People in collaborative workspace

Insight

How can office design entice people back to the workplace?

Workplace design is changing in a post-pandemic world. We look at why offices need to work harder and much more in our latest insight.

Paul Dare

Head of Design

18th May 2021

Why is the office important?

Offices have taken a back seat. Over the past year most people have largely worked from home, juggling real life responsibilities and the 9-to-5 grind. But, despite this, we firmly believe that the workplace still has a vital role in shaping an organisation’s culture, values, behaviour and attitudes.

What does the future hold for workplaces?

Some may be eager to get back to the familiarity of working alongside colleagues, others may be more reluctant. The one common thread? Both groups will return with totally different mindsets and expectations.

Our changed realities in a post-pandemic world put more emphasis on the overall workplace experience and organisation’s culture. We need to think differently about how space works to entice employees back.

It’s all about balance and flexibility now. This is what everyone wants: to achieve equilibrium between home and office working and a balance between their personal and professional lives.

office kitchen designed for balance

How can my design create a balanced workplace?

The workplace will need to have a variety of work settings which meet the everyday needs of employees in a meaningful way. A truly thoughtful design will provide a warm welcome, the space to create memorable moments and a home-away-from-home atmosphere, alongside collaborative, quiet and wellbeing areas.

Employees may have forgotten what makes your organisation unique and why they chose to work for you in the first place. More than ever, now is the time to remind them of who you are and what you stand for - and focusing on the design of your office is a great place to start.

If you'd like to learn more about this topic, and how to incorporate your culture into your workplace, click here to read Workplace culture and the office of the future.

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