Story at a glance:
- Collaborative, flexible designs inspire creativity and well-being.
- Adaptable architecture enhances aesthetics and acoustics.
- Modular furniture transforms workplaces for today’s needs.
Modern office design is undergoing a renaissance. Thanks to innovative solutions, advancements in tech, and rising employee expectations, today’s office environments are full of life and prioritize collaboration, flexibility, and well-being.
Whether adding modular furniture, bringing in biophilic elements, or taking advantage of natural light, businesses are adding design features that foster creativity and connection as they look to inspire their workforce.
KI Wall is one example of an innovative company helping people to reimagine their spaces with adaptable architecture and innovative materials that promote collaboration and improve mood.
“We offer demountable walls and have found our way in the market; the biggest differentiator for us is the service package we provide,” says Nate Quintal, senior product marketing manager at KI Wall. “Not a lot of other manufacturers own a project from start to finish. We own the creation of the floorplan drawings, the inception of renderings in early stages of design, and also do project management and everything from installation to freight.”
Evolving Wall Design
KI Wall’s Lightline customizable frameless glass walls blend modern design and an open feeling with privacy. Photo courtesy of KI Wall
KI Wall started in 1989 as a division of KI, and its first product was Systems Wall. Today you’ll find a diverse portfolio of solutions for the office environment, including Evoke, made from durable, sustainable steel and aluminum construction. Evoke blends virtually invisible reveals with stunning finishes like custom inkjet panels and rich powder coat paints.
Glass walls are another trend that has really taken off to meet the evolving needs of the office. KI Wall offers Genius, solid and combination framed glass walls, and Lightline, a frameless glass wall.
Acoustics is so crucial for today’s offices.
“We continue to innovate with frameless glass walls, and that is a large part of our business,” Quintal says. “Doing things like minimizing the amount of framework we have in our systems and keeping on-point with aesthetics and functionality for what the market is looking for is a continuing evolution.”
Glass walls that use materials like laminate glass help to meet employee’s needs by improving acoustics in a conference room or office space. “A framed-glass wall can produce even higher acoustics,” Quintal says. “Price is always important, but acoustics is so crucial for today’s offices, and we have gone through a lot of product development to ensure our glass walls seal off against existing construction.”
Rising Design Trends
KI Wall’s Genius product line features solid, combination, and framed glass architectural walls with customizable finishes and layouts. Photo courtesy of KI Wall
Today’s modern office design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about fostering an environment that enhances employee well-being and productivity. With the rise of remote work, companies are rethinking their spaces to reflect a more dynamic and collaborative approach.
When designing or redesigning an office environment today, companies are focused on project schedules and working with design firms that provide top service and understand the ever-changing needs of today’s workforce. That’s where KI Wall excels.
For example, the company offers freestanding pods, which provide privacy in an office setting with a design that is inviting and functional, with accessories like whiteboards, seating, work surfaces, power outlets, and dimmable switches.
“Those have been very successful for us because there is a big need for enclosed spaces in work environments to have a call or do video conferencing or have a small sit-down meeting,” Quintal says. “We’re seeing more open spaces integrating these freestanding type of pod rooms.”
When it comes to doors, not only are they more visually pleasing, but the technology for door closing technology has come a long way through the use of hydraulic hinges—ideal for the frameless glass doors.
Curved glass is also on the rise. “That trend goes along with the idea of having more curved shapes in general within architecture and design,” Quintal says. “Not just with the glass panels but in the furniture.”
KI Wall is encountering more customers seeking this design feature, as it also helps to disperse sound waves, reducing echo and improving sound quality.
Sustainably Minded
KI Wall’s Evoke features seamless solid and combination walls, with customizable finishes and sustainable construction. Photo courtesy of KI Wall
As organizations continue to evolve, the focus on sustainable practices remains paramount, as companies recognize their responsibility to operate with an environmentally conscious mindset. KI Wall’s commitment to sustainability aligns with the values of today’s workforce.
When KI Wall first started, a big piece of the modular wall industry was the ability to reconfigure the walls, and that’s still an important proponent of the sustainability aspect today. “The recyclable materials we use inside of the walls is also important to us,” Quintal says. The company uses aluminum, steel, and glass, which can all be recycled at end of life.
There’s always innovation happening in KI Wall’s R&D space that is aimed at improving sustainability even more and developing products to better serve their clients. “We continue to look at what the market is looking for,” Quintal says. “We are looking at things to bring costs down, especially in shipping, and get our products out faster.”
KI Wall also continues to consider materiality and integrating new materials into its systems that are appealing to architects and designers. For instance, many now utilize magnetic and acoustically absorbing PET felt panels, digitally inkjet-printed wall panels that bring an artistic touch, and warm, inviting brushed bronze architectural door pulls.
“KI Wall is a prime example of how innovation, sustainability, and a deep understanding of employee needs can come together to create spaces that not only enhance productivity but also nurture a positive workplace culture,” Quintal says.
