It’s tempting to reduce the workplace to its cost per square foot, thinking about this space as a fixed overhead cost with limited return. When we shift to thinking about the workplace as a tool for driving business performance, we can unlock its true potential. Here’s where to start.
- Layout flexibility matters more than cost per square foot.
No two spaces with the same square footage are equal. The floor plate is the key differentiating factor that dictates workplace layout and design options. The more flexible a floor plate is, then the easier it is to customize a workspace that’s conducive to employee success. - Solving employee engagement challenges starts with natural light.
Companies often jump straight to amenities and forget about this fundamental: How much natural light enters a workplace during the day can profoundly impact employee engagement and well-being. Architectural features like light shelves bring daylight into the core. Since brighter, lighter workspaces feel less physically confining, daylighting can also soften the psychological impact of today’s smaller workspaces on employees. - Outdoor workspace is more than a nice “bonus”– it’s an innovation driver.
Outdoor workspace provides opportunities for the serendipitous encounters that spark the next “big idea.” Help teams make the most of outdoor space: Utilize shaded workstations, power outlets and presentation-ready outdoor screens. - Don’t underestimate the productivity boost of on-site conveniences.
As demands on executive mindshare grow, the opportunity to resolve small errands without leaving the office is an important productivity booster. Auto detailing, mobile gas refueling, EV charging stations, dry cleaning and shoe shining are simple conveniences that streamline the workday, freeing up employee time for big-picture thinking. - Smart design can enhance employee health.
You don’t need an expensive corporate wellness program to positively impact employee well-being. Choosing a workplace that’s intentionally designed for wellness–natural light, flexible workspaces, outdoor access–delivers passive benefits that help to reduce employee stress, elevate mood and improve engagement.
