There’s no question that we do need offices, but do we need them the way they were?
There’s no question that we do need offices, but do we need them the way they were?
The evolution of workplace design has been studied and talked about for decades. We think about the purpose of the office more strategically, and how our changing worlds inevitably shapes the work environments we share.
Today, organisations need to balance a flexible workforce, technology, all while working towards building trust, organisational creativity, and diversity. There are three key pillars we think are critical in workplace design.
Placemaking as a design principle in office design is multifaceted, it aims to balance the concept of a place which is desirable to come to and company culture which employees want to belong to.
Single-use spaces no longer suffice. The default strategy to address agility within the workplace has traditionally been an open plan setting. In recent years, it has become evident that relying solely on an open-plan setting falls short in terms of addressing employees’ privacy, wellness, and comfort needs.
As consumers’ expectations for superior service from brands spill over into the workplace, driven by the blurring of lines between personal and professional life, companies are taking steps to enhance their offices with hospitality-inspired spaces and amenities. Making people feel at home strengthens the connection between people and the places they share, helping to build physical, cultural and social identities.
Redefining the future of work is a unique journey for any organisation. It’s never a one size fits all process. It requires a form of self-examination to gain a clearer understanding of the significance of the workplace, the social networks that foster productivity, as well as the specific needs of employees.Placemaking combined with a hybrid workplace strategy provides a methodical and tailored approach to building an organisation’s brand home - it balances the needs of both the individual and the organisation.We unpack more of this in our annual workplace review.