Reimagining the Workplace:

Creating an Office Employees Actually Want to Return To

In the post-pandemic world, the challenge isn't just getting employees back to the office—it's creating an environment they're excited to be part of. This article explores innovative ways to transform your office into a dynamic, collaborative space that offers experiences and benefits beyond what working from home can provide.

1. Prioritize Flexibility and Choice

The key to a successful return-to-office strategy is understanding that one size doesn't fit all. Offer a variety of workspaces to suit different tasks and preferences:

Quiet zones for focused work
Collaborative areas for team projects
Comfortable lounges for informal meetings or relaxation
Outdoor spaces for fresh air and a change of scenery

Empower employees to choose where and how they work throughout the day, mimicking the flexibility they've enjoyed at home.

2. Foster Meaningful Collaboration

While video calls serve a purpose, nothing beats in-person collaboration for creativity and team building. Design your office to facilitate these interactions:

Create open, adaptable spaces that can be reconfigured for different team sizes and projects
Invest in high-quality technology for seamless hybrid meetings
Designate areas for brainstorming with writable walls and interactive displays
Organize regular team-building activities and workshops to leverage the in-person advantage

3. Blend Home Comforts with Professional Amenities

Make the office feel like a second home, but with perks employees can't get in their living room:

Design cozy, living room-style areas with comfortable seating and warm lighting
Provide a well-equipped kitchen with free healthy snacks and quality coffee
Offer wellness rooms for meditation, yoga, or power naps
Install showers and changing rooms for employees who bike to work or exercise during lunch

4. Prioritize Health and Wellbeing

Show employees you care about their holistic health:

Ensure excellent air quality with advanced filtration systems
Incorporate biophilic design elements like indoor plants and natural materials
Provide adjustable standing desks and ergonomic chairs
Offer on-site fitness classes or gym memberships

5. Create Unique Experiences

Give employees reasons to look forward to coming to the office:

Host regular learning events, guest speakers, or skill-sharing sessions
Set up a game room or recreational area for breaks
Organize pop-up experiences like art installations or food tastings
Establish quiet reading nooks or a small library

6. Embrace Technology for Seamless Work

Ensure that the office technology enhances, rather than hinders, productivity:

Implement a user-friendly hot-desking system
Provide noise-cancelling headphones for open areas
Use smart building technology to optimize lighting and temperature
Offer VR setups for immersive presentations or virtual team-building

7. Support Work-Life Integration

Acknowledge that employees have lives outside of work:

Provide on-site childcare or parent-child workspaces
Offer concierge services for dry cleaning, grocery delivery, etc.
Create a pet-friendly policy with designated areas for furry friends
Allow flexible hours to accommodate personal commitments

8. Foster a Sense of Community and Purpose

Help employees feel connected to something larger:

Design spaces that reflect your company's values and mission through the architecture and interiors
Create opportunities for cross-department networking
Support employee-led interest groups and clubs
Engage in community service projects as a team

Conclusion

The future of work isn't about returning to the old normal—it's about creating a new, improved workplace that combines the best of both worlds. By reimagining the office as a dynamic, flexible environment that prioritizes employee wellbeing, fosters collaboration, and offers unique experiences, companies can create a space that employees genuinely want to be part of. The goal isn't just to bring people back to the office; it's to create a thriving, innovative community that drives both personal and professional growth.

Need a design team that can help you create a space your employees will want to return to?

Book an consultation with us or reach out!

All images are original work by Matter Studio.

Los Angeles, California

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Reimagining the Workplace: Creating an Office Employees Actually Want to Return To