to streamline processes and boost productivity, according to global commercial real estate and investment management company JLL’s new State of Facilities Management Technology 2024 Report.
The report discusses how automation and technology drive efficiency and effectiveness amid understaffing and budget constraints. It highlights the key trends and priorities shaping the facilities management (FM) industry. It reveals how automation and innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in overcoming the challenges FM teams encounter. The research findings address these key areas of concern for FMs: Heavier workloads, Less resources; Sustainability; Preventive maintenance; AI.
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Wooster Products is the industry leader in anti-slip stair treads and walkway products. They have been manufacturing anti-slip products for new construction, renovation and OEM applications since 1921 from their Wooster, Ohio, facility. Long respected for quality and innovation, their products include cast iron (Ferrogrit), cast aluminum (Alumogrit), extruded aluminum (Spectra, Supergrit, Stairmaster, and Flexmaster), pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (Flex-Tred), and coatings (WP-70, Walk-A-Sured, and Safe-Stride), as well as photoluminescent nosings and treads (NITEGLOW).
Their work is featured in commercial, industrial, and residential settings worldwide. Wooster Products can provide anti-slip solutions for any project; stadiums, office buildings, apartments, restaurants, sidewalks, transit stations, trucks, trailers, boats, planes and more.
Contact Wooster Products today to “Make Every Step a Safe One.”
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The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has just announced the release of Gamechanger: A Facility Manager’s Guide to Building a Relationship with AI. This new publication serves as a guide for facility management (FM) professionals ready to embrace the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). From predictive maintenance to optimizing energy efficiency, AI is rapidly reshaping the way facility managers operate, and this guide provides a foundational roadmap for understanding and leveraging these advanced tools.
In Gamechanger, readers will discover clear and practical explanations of key AI concepts such as machine learning and machine vision. More importantly, they will gain valuable insights into how these technologies can effectively apply to real-world FM challenges. The guide provides a step-by-step approach to successful AI deployment, offering actionable advice on aligning AI strategies with business goals, managing organizational change, and ensuring data governance and infrastructure readiness. Crafted with the busy facility manager in mind, the guide is designed to be accessible, making AI a practical and achievable asset for any FM professional.
Join the October 10 panel discussion at IFMA World Workplace in San Antonio, Texas.
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Versteel announces the latest addition to its ever-expanding Troupe family: Troupe Media Wall. Whether used for meetings, as a media presentation platform or to delineate space within open environments, this versatile addition to the Troupe collection is designed to support the diverse demands of contemporary spaces.
The Troupe Media Wall offers unparalleled flexibility as a freestanding collaboration hub. Free from the limitations of traditional wall-mounted units, it empowers designers to craft adaptable, dynamic spaces that balance the need for separation with a strong sense of community. With a focus on supporting today’s agile work environments, the Troupe Media Wall enhances the ability to configure spaces that evolve alongside organizational needs.
Designed by Qdesign exclusively for Versteel, the Troupe Media Wall is a testament to the art of metalwork and design. Troupe draws inspiration from the tradition of forging and shaping steel, featuring tapered legs with a unique inverted profile that combines bold lines with a touch of softness. This blend of aesthetics and functionality reflects Versteel’s commitment to innovative, timeless design.
Visit Versteel at Healthcare Design (HCD) booth #843 and World Workplace booth #2309.
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When we invest in high-purchase items such as carpets, fabrics, and other furnishing, we want them to withstand the rigors of daily life. We don’t always appreciate that the secret to long-lasting products often lies in the materials used to make them, points out Universal Fibers. For carpets, textiles, and apparel, durability starts with using nylon 6,6, the best material for the job. Since its early use in World War II parachutes, nylon 6,6 has been known for its durability and strength, even when spun into thin, lightweight fibers.
Today, nylon 6,6 can often be confused with other, less sturdy fibers that tend to perform poorly over time. These less durable materials often lead to disappointment and eventually end up in landfills. The strength of nylon 6,6 comes from two key factors: how well it holds up under stress (tenacity) and how well it resists wear (abrasion).
Nylon 6,6 is stronger than other fibers, meaning it tears less easily and holds its shape longer. This strength offers significant advantages in many applications, particularly textiles and carpets. The increased resistance to tearing and stretching makes garments more durable and long-lasting, even when subjected to regular wear and tear. For carpets, this means better resistance to foot traffic and flattening, keeping them looking newer for longer.
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NFMT REMIX (National Facilities Management & Technology) returns to Las Vegas October 25-26 with the theme: Empowering People, Advancing Practice. NFMT REMIX will empower FMs with world-class education sessions, constant networking opportunities, and access to pertinent FM subject matter, experts and influencers. Process, procedure and technology converge at NFMT Remix to give attendees the tools to advance their practice by driving innovation and optimizing performance within their facilities.
The scope and scale of NFMT Remix attract facility leaders from all types of organizations, from Fortune 500s to small municipalities and all those in between. By attending education sessions, visiting the Expo Hall, and joining networking events, NFMT Remix attendees stay at the forefront of facilities management and gain the perspective they need to make informed decisions.
Whatever problem an FM is working to solve, they will find the solution in the NFMT Remix Expo featuring more than 100 of the nation’s top-tier companies. For a more in-depth look at new FM products and services, the Expo’s Learning Labs provide informative, 20-minute sessions exploring the latest FM technology solutions.
Register for NFMT REMIX here.
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by Danine Alati — With a steadfast commitment to sustainability at the heart of Mantra Inspired Furniture's ethos and deeply embedded in its product development, it’s no wonder the company won 2024 Best of NeoCon Sustainability Awards in two categories for its Unity Table Collection. As Matt Cheadle, creative director at Mantra Inspired Furniture (MantraIF), succinctly puts it, “Sustainability is far more than a mere buzzword for us; it is the cornerstone of every piece we design.” He further emphasizes that as a women-owned enterprise, the company prides itself on creating commercial furniture that not only enhances interiors but also aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
In addition to its two Sustainability Awards, MantraIF also earned a Silver Award and a Business Impact Award in the Tables: Café category for the Unity Collection. Susan Pilato, president and CEO of Mantra Inspired Furniture, reflects on the impact of her company’s participation in NeoCon over the past four years, describing it as a “game changer” and expressing a desire to boost the visibility of women-owned businesses in the industry. “There are relatively few women-owned manufacturers in our sector, especially from Virginia,” she notes. “We hope our presence at NeoCon will inspire other women to explore careers in manufacturing and design.”
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Technology research firm IDTechEx’s new report, Sustainable Future Aviation 2025-2045: Trends, Technologies, Forecasts, finds the hydrogen airplane market will be worth US$28.4 billion in 2045. The largest part of this will be coming from hydrogen-powered narrow-body commercial airliners. However, this can only happen with strategic infrastructure investment at the right airports.
Hydrogen is a promising option for the future of aviation. Unlike batteries, it has enormous gravimetric energy density, allowing the plane to carry plenty of energy without becoming too heavy. The limitation of hydrogen is its volumetric energy density — the space it takes up. Because hydrogen is light, it occupies far more space than jet fuel for the same amount of energy. At room temperature and pressure, a hydrogen tank would need to be more than 3,000 times the size of a jet fuel tank to hold the same energy. Compressing hydrogen helps to get more energy into a smaller volume. Liquid hydrogen (LH2) is even more dense. The range of a hydrogen plane can be improved further by switching to a fuel-cell electric propulsion system rather than a hydrogen-combustion turbofan, extending the range of the hydrogen plane by approximately 50%.
Although highly promising, there will still be years of testing, development and certification before the first passenger-carrying hydrogen flights take off. But along with the aircraft development, there needs to be infrastructure investment made at airports to handle liquid hydrogen. It will take some key airports investing in the hydrogen infrastructure to kick-start the hydrogen air travel market.
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by Danine Alati — Over the past year, KI has observed significant shifts in the modern workplace, leading to the debut of three innovative collections at NeoCon 2024. The company made a notable impact, entering 10 submissions into the Best of NeoCon competition and earning two prestigious awards. The comprehensive Tributaire Collection of tables clearly left the greatest impact on the Best of NeoCon judges, and as a result won two Silver Awards celebrating its "supreme sophistication, extreme versatility and effortless reconfiguration."
KI also unveiled its Infinity Work Pod in the nascent Work Pod category, reflecting the evolving needs of today’s office landscape. Described by one Best of NeoCon juror as “an interesting departure from a normal 'pod," the Infinity Work Pods are redefining flexible, adaptable workspaces by addressing privacy and acoustic needs in an innovative way. “Infinity Work Pods support hybrid work environments through integrated technology and privacy, while also being able to flex to changing group sizes and needs,” said the juror.
Additionally, KI introduced the versatile Sonrisa lounge collection in Lounge Furniture Collections and Seating: Sofas and Lounge categories. Sonrisa strikes an elegant balance between casual comfort and sophisticated style. With a soft, contoured design and a compact footprint, Sonrisa lounge chairs, loveseats, benches and ottomans are crafted to optimize space utilization while maintaining ergonomic support, offering a small yet accommodating seat.
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SJP Properties has just announced two major office leases at its Waterfront Corporate Center I in Hoboken, New Jersey. Waterfront Corporate Center is a premier office and retail development in Hoboken. It offers 1.5 million square feet of Class A space in three buildings along the city’s master-planned Hudson River waterfront.
Unilever
In one of the largest Northern New Jersey office leases of the year, Unilever, the world’s sixth largest consumer goods company, has selected SJP Properties’ Waterfront Corporate Center I for its U.S. Headquarters. The company has taken a 111,000-square-foot long-term lease for three full floors at the 111 River Street building. SJP Project Solutions, a division of SJP Properties dedicated to end-to-end design and construction services, is serving as the project and construction manager and will provide a custom buildout for the tenant. Unilever will occupy the property in spring 2025, gaining a competitive edge in accessing the vast labor pool in New York City and the surrounding metro area while retaining existing talent with easy access to Bergen County.
Sumitomo Mitsui Bank
Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, a leading chartered trust and banking company, has also signed a long-term lease for 30,000 square feet at Waterfront Corporate Center I, where Sumitomo staff recently settled into their new office space on the ninth floor.
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This week's Featured Book from FMLink Books is part of a collection of peer-reviewed books curated by the FMLink editorial team to provide facilities, engineering and A&D professionals with access to publications relating to the Costbooks topic.
The 2025 BNi General Construction Costbook is your essential resource for precise cost estimation.
Costbook key features:
- Access precise details for over 15,000 items from paving to finish carpentry.
- Unit of measure, material cost, labor cost, and equipment cost per unit provided for each item.
- Stay up to date with accurate material costs researched by experts.
- Labor costs based on the latest prevailing wage rates from the U.S. Department of Labor.
This and other Costbooks titles are available for purchase on FMLink.
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