This year we celebrate a special milestone: the 20th anniversary of Sprank. What began as an idea to improve work environments grew into a trusted name in office design. Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen not only how workspaces changed dramatically, but also how we stayed our own course in doing so. In this article, we look back on the developments of the past two decades with Mark and Luc, the founders of Sprank, and look ahead to the future.
From flexible workplaces to technology-driven offices
Luc and Mark agree that one of the most striking trends in office design was the rise of flexible workplaces. Luc explains, “Hybrid working, which came about as a result of the pandemic, is so far a lasting change. Companies are still struggling with the balance between working from home and working in the office, and that affects how office spaces are designed. Meeting rooms, for example, must now be adapted to online meetings, which places new demands on design.” Mark adds, “In the early years of Sprank, we already saw a trend toward flexible workspaces. This was due to the need for more collaboration and creativity in the workplace. Companies started experimenting with open spaces, shared workstations and multifunctional zones, rather than fixed workstations. This development has since become an essential part of modern office designs.”
In addition, technology is playing an increasing role in office designs. Mark: “The integration of technology was another important change. Modern offices are now equipped with everything from sophisticated meeting rooms with videoconferencing equipment to smart lighting.”
Hybrid working and sustainability as keywords
The shift to hybrid working, accelerated by the pandemic, has led to a fundamental review of how offices are set up. Luc: “Hybrid working is now widely accepted and because of this we have started to design offices differently. Meeting rooms have to be adapted for both physical and online meetings and there is more room for multifunctional workspaces. We often compare offices to a city, with districts, neighborhoods and streets, where facilities are shared across different parts of the office.”
Mark stresses the importance of sustainability: “The biggest change we’ve seen in recent years is the focus on sustainability. Whether it’s the use of materials such as carpet, ceilings and furniture, or energy-efficient solutions, companies are much more conscious of their carbon footprint. This is something that will become increasingly important.”
Tipping points
When Luc and Mark look back at the projects that really made a difference for Sprank, they both name the early projects at Koppert and Bakker Barendrecht as crucial to their growth. Mark: “The projects at Koppert and Bakker Barendrecht were real turning points for us. Thanks to the efforts of professional interior designers, we were able to design spaces that were not only functional, but also visually appealing and inspiring. These projects helped us become more professional and bigger.”
Luc adds, “What these projects taught us most of all is how important it is to evaluate each project. After each project, we review with the team what went well and more importantly, what can be improved. We take those lessons to the next project, so that each new project is another step forward.”
Koppert project photo from 2016
The future: AI and human-centered design
When talking about the future of office design, both Luc and Mark see technology as a major player. Luc: “AI is going to play an increasing role in how we design offices. Making designs visual is already important, and with AI we can work faster and smarter. AI can help us make data-driven decisions, allowing us to be even more responsive to users’ needs.”
But, a big role remains for human-centered design: “At the end of the day, everything is about people. We need to create spaces that are not only functional, but also comfortable and inspiring. AI can help us speed up the design process, but the focus always remains on the well-being of the people using the space.” Says Mark.
De kernwaarden die blijven
Despite all the technological advances and new trends, both Luc and Mark emphasize that Sprank’s core values have always remained central. “Our core values – bold, open and personal, inspiring and committed – form the basis of everything we do,” says Luc. ”We don’t design for ourselves, but for our clients. Everything we make has to sparkle, and you can see that in our designs.” Mark concurs: “For us, it’s all about paying attention to people and creating good designs. We want people to feel good in the spaces we design, and that starts with listening to their needs.”
The Sprank workshop
The future of Sprank
With twenty years of experience, Luc and Mark look confidently to the future of Sprank. Luc: “The combination of technology, flexibility and people-centered design will continue to drive us. We will remain true to our core values as we look ahead to the next challenges.”
Mark concludes, “Whatever happens, we will continue to design offices that make a real difference in people’s daily lives. That’s what Sprank stands for, and it always will be.”