The Hybrid Workplace Has Changed Expectations
Since the 2020 lockdowns, we’ve all grown used to remote work, video meetings, and digital collaboration. At home, people enjoy simple, familiar technology in spaces tailored to them… their home! So why, when they come into the office, should they encounter systems that are complicated, unreliable, or poorly integrated? Technology that gets in the way of collaboration rather than enabling it?
Now, more than five years on since we were all making sourdough starters, doing Zoom quizzes and cutting our own hair, remote work remains a valuable part of modern culture. But businesses and employees alike recognise the importance of face-to-face time. Organisations are therefore investing in making their offices more appealing, with spaces that encourage connection and collaboration.
The Gap Between Visual Design and Functional Reality
Employees expect a modern workplace designed for the hybrid era, where technology is seamlessly integrated into their environment, supporting rather than hindering the way they work. However, many architects, interior designers, and workspace consultants remain primarily focused on the aesthetic vision. The audio-visual and collaboration technologies needed to make these spaces truly functional are too often an afterthought. The result can be poorly integrated AV systems, unexpected rework costs, visible cabling or brackets compromising design intent, project delays, overspend, and ultimately, audio-visual systems that are difficult to use, manage and support.
The Value of Early AV Engagement
Engaging early with an AV consultant, or a design and build partner like ISDM Solutions, allows critical elements such as acoustics, lighting, cabling infrastructure, and even furniture selection to be planned around the functional requirements of your conferencing and collaboration needs.
Vendor-Agnostic Guidance Across the Modern Workplace
Because ISDM remains vendor-agnostic, we can provide impartial guidance on all aspects of corporate audio-visual design for video conferencing, town hall and auditorium spaces, meeting rooms, huddle spaces, and digital signage.
ISDM are unique in the market in being able to offer Enterprise Network solutions and Smart Building technologies. This enables us not only to design and deliver the infrastructure on which your conferencing solutions run, but our Smart Building sensors can deliver detailed insights into how your spaces are being used and provide valuable data upon which future workspace decisions can be made.
Why AV Matters in the RIBA Plan of Work
The RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Plan of Work provides a clear framework for managing the lifecycle of a construction or refurbishment project, from initial strategy through to occupation and operation. Yet, despite AV and collaboration technology being fundamental to how modern workplaces function, AV is rarely given real consideration until the later stages.
ISDM Solutions’ AVIXA CTS-certified designers and consultants have experience supporting organisations at every stage of the RIBA Plan of Work. Our team engages with your stakeholders, end users, IT, and facilities teams to understand how your employees would like to use the spaces. We translate those needs into clear, functional designs to be communicated back to the architect and design team.
At ISDM, we have seen that the most successful technology integrations begin when AV design is introduced as early as Stage 1 (Preparation and Brief) or Stage 2 (Concept Design). Early engagement ensures that the project brief includes clear functional and experiential outcomes, defining how each space will be used, what technologies may be needed, and what infrastructure will support them.
By Stage 3 (Spatial Coordination), architectural layouts, ceiling designs, and electrical containment can all be coordinated with the AV systems. This prevents clashes with lighting, HVAC, and architectural features while ensuring the design intent is preserved.
When the AV systems are left until Stage 4 (or sometimes even until after the building is complete!), compromises invariably have to be made – whether that’s insufficient power or data outlets, poor meeting room acoustics, undersized containment routes, or limited space for equipment racks. These issues inevitably lead to redesigns, increased cost, and programme delays.
Integrating Technology as Part of the Design Language
Engaging an experienced AV design and build partner throughout the RIBA stages means that technology is not an afterthought, but a fully integrated part of the building’s design language and functionality, contributing to both aesthetic and operational excellence.
Creating Collaborative Workplaces That Work
A modern workplace should inspire collaboration, not frustration. Engaging ISDM Solutions early in your RIBA journey brings AV expertise into the heart of your design process, ensuring every space performs as beautifully as it looks.
From concept to completion to ongoing support, ISDM can help you create a workplace where technology truly enables your people to collaborate.
Written by Ben Kaye,
Head of Design, ISDM Solutions
