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Commercial Trends

By Emily Siwek, Director of Architectural Design

Tracking trends in commercial markets including hospitality, multi-family, office, education and healthcare, gives us the opportunity to look outside of the home and identify both the uniqueness and crossover that drives these ever changing environments.

Our annual commercial macro and design reporting has uncovered many leading trends, here are three we’re currently watching:

1. New Segments

Susan Yashinsky, Sphere Trending Vice President of Innovation notes that various segments of commercial continue to be reinvented for a “new era of productivity that reflects the distinctive needs of five adult generations and their shifting expectations.”

An example is the rise of ‘Zen Dens’ coming in to commercial segements. For today’s sensory deprived society, ‘sensory enabled architecture’ focuses on environments that can help reduce and manage stress.

A Zen Den at Montclair University

We see significant shifts as commercial moves beyond function to include community and creativity.”

-Susan Yashinsky, Sphere Trending VP, Innovation Trends

2. Return to Classic

As identified by Mandi Mankvitz, President at Sphere Trending, “commercial spaces embrace more humancentric attitudes.” An example of this can be seen in a return to classic hospitality in the travel segment. Mankvitz notes that “Curious young travelers are rebelling against modern low-contact accommodations and moving toward genuine, conversation-driven hospitality.”

Take The Henson for example, a 16-room inn located near the Catskills where they “want to see people reading by the fireplace or grabbing a drink to stargaze by the fire pit, guests arriving as strangers and leaving as best friends.”

3. The Organic Office

Lastly, office design is shifting from rectilinear work environments composed of cubes and private offices, to a more amorphous organic landscape that embraces curves, softness, and areas for respite.

A great example is the new Jean Novel seating collection for Coalesse that is “inspired by elemental forms reminiscent of pebbles that combine seamlessly into organic forms — office lounge seating that flows naturally.”

Jean Novel seating collection for Coalesse
Niwa Office by Sight

These are just a few of the insights in our 200+ pages of commercial reporting available now in our 2027 Commercial Macro and Design Forecasts.

We would be happy to offer a free 10 Minute Preview Presentation of the 2027 Commercial Reports – reach out to schedule your call! Reach out for more information at info@spheretrending.com

Boundaryless: Education Evolution

By Lori Salem, Sphere Trending Market Research & Trend Analyst

Exploring the New Commercial Landscape

Next up for our ‘Boundaryless’ theme this month, we’re looking at the new landscape of learning. Here are the top three things happening in education from our recent commercial research.

Play is serious business in education, at the Owairoa Primary School, it is integrated into the school day.

With these modular STEM classrooms, students can connect to nature and technology seamlessly.

In higher education, spaces like The Marshall near the University of Minnesota offer students a wide variety of engaging environments.

The 2025 Commercial Macro and Design Reports are almost here!

If you are interested, please email info@spheretrending.com for more information!

In the meantime, stay tuned for another more key takeaways in commercial spaces. Click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Boundaryless- Recreation Redux

By Emily Siwek, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Architectural Design

Exploring the New Commercial Landscape

First up, in our new commercial landscape series – we’re looking at the shifts in recreation spaces and the future directions for activity spaces like gyms and boutique fitness platforms.

A California mindset inspired by outfitters like Vuori is bringing a new vibe to fitness related spaces focused on California coastal lifestyle activities.

A general move towards longevity is taking shape in the form of softer spaces like this Tai Chi Studio and Tea Bar.

We’re also seeing a shift towards anti-tech workouts and exercises. Props like the Shakti Acupressure Pillow serve as an antidote to modern living.

2025 Commercial Forecast available soon!

Our unique commercial forecast with even more information from a macro and design perspective will out by the end of August! If you are interested, please email info@spheretrending.com for more information!

In the meantime, stay tuned for another more key takeaways in commercial spaces. Click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Boundaryless: Exploring The New Commercial Landscape

Along with our residential research, we have been tracking trends in commercial environments for over a decade. This month, our theme ‘Boundaryless’ addresses the shifts happening in commercial spaces and will focus throughout the month on a different sector of the market.

2025 Commercial Forecast available soon!

We discovered a gap in commercial reporting and in response have created an all-encompassing forecast unlike any in the market. From big picture societal shifts to design details, indoor, outdoor, across all markets for a multi-hyphenate future. Over the past ten years we have been refining this report and this year we are taking it even further to include the Top 10 Cultural Connections influencing commercial spaces. The report will be available at the end of August.

If you are interested, please email info@spheretrending.com for more information!

In the meantime, stay tuned for another more key takeaways in commercial spaces. Click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.