# Modular Open-Plan Offices Work & Co’s Open-Concept Office Space Was Created as a Gathering Place By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-09-22 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/open-concept-office-space References: [fastcompany](https://www.fastcompany.com/90238559/this-is-the-ultimate-anti-open-office) & [casework.it](http://casework.it/commercial/) With more and more people doing their desk jobs at computers, [open-concept office spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mislad) are becoming the norm. While open-plan spaces can be efficient in terms of design, they are also advantageous for removing isolating cubicles and in general, promoting equality between team members. However, open-concept workspaces can also create their own problems, such as noise, a lack of privacy and despite physical barriers being removed, lead to fewer interactions between co-workers. [Work & Co’s](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nomad-keyboard) new office in Portland, Oregon created by interior design studio Casework addresses these issues and more. The firm intentionally integrated [acoustic solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gn-group) to promote a quiet working environment and challenged itself to create a comfortable, open workplace that felt "warm and almost like a hotel lobby or a home–a gathering place.” Image Credit: [Nicole Mason](http://nicolemason.co/) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.5/10 - Popularity: 90% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Acoustic Solutions in Open-plan Offices:** Opportunity for companies to invest in creative acoustic solutions to promote a quiet working environment and encourage productivity, while maintaining the open-concept design. - **Creating Comfortable Open Workplaces:** Opportunity for companies to design open-concept workspaces that promote a warm and comfortable atmosphere that encourages collaboration and interaction among team members. - **Transforming Open-concept Offices Into Gathering Places:** Opportunity for companies to create workspaces that do not just serve as places to work but also encourage social interactions among employees, similar to a hotel lobby or living room. ### Where This Applies - **Interior Design:** There's an opportunity for interior design firms to create innovative office designs that solve the problems of open-concept workplaces, such as noise and a lack of privacy. - **Office Furniture and Supplies:** There's an opportunity for companies to develop and market acoustic solutions and comfortable furniture specifically designed for open-concept offices. - **Construction:** There's an opportunity for construction companies to collaborate with interior design studios to create innovative and functional open-concept office spaces. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modular Work Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mespace-workstation.md) - [Flexible Office Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deveron-office.md) - [Quirky Solo Office Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/work-capsules.md) - [Work-Enhancing Partitioning Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/partitioning-system.md) - [Multi-Purpose Workspaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kokuyo.md) - [People-Pleasing Office Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cubicle-system.md) - [Modern London Co-Working Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apex.md) - [Acoustic Workstation Hoods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canopy-desk.md) - [Wired Grid Open Offices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scienceio.md)