Workspaces are being reimagined, refurbished and rediscovered to improve the overall employee experience and help boost cooperation, collaboration and efficiency.  Tom Blakeman, engineering director at Winthill Engineering, explains how bespoke furniture and fittings can banish mundanity and create a positive work culture.

Employee experience is fundamental to retaining and attracting talent.  Central to this is the office design.  Done well, this space can improve employee wellbeing, productivity and creativity. 

A good office redesign must capture why people want to come into the space and what they want to get out of it.  This is typically achieved by updating the layout, lighting, technology and furniture.  Ergonomics, colour and biophilic design are important too as employers strive to improve workplace culture and wellbeing. 

Flexible, collaborative spaces

Furniture and good planning can make a huge difference to the work environment, particularly the provision of tables and seating at different heights which can affect posture, comfort and productivity.  

Designers must consider how the spaces will be used and the user experience.  The normalisation of hybrid working has created a need for ‘video meeting’ rooms, for example.  Smaller than standard meeting rooms, these spaces invite collaboration between team members working remotely and those who are working in the office.  Here, bespoke, well-proportioned furniture can create a positive and productive space.

Meanwhile, high level tables and stools are perfect for short breaks and dynamic meetings.  More relaxed seating arranged around a low level coffee table works well in a reception and can be crucial to the company’s culture, providing an informal space for daily huddles, informal meetings, or one-to-ones.

The workplace has evolved from cellular offices through large, functional open-plan spaces and now, collaboration hubs.  These hubs are often formed by a neighbourhood of desks – a group of desks arranged together for employees with similar tasks or roles, which offer flexible configuration.  They are also an effective solution for hot-desking and co-working.

Architecture has long been used to shape behaviour, but for a more flexible approach to space delineation and flow, interior designers and fit-out company’s use movable upright partitions.  These allow a space to be divided and reconfigured, quickly and easily.  If solid, the screen can be used for concealment or privacy and offer protection from draughts, heat or light.  

Biophilic design in the modern office

There is now greater emphasis on biophilic design in the creation and refurbishment of workplaces.  Companies are having to consider how the working environment impacts employee physical and mental health.  Awareness of air quality, artificial and natural light, and acoustics are all critical and must be factored in at design stage.  

As more companies embrace nature in the remodelling of workspaces, this influences product specification, especially the use of environmentally-friendly materials.  For example, sustainable timber is a good fit for biophilic design because it is renewable, energy-efficient and has a low carbon footprint, while reclaimed timber supports sustainable design principles.  People respond to timber’s warmth and texture and the innate connection with nature, making it ideal for desks and table tops.  

Using a blonde wood such as birch, designers can also enhance the light and fluidity of a space, especially when finished with a Danish oil.  Using a limited number of materials and finishes is also highly impactful.  A simple palette allows the space to function and flow, and creates a welcoming, work environment for focus, wellbeing and productivity.