- Nasim Köerting, Head of Design at The Office Group in London, explored what both businesses and employees need from modern workplace design.
- Köerting says the lack of worry about a space’s amenities is the first step in ensuring that members’ work days remain stress-free.
- Creating an atmosphere that anyone can come into and feel at peace will set companies apart from the competition and nurture how well professionals perform in their daily tasks.
Trends in office design have ebbed and flowed for hundreds of years, as have their purpose. How designers and companies approach their workspace is a reflection of the times and often reveals a deeper insight into where society is at a particular moment.
For instance, just a few years ago, open plan concepts were all the rage. In defiance of the traditional, cubicle-laden offices that had become synonymous with dull corporate work, businesses began packing workers into large spaces with little to no boundaries.
That all changed in the blink of an eye as the pandemic uprooted society’s view of what an office should, and shouldn’t, look like.
On Allwork.Space’s most recent episode of the Future of Work podcast, Nasim Köerting, Head of Design at The Office Group in London, explored what both businesses and employees need from modern workplace design.
Finding The Perfect Spot
The Office Group services a range of small businesses and corporates, meaning there is no one-size-fits-all approach to how it designs office space.
“[We} sort of tackle that challenge by just providing a variety of spaces, a variety of amenities, making sure that everyone has a particular place to work and they’re able to work according to how they want to,” said Köerting. “So if they need focus, work, quiet space. They’re able to do that. If they want to be in the buzz, they’re able to do that also.”
According to Köerting, providing limitless possibilities is key here.
The Office Group starts by studying locations, particularly those in close proximity to popular travel destinations with plenty of transport links.
From there, the company looks for buildings with “an abundance of natural light because that’s definitely a core value that we hold,” said Köerting. She added that buildings with quality, solid architecture and a touch of history are a plus.
Then, The Office Group seeks out designers to collaborate alongside with. While sometimes this may mean working with local designers, the firm really seeks out someone that has the right eye to fulfill the space’s vision.
“[It] often refers to the context that we look at the history of the building, the context of the area, because designing a building in East London is not the same as West London. They’re very different demographics,” said Köerting.
Finding The Best Amenities
As far as her favorite building goes, Köerting says that Douglas House in London holds a special place in her heart.
Working with Stockholm-based Note Design Studio, this dedicated workspace features a gym, rooftop terrace, a cafe, a nursing room for mothers, and most uniquely, an oxygen room that incorporates greenery and with natural light to provide a place for workers to recharge.
Identifying the best amenities for a building is a little trickier. What works for one flexible office in Berlin may not be applicable in Leeds.
That’s why The Office Group conducted a survey to have a deeper understanding of what users want from their workspace.
“Do they actually use meditation spaces? Do they use prayer rooms?” said Köerting.
The results showed that the most popular amenity was cafes, with gyms coming in second.
However, the company studies the local area of a new space before implementing specific amenities, but there are still “must-haves” that can be applied across the board.
While Köerting says The Office Group does not have prayer rooms or parents’ rooms just yet, she notes more people want space that allows them to “reflect, pray, [and] meditate.”
Wellness Is Critical To Office Design
The company’s approach to design emphasizes just how essential supporting workers’ wellbeing in the office is to the future of work.
In fact, the group’s own survey “The Importance of Wellbeing in the Workplace” revealed that 91% of UK workers have experienced work-related stress.
As a result, the survey states that employers are recognizing their role in helping nurture their workers’ physical and mental health.
But this means more than just offering meditation sessions and access to fitness facilities.
Köerting says the lack of worry about a space’s amenities is the first step in ensuring that members’ work days remain stress-free.
“I think wellness is like a seamless journey in the building,” said Köerting. “It’s when you don’t need to think and your Wi-Fi is connected, you don’t need to think and you’ve got a well-ventilated room. The lighting is…at the right levels. It’s just all these underlying things that we don’t necessarily we’re not as conscious of, but they’re there and they make your day so much better.”
Classic Design Can Boost Sustainability
One of the biggest necessary trends of those working within the real estate industry today is the need for sustainable features.
While including components like natural lighting and smart devices can absolutely help with this, Köerting says that one of the easiest ways to create a sustainable workspace is by taking a classic approach to design.
In fact, Köerting said that incorporating trendy design leads to wasting more materials, as those trends may not have a long lifespan.
“The more classic your design is, the more it’s going to last forever,” said Köerting. “It’s not going to be torn out.”
For her role in particular, Köerting focuses on including pieces that she knows will have a long life and won’t be outdated within six months time.
The company also focuses on using sustainable materials, refurbishing old buildings rather than constructing brand new spaces, and including vintage furniture pieces or those that are designed in the UK to cut down on transportation.
Office Design For The Future
The future of office design is less about color palettes and more about what employees need from their work environment on a deeper level.
While all aspects of design can make a significant difference in how a worker perceives their workspace, Köerting says the future of work will need to focus on two key aspects: inclusivity and diversity.
Creating an atmosphere that anyone can come into and feel at peace will set companies apart from the competition and nurture how well professionals perform in their daily tasks.
But it’s not just up to business leaders to determine what a workspace should look like.
Employees have a bigger say in their environment than ever before, and because of this, designers and business leaders have a responsibility to receive their feedback and apply it in a meaningful way.
“Looking forward is making sure that our spaces are completely inclusive and of a diversity of people,” said Köerting.
“You know, women, people of color, younger people, different demographics. [We] just want to make sure that…our spaces can cater for everyone to feel comfortable, to feel that sense of belonging and also just be able to get their best work done, really, you know?”
