In the next five to seven years, Millennials will make up 45% of the workforce, so get ready for future office amenities like photo studios, hammocks, tiki lounges or even conference rooms shaped like UFOs. That’s why we’re excited to hold our San Diego Creative Office Summit on Dec. 16 at 5015 Shoreham Pl, starting at 8am.

AVRP Studios president Chris Veum, who will speak at the event, tells us that a number of factors are shaping the future of creative office, but none more important than the expectations of the rising generation of Millennials. “Right now there are four generations in the workplace, including about 45% Baby Booomers, who still tend to have more traditional ideas about their space,” he says. In the not too distant future, Millennials, who have different ideas, will dominate.

Chris points out that Millennials want to be freed, fueled and inspired by their workplace. “They don’t want to sit at a desk all day, and flexibility is vital, which means they want their space to be flexible," he explains. In recent years, the kitchen has often become a main gathering and fueling place, making it a more important design element. Also, good design reflects a company’s values, because Millennials want to share their company’s values and culture, and to be inspired by them. Pictured: The offices of RedDoor Interactive in San Diego, designed by AVPR Studios, are “tailored to the people who work there,” says Chris. Business Insider recently named the space as one of the top 10 coolest offices in the country, with an open floor plan for employees to work, eat and play.

Geography is another important driver in creative office space, Chris tells us. For instance, West Coast companies tend to want greater access to natural lighting for everyone in the office, not just those fortunate enough to have offices with windows. But it’s important not to generalize too much about geographic differences, because companies everywhere have individual needs, cultural drivers and business models. Chris says his firm works interactively with clients early in the design process to best express their preferences in their space. Pictured: AVRP Studios’ design for Microsoft in Chicago, which not only reflects the adjacent Millennium Park, but also incorporates an executive briefing center, training area and customer labs, along with a centrally located cafe and lounge with wireless/mobile TV access for employees (and Forbes put it on its coolest list in ’13). To hear more, please join us for our San Diego Creative Office Summit on Dec. 16 at 5015 Shoreham Pl, starting at 8am. Sign up here!