For office designers creating spaces that foster rich, interpersonal connections between colleagues both in-person and remote is essential. Design with Impact is a philosophy that can help workplaces prepare to host these meaningful interactions, cultivating a shared sense of purpose among employees. There are many ways that people connect with spaces and within spaces. Physical connection is the most fundamental, and perhaps most obvious type of workplace connection. In-person interaction allows for immediate communication, the ability to read body language, and some would argue, a more meaningful connection than any relationship that can be built over video call.
Then we of course have virtual connections that have become increasingly important to facilitate distributed teams. This type of connection requires high-quality tech tools and spaces designed for people to naturally interact with remote and in-room participants. And lastly, we should consider how spaces can improve people’s connection to their employer, fostering a shared sense of purpose in the workplace. A common goal and commitment to a mission can tie employees.
Why is it important?
In a world where people can work from almost anywhere, research indicates that connection is the driving force encouraging people to use offices. In a research study conducted by Workplace Unlimited, Audiem, and MillerKnoll in 2023, workers listed “teamwork”, “socialising”, and “managing/mentoring” as the top three activities that most attracted them to working from the office. In a separate 2023 study conducted by Slack, Boston Consulting Group, MLT, and MilllerKnoll, 85% of 10,000 respondents cited connecting with others – collaborating, building comradarie, spending time with managers, and having meetings – as their primary motivations for going into the office. If organisations seek to improve the use of their offices, then those offices need to help people to connect.
Inclusive design
Inclusive design helps remove barriers that might prevent those with disabilities, different cultural backgrounds, or varied personal circumstances from fully participating in the workplace. The primary way to design inclusive places of work is to involve a diverse group of users in the design process, switching from a hierarchical approach to design to a more participatory one. Understanding the needs of underrepresented groups can inform the choice of architectural elements and furnishings to better accommodate more people. This might include the use of different colors and patterns on fabrics and architectural finishes to support the experiences of neurodivergent employees, or the use of furnishings to accommodate a broader range of body types and physical abilities. For instance, the Aeron chair, designed to accommodate the 99th percentile, demonstrates how thoughtful design can cater to a wide range of body types and needs. Likewise, the Flo monitor arm can be easily adjusted to allow persons with differing physical and sensory needs to adjust the height, depth, and orientation of the content they’re seeing to their needs.
Spontaneity and immersion
As much as workplaces are spaces to traditional work activities, offices can also cater to shorter, less formal, and unstructured interactions. Likewise, they can offer spaces for teams to immerse themselves into workshops, strategic planning sessions, and other types of longer-duration, immersive work not easily had on video. These types of spaces can strengthen what sociologists call “weak ties”, which are the relationships that exist between different teams and departments that are critical for cross-functional collaboration. By factoring in informal socialisation spaces, internal events spaces, project rooms, communal kitchens, or even outdoor spaces, businesses can help to break down usual barriers and encourage workplace bonds and creativity.
Equality for in-person and remote workers
Today’s workplace looks different to a decade ago with many organisations supporting location flexibility through hybrid work policies. Ensuring that both in-person and remote workers feel equally connected is something employers have struggled with in recent years. Design strategies must focus on creating parity in the work experience. As an example, laying out a meeting space to provide natural sightlines for both in-room and remote participants overcomes the “movie theatre” effect of video spaces that either orient in-room participants looking only at each other or the screen.
As organisations continue to evolve, the role of office designers will remain crucial in shaping environments that not only meet functional needs but also foster meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging among employees. MillerKnoll helps workplaces to design with impact by making inclusive design choices that consider the importance of informal collaboration and the comfort of a diverse workforce. Office designers have an exciting opportunity to help build stronger, more cohesive workplace communities that drive productivity and retain talent. MillerKnoll’s guidance in “Space Planning for the Workplace” is a great first step to aid designers in exploring the impactful design steps that could work for their clients or business.
Mark Catchlove is Director of the Global Insight Group at MillerKnoll
July 18, 2024
Connection through design: The role of office designers in fostering workplace ties
by Mark Catchlove • Comment, Workplace design
Then we of course have virtual connections that have become increasingly important to facilitate distributed teams. This type of connection requires high-quality tech tools and spaces designed for people to naturally interact with remote and in-room participants. And lastly, we should consider how spaces can improve people’s connection to their employer, fostering a shared sense of purpose in the workplace. A common goal and commitment to a mission can tie employees.
Why is it important?
In a world where people can work from almost anywhere, research indicates that connection is the driving force encouraging people to use offices. In a research study conducted by Workplace Unlimited, Audiem, and MillerKnoll in 2023, workers listed “teamwork”, “socialising”, and “managing/mentoring” as the top three activities that most attracted them to working from the office. In a separate 2023 study conducted by Slack, Boston Consulting Group, MLT, and MilllerKnoll, 85% of 10,000 respondents cited connecting with others – collaborating, building comradarie, spending time with managers, and having meetings – as their primary motivations for going into the office. If organisations seek to improve the use of their offices, then those offices need to help people to connect.
Inclusive design
Inclusive design helps remove barriers that might prevent those with disabilities, different cultural backgrounds, or varied personal circumstances from fully participating in the workplace. The primary way to design inclusive places of work is to involve a diverse group of users in the design process, switching from a hierarchical approach to design to a more participatory one. Understanding the needs of underrepresented groups can inform the choice of architectural elements and furnishings to better accommodate more people. This might include the use of different colors and patterns on fabrics and architectural finishes to support the experiences of neurodivergent employees, or the use of furnishings to accommodate a broader range of body types and physical abilities. For instance, the Aeron chair, designed to accommodate the 99th percentile, demonstrates how thoughtful design can cater to a wide range of body types and needs. Likewise, the Flo monitor arm can be easily adjusted to allow persons with differing physical and sensory needs to adjust the height, depth, and orientation of the content they’re seeing to their needs.
Spontaneity and immersion
As much as workplaces are spaces to traditional work activities, offices can also cater to shorter, less formal, and unstructured interactions. Likewise, they can offer spaces for teams to immerse themselves into workshops, strategic planning sessions, and other types of longer-duration, immersive work not easily had on video. These types of spaces can strengthen what sociologists call “weak ties”, which are the relationships that exist between different teams and departments that are critical for cross-functional collaboration. By factoring in informal socialisation spaces, internal events spaces, project rooms, communal kitchens, or even outdoor spaces, businesses can help to break down usual barriers and encourage workplace bonds and creativity.
Equality for in-person and remote workers
Today’s workplace looks different to a decade ago with many organisations supporting location flexibility through hybrid work policies. Ensuring that both in-person and remote workers feel equally connected is something employers have struggled with in recent years. Design strategies must focus on creating parity in the work experience. As an example, laying out a meeting space to provide natural sightlines for both in-room and remote participants overcomes the “movie theatre” effect of video spaces that either orient in-room participants looking only at each other or the screen.
As organisations continue to evolve, the role of office designers will remain crucial in shaping environments that not only meet functional needs but also foster meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging among employees. MillerKnoll helps workplaces to design with impact by making inclusive design choices that consider the importance of informal collaboration and the comfort of a diverse workforce. Office designers have an exciting opportunity to help build stronger, more cohesive workplace communities that drive productivity and retain talent. MillerKnoll’s guidance in “Space Planning for the Workplace” is a great first step to aid designers in exploring the impactful design steps that could work for their clients or business.
Mark Catchlove is Director of the Global Insight Group at MillerKnoll