In 2024, companies are increasingly embedding purpose and experience into their workplaces. With the shift to hybrid working, expansive diversity and inclusion policies, and ESG strategies becoming the norm in large organisations, good designers are creating spaces that integrate corporate strategy and culture seamlessly with day-to-day operations and the physical environment.

Developing solutions for current and future workplace challenges – regardless of scale or impact – requires a flexible and innovative mindset. As part of an industry historically contributing to waste problems, we must incorporate a more responsible, resilient, and carbon-efficient approach.

From workplace to dynamic living space

Companies often invest significant time and resources, not to mention embedded carbon, into a cycle of workplace upgrades every five years. But what if office interiors were not finite and fixed – what if we could create an endless suite of opportunities?

These built environments are reconfigurable modular blocks of space, with models put through rigorous testing with stakeholders to identify the minimum viable configurations. This defines the ‘fixed zone’ – a specific location on each floor where essential elements are set. Each modular block can be tailored to various settings based on user needs, ensuring seamless support across multiple floors.

The rest of each floor becomes a ‘flex zone’, adaptable to any work style required by different groups. This ‘fixed and flex’ model ensures workspaces can evolve with changing demands, offering the flexibility to assemble and reassemble spaces as needed. This approach provides a robust foundation for dynamic work environments, reduces waste and costs, and supports the creation of versatile spaces using sustainable materials.

Re-thinking space partitioning

Frameworks harness the beauty and sustainability of timber over traditional aluminium partitioning. CLT and GLT surpass conventional materials like aluminium due to their lower embodied energy and carbon sequestration capabilities, contributing positively to environmental goals. Timber creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, enhancing employee well-being and fostering a connection to nature that aluminium simply cannot replicate.

The personalised workspace

Recognising the shift towards a worker-centric workforce, the transformational planning of our Workplace team eliminates the “sea of desks” and embraces well-being, neuro-inclusivity, and personalisation. This approach allows teams to take ownership of their spaces, providing control and consistency while catering to individual and group needs.

Our Frameworks approach has the potential to transform workplaces into “living rooms,” focusing on creating team-oriented, versatile, and welcoming spaces. Using a post-and-beam system, we provide a framework that acts as a blank canvas for customisation, accommodating the dynamic nature of work and the changing needs of individuals and teams.

The future of workplace design hinges on adaptability and sustainability. In designing adaptable environments, we also consider neurodiversity and the importance of creating multisensory spaces. By addressing personalized needs, we can create spaces that support a variety of sensory preferences and cognitive styles, promoting well-being and inclusivity.

Integrating biophilic elements such as timber into the design not only improves air quality and reduces stress but also enhances creativity and cognitive function, making the workplace more productive and importantly, more enjoyable.

The future of workplace design hinges on adaptability and sustainability. In designing adaptable environments, we also consider neurodiversity and the importance of creating multisensory spaces. By addressing personalized needs, we can create spaces that support a variety of sensory preferences and cognitive styles, promoting well-being and inclusivity.

Integrating biophilic elements such as timber into the design not only improves air quality and reduces stress but also enhances creativity and cognitive function, making the workplace more productive and importantly, more enjoyable.