By Jasmin on 09/10/2015
Category: Blog

Modern Vs Contemporary Design - Office Styles

As the office continues to evolve, we see that employee engagement and flexible space matter more and more in the workplace. As such, companies are now opting for designs that cater to a variety of activity settings to keep up with the unpredictable nature of work today. We, too, have observed how better lighting and acoustics influence the overall performance and productivity in the workplace. But is that what entails “modern” or “contemporary” office design?

While they do share some common characteristics, the two styles are essentially different. Those simple, uncluttered designs with their clean, smooth lines and their light artistic touch are part of both genres; however, they each have their own history.

Modern vs Contemporary Design - Style and Architecture

The term “modern” is named for a particular period, dating back to 1930s through 1960s; which is the pre-industrial revolution style. The pieces and materials of the era, mostly polished metals and poly molded plastics, define it so modern design won’t change significantly over time.

“Contemporary”, on the other hand, is anything that’s popular at the moment. It’s not restricted to a specific style but is changing constantly borrowing one-the-go from different eras and trends. Due to the fluid nature of contemporary design, it is possible that modern and contemporary could overlap given what’s popular at the time.

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© Herman Miller - Mod Chairs

The Elements of a Modern Office Setting

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© First Office - Contemporary Office

The Elements of a Contemporary Office Setting

Don’t be afraid to pair classic elements with what you deem hip or trendy. Let your company’s personality determine where it falls on the style spectrum.

 
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About Jamie

As a registered interior designer, Jamie understands the importance of spatial composition, specifying quality products, and meeting budgetary constraints.  [/author_info] [/author]