To make your workplace a hit, master the art of rethinking space

Reconfigure or start with a fresh concept ready to adapt with the times

Navigating in an era full of unknowns and uncertainty is tough. You feel a need for space that’s equally dynamic, with elements that can be increased, decreased, and reassessed to match the unique tone and atmosphere you want to create during a moment in time – and then another.

The good news? Your workplace can be mastered and remixed repeatedly for a fresh new sound – to meet different goals, deliver fresh outcomes, and create a future-forward atmosphere. It’s all in how you move the sliders.

So, does your workplace need a remix or totally new locale, and if it does, what sound fits this moment right here right now?

Let’s explore.

First, know your purpose: the why for coming together

Connection is the hook that keeps your audience coming back to the office. What do employees have to connect to that makes them feel a part of something bigger than themselves?

The place that becomes a second home, with features and amenities that feel custom, cohesive and a celebration of shared values.

Ask yourself: What is the message of this space? What should you turn up? Your marketing strategy, brand campaigns, your product, and even your ideal customer profile are likely to change multiple times during your lease, so it’s extra important to be smart about the brand messaging elements communicated through your space and your ability to leverage a space to make changes as needed, on-going.

Keep it flexible, interchangeable, and adaptable for the next version of the logo, colour scheme, company mantra, and brand images as well as changes to the types of spaces and dynamics that drive certain aspects of culture forward – all while also ensuring that, through it all, your values are always crystal clear.

Next, find your critical inputs of your space strategy.

Gather possible inputs to enhance your space to match its ideal message through a bit of strategic listening.

Be your employee’s best listener and biggest fan. It’s crucial to use your team’s knowledge to determine the purpose of your space – what brings people in, what makes them want to stay, and what is just necessary for business today. The answer will never be one size fits all but, instead, a culmination of various elements of the workplace that are up-levered or down-levered based on your current needs, like on a soundboard.

Possible workplace inputs to move up or down, depending on your needs:

Then, determine how it should feel: the goal(s) the space needs to achieve.

Inputs are just that – pieces and parts – until they are aligned together in a way that makes you stand out. So, with that in mind, what do you want the style of your space to be? What would its musical persona be?

Is it like a rock concert? A space built to help teams celebrate loudly and build excitement.
Does it remind you of a jazz club: Anchored around places to relax, be thoughtful, and improvise about the next big thing.
Could it be a dance party? With a focus on social connection and moving to the same beat.
What about a music festival? Shaped to encourage cross-team collaboration and shared passion around ideas.
Some other genre – or the invention of a new one – to be determined based on your needs.

And how does it all come together: create a dynamic design that resonates

Workspaces that celebrate your ‘why’ with dynamic designs built around aligned goals have a different level of vibrancy you can’t see but feel from the moment you enter the lobby. It’s space that just feels like your brand.

Let’s consider the musical vibes from above again and what they could look like as a space design:

Track 1
Rock concert: plenty of social, inspirational and team bonding space.

Turn up: Social space, inspirational, team bonding, flexible layouts
Turn down: Private space, functional

LEVELS

FLOORPLAN

Track 2
Jazz club: full of relaxation and individual focus areas.

Turn up: Private and focus space, inspirational, bespoke design
Turn down: Social spaces, client facing

LEVELS

FLOORPLAN

Track 3
Dance party: collaborative and team bonding centers at the core.

Turn up: Collaborative tasks, analog tools, team bonding
Turn down: Private space, focused tasks, client facing

LEVELS

FLOORPLAN

Track 4
Music festival: collaboration, digital-forward and flexibility are center stage.

Turn up: Flexible layouts, collaborative tasks, functional, digital tools
Turn down: Bespoke design, focused tasks, private space

LEVELS

FLOORPLAN

Keep the beat: gather “listener” feedback regularly and know when it’s time to make a change

It’s important to gauge employee feedback and consider your needs over and over, and as they shape and evolve so you know when it’s time to remix or make a move. You can determine what needs to change on your own, or consider a partner whose fresh perspective on what your space might be just what you need to win big with your team and clients.