Designing Workplaces to Strengthen Connection and Combat Loneliness
Thoughtful workplace design goes beyond aesthetics.
As designers, it's crucial to meet the varied needs of employees and prioritize their wellbeing to enhance their overall workplace experience, which directly impacts engagement and productivity.
Gensler's 2024 Workplace Survey emphasizes the significance of providing a variety of spaces in the office to support different work styles—whether it's in-person or virtual collaboration, learning, socializing, or working independently. Giving employees the freedom to choose how and where they work fosters creativity and connection. Designing an enjoyable work environment is multifaceted, involving not only physical space but also company policies. While perks like pizza parties and kombucha bars are fun, true workplace joy stems from a seamless, intuitive experience that minimizes friction. What is friction? It's the small annoyances that disrupt daily work, like malfunctioning technology during hybrid meetings or having to trek up two flights of stairs just to find a restroom.
Gensler’s San Francisco office is a model of how to reduce these disruptions. Each of the 12 seating areas—from the work café to the collaboration corridor and the quiet, conversation-free “Vault”—is equipped with outlets and tech access, allowing employees to easily move through the space without worrying about setup or access to resources. This design promotes autonomy and flexibility, enabling employees to focus on their work with fewer distractions. The ultimate goal of workplace design is to create environments and cultures where employees can connect with others and themselves. Supporting these needs ensures employees feel valued and comfortable, which is especially critical for neurodivergent individuals who may be sensitive to stimuli like lighting and sound.
A well-designed workplace offers more than just a place for productivity—it can foster wellbeing. By offering employees the choice of where to work and providing spaces for focused work and relaxation, companies can create healthier, more fulfilling environments.