The workplace of the future is a platform for conversation and collaboration, whether in-person, remotely or both. As boundaries between work and home blur, the need for inviting workspaces is more important than ever. Fritz Hansen is working with design solutions for five key spaces in offices where good design can greatly impact the people working there. Discover the impact of good design across five key spaces within the modern workplace.
Collaboration spaces are becoming more important as the era of individualised work becomes just one aspect of the modern workspace experience. An ideal collaboration space will fit the individuals’ needs and the interactions the organisation wishes to support. For example, shared seating arrangements or open workspaces create an intuitive setting for collaborative work. With collaboration-style work, companies are seeing higher employee engagement, better teamwork and morale, all of which increase people’s happiness and help them perform their best. Explore the offices of Poul Schmith / Kammeradvokaten where they introduced a fresh and dynamic new office space for employees using curated design to encourage and facilitate collaboration.
Today’s workers want jobs that offer a sense of community and purpose, where they feel inspired and cared for. In response, companies are developing spaces for employees to engage, socialise and ultimately perform better. Building a sense of community starts with the right space that encourages interaction and creative thinking. The design thinking to succeed in creating such an environment should consider materials that impact the tone of a space, and the physical comfort needs of people using the space. Explore the case of Beringea, London, which redesigned its offices after the lockdowns to become a place where people want to spend time together. The new design imparts a sense of calm and belonging while encouraging conversation and collaboration.
In an era of hybrid-working, office environments act as connectors between those who are physically present and those operating remotely. Key to the success of these hybrid spaces is flexible design, smart layout and configuration where human interaction and work-life balance are prioritised to enable productivity and innovation.
No working environment is static: even within a day, it may need to shift to accommodate different scenarios, numbers of people and purposes. Using modular designs allows spaces and furniture to be reconfigured in multiple ways, adapting to the flexible nature of work today – from conferences to brainstorming sessions, from solo working to collaborating online. Explore Ørested’s multifunctional use of their canteen space and see how with curated design, they created an inviting, informal, relaxed and optimistic atmosphere for staff. Oersted FSC (fritzhansen.com)
Typically, employees require a quiet zone for focus work during the day. An ideal space will promote productivity by meeting the needs for concentration and comfort to optimise performance and task work. Giving people a sense of ownership over their surroundings can increase a sense of belongingness and ease. For example, useful and beautiful lamps, comfortable chairs and tables, and even small practical accessories that feel special can create a desirable space for individuals to perform at their best. For inspiration on ideal performance and task settings, see our professional catalogue here.