The open, collaborative, sunlit Office of the Future is here—in time for a new wave of development in Orange County. That’s why were excited to present the Orange County Office of the Future next Tuesday, Sept. 30 at the gen2 Building starting at 8am.

The talent that modern companies need—and not just tech companies—wants a radically different office environment, IA Interior Architects managing principal Brian Koshley, who'll be one of our speakers, tells us. (He's with partner Lisa Kelley.) With it, they’ll be more engaged, suffer fewer sick days, and stay longer at the company. At 15440 Laguna Canyon Rd, for instance, which IA Interior Architects did for the Irvine Co, offices aren't along the glass line, to allow for extensive use of natural light.

Allen Matkins partner Brad Nielsen, who will moderate, tells us that although Orange County lags behind technology-centered areas (Silicon Valley and more recently Santa Monica), he believes that more architects are offering this type of a build-out, and more office users are demanding it. Landlords who want to be competitive are designing their new office product and refurbishing their existing product.

DBaC's Bruce Asper, also a panelist, tells us that open spaces aren't just a matter of style, they're important because the technology of our time tends to isolate people. Open space helps bring them back together, the better to collaborate, exchange ideas, and feel part of a greater whole. There's still resistance to the idea—there's always resistance to change—but he says the office of the future, featuring far fewer private offices and more open space, will be increasingly more accepted. The growth of tech and other creative companies in Orange County will help win acceptance of open plans locally. Recently, DBaC has worked on a number of such buildouts here, including space for cosmetics specialist Urban Decay and apparel company La Jolla Group. Come to the Office of the Future to find out more, eat our food, and schmooze. Sign up here.