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A two-story amphitheater connected to the lobby of Publicus Group’s Boston offices is used for company-wide presentations and client receptions and can be configured to accommodate a variety of functions. Photo courtesy of Eric Lainel
Good design is good business. As the pandemic evolves and we begin to navigate the new normal, with hybrid working as part of the mix, executives need to hear: doing nothing is dangerous.
Workplace strategy and design should be part of your business plan going forward. If your company’s workplace doesn’t attract and retain talent, inspire innovation, and reflect the essence and beliefs of your company, you risk running a fluorescent-lit ghost town.
These are vague words, but we live in an age where directness is called for. Consider the findings of a recent study: If employees telecommute three days a week or more on their preferred schedule, they’re about 10 percent less likely to run into a coworker — a metric to worry about. Some of the hybrid world of work is here to stay, which means your workplace can no longer be a passive container for employees, but a machine for engagement and creativity, flattening hierarchies and facilitating spontaneous encounters. It should not be a magnet, but a command.
A good workplace design will help you determine the real estate size of your organization. If employers want to bring people together, human-centered design for the workplace must be at the forefront of their plans. The latest thinking in office design isn’t just about maximizing your square-footage, it’s rethinking the entire design equation — for example, spaces with the most daylight and best views are dedicated to the company as a whole, not the executive suite or guests. . Good design develops collective behavior, promotes relationships and ultimately leads to innovation and business success. As an added benefit, it can reduce the square footage you rent – still one of the top line-item costs of business.
Surveys show disconnection when expected
Nowadays, people return to the office after spending a lot of time looking outwards at their changing habits, skills and goals and into the larger world of work. This is evident in surveys that show the relationship between employers’ and employees’ expectations. Humans are social creatures, and mass remote work has de-socialized what was once a very social activity.
Most people who work in hybrid or completely remote workplaces report having fewer workplace friendships than they used to, and feeling isolated and disconnected. According to Microsoft’s Work Trends Index, this is having a negative impact on safety and productivity. The office is the custodian of your company’s culture and should have plenty of space for people to get to know each other.
Well-designed offices reflect the company’s ambitions and deep convictions. We hear a lot about environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG). But lest ESG become another empty management fad, companies must first create a workplace that prioritizes community and employee interaction, fundamental elements of workplace culture. Social and collaborative spaces should be respected and located in dedicated work zones with high traffic such as company cafes and hospitality.
A constant challenge
In today’s labor market, attracting and retaining the best and brightest employees is a constant challenge that can be affected by the perception of your workplace. Moreover, regardless of the pandemic, the nature of productivity and knowledge entrepreneurship has gradually become departmentalized and project-oriented. Coordination and communication will be key in this new world of work, which means that the workplace must be reinvented to focus on people’s needs around collaborative activities. Does your office do this?
Elizabeth Lowry
Creativity requires time for more reflective, head-down work. We know that people excel at focused work at home, but we also know that the office can definitely support this type of work and be used as an advantage. Office furniture company Steelcase found that employees were more willing to work in the office three days a week if they were given their own desks instead of two days a week in a shared workspace. Essentially, people were willing to “trade” the home-workday for more ownership and control. Many businesses now incorporate this marketing approach into their ROI plans. Balancing this approach with effective design motivates employees to take action and supports the workplace as a strong workplace, culture and community.
Ask yourself: Am I leading a workplace that uplifts, inspires, and facilitates, or am I standing in a ghost town? The answer can affect your bottom line.
Elizabeth Lowry is a principal at Elkus Manfredi Architects, overseeing workplace strategy and design.
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