The iconic workplace culture of the early 2000s has crumbled in the face of a global pandemic, largely impacting the concept of the physical office space. The transformation from the traditional workplace to hybrid and remote working models is not just a fleeting trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how a new generation of employees perceive corporate values.
As the workforce isn’t swayed by organisational perks or a killer office view, it’s important to break the status quo of corporate spaces to incorporate workplace experience design as a tool to re-envision productivity and efficiency-driven office culture in the face of alternative working arrangements.
Breaking the corporate office status quo
The two-year-long global pandemic made one thing clear for businesses: corporate productivity doesn’t necessarily decline when working outside of the office, and employers are capable of leading remote teams effectively while inculcating culture. This sudden shift in workplace organisation gave rise to remote and hybrid roles, with more governments and businesses exploring alternative working arrangements such as four-day workweeks to permanent hybrid roles.
Unispace Global Workplace Insights 2023 reveals that 51% of employees are unenthusiastic about permanently working from the office, and would prefer remote or hybrid options to better focus on individual tasks. Despite this growing trend, there is an acknowledgement of the need for physical offices for brainstorming sessions and face time with managers.
Intentional workplace design speaks volumes about a company’s ethos and can influence behaviours and attitudes that define corporate culture. While the aesthetics of a workspace are subjective to the needs of each organisation, well-intended designs backed by employee
perspective can solidify a company’s commitment to its values through office spaces, physical or virtual, impacting employee engagement and satisfaction.
Driven by its ethos of “Just Do It”, Nike’s corporate office was a far cry from the image that is well-loved by its consumers. Through data gathered from its employees, the brand worked on recreating the same experience through workplace design, balancing between tackling the pain points of its teams while inculcating an environment to create a deeper connection between its corporate offices and its distinctive image – echoing the same message outside of its stores.
This shift is pushing for companies to rethink and maximise their workspaces to allow the needs of their employees and businesses to be met seamlessly while instilling a company culture that retains and attracts the right talent.
Looking beyond conventional technology integration
The recent integration of various tech tools within workplaces has left employees divided. As employers began being called out for the usage of surveillance solutions within virtual office setups to adopt organisational tools that have ramped up productivity levels, there is a need to take a step back from being caught up by the prevalence of innovative products for employee welfare.
Despite tech advancements, the same report revealed that at least 39% of employees rate a good tech setup and strong internet access as a key office feature, and 21% had to work around unreliable Wi-Fi connection in spite of these concerns being made known to their employers.
Adopting and adapting to the latest tech tools should be considered from the perspective of employee productivity. As the office space is being reinvented for a generation that is highly adept with technology, companies should focus on solving basic pain points that hinder productivity and collaboration rather than incorporating pedantic mechanisms that may lead to organisational problems in the long run.
It’s not merely about adopting innovative design trends; it’s about systematically understanding and implementing changes that can drive both employee satisfaction and company success. A balanced approach between modern working practices and being equipped to meet the needs of a diverse workforce should be at the crux of any design implementation for a greater workplace environment.
Maximising workplace setting for collaboration and wellness
Even with employees being hesitant to permanently return to physical office spaces, there is a growing demand for workspaces to enhance wellbeing. Aside from the concept of a four-day business week, more companies are looking into investing in their employees’ mental and
physical health through designated wellness spaces.
Although it may be ideal for some staff if their offices use ergonomic setups or offer lunchtime fitness classes, such wellness needs can easily be met through intentional spatial designs. Crafting out spaces for collaborations, quiet zones for focused work and even social interactions are beginning to be viewed as key amenities that amplify synergy between departments and employees.
Such well-defined spaces can promote a positive work culture where employee productivity and efficiency are targeted beyond incorporating organisational tools.
Embracing alternative workplace experience design for dynamic environments
The workplace environment has come far in the last decade, and with the entrance of a younger workforce, one which prioritises mental and physical wellbeing over the rigamarole of corporate hustle, companies should channel their focus on creating a more holistic workplace culture. A culture that is defined by the amalgamation of the company’s ethos and its employees' needs, simultaneously tackling challenges around productivity and efficiency in this new age of alternative workplaces.
With physical offices losing their charm, importance should be placed on evolving the understanding of what the right workplace looks like, taking into consideration the inclusion of remote and hybrid settings.
Cultivating a workplace culture that prioritises collaboration, engagement and productivity is possible through adaptable spaces that move away from rigid, cubicle-bound work paradigms. Integration of technological tools within a dynamic corporate environment, coupled with the right workplace design, can create an experience that prioritises a company’s trajectory and the
holistic needs of its diverse workforce.
Such evolutions aren’t simply strategic for a business but rather imperative, enabling the adaption of a new workplace model for greater productivity that isn’t at the expense of employees.
About the author
Tim Larson
Based in the company’s Singapore studio, Tim Larson is the Chief Creative Officer and Managing Director of Unispace, Asia. He has been a leading innovator in the field of designing emerging experiences, and interaction in architectural environments for more than 25 years. Previously, he was Design Principal for Unispace’s experience design agency Downstream, growing that business through pioneering new approaches in corporate interiors, retail stores, sports and entertainment venues, among other space types.
