How can the office claim victory over the home?
The Answer? Create a great (cool) workplace with choice at its centre.
But what does this look like in practice? How have organisations created a great working culture that emphasises choice and empowers people to work in the best way possible? Here are two case studies that empower employee choice through design.
Case Study: IRI, Bracknell
Pictured above: IRI Kitchen Area
To stimulate the creativity of employees, the new HQ for forward-thinking market research and data company IRI is an agile workplace that inspires collaboration by offering multiple ways of working that are not ordinarily possible at home. The huddle room is designed to act as an adaptive informal meeting space complete with carefully chosen objects to create a homely yet functional feel. Elsewhere, open plan collaboration areas feature high tables and chairs conducive to team-based assignments while other areas of the floorplan are designed for more formal work, featuring fixed desks and greater privacy.
The variety of spaces facilitates both planned and unplanned interaction. Not only are there spaces to support concentration and in-person collaboration, but the IRI brand is felt throughout the space, with lighting angles and ceiling details which mimic its logo, as well as wall-covering designs and wayfinding features that borrow from visual cues in the branding. This helps create a sense of identity and belonging, bringing people together in pursuit of a shared purpose.
Case Study: Three UK
The design and fit out for Three UK’s new 117,000 sq ft HQ in Reading also offers the ‘home from home’ feel. A ‘barrier free’ layout with a wide spectrum of areas to satisfy staff needs includes a living quarter, a play quarter and a social quarter. The living quarter has been designed to aid personal wellbeing and features a sanctuary, chill room, yoga studio and gender-neutral shower facilities. The play quarter, a high-energy zone with neon lighting, is laden with games. There is also a library, phone pods and booths for quieter work and meeting rooms to suit every occasion. The social quarter encourages personal connection, collaboration and ad-hoc encounters over food and drink.
Inclusivity is key when striving for a connected experience. Meeting rooms feature Braille panels and zip tags for booking. All ten tea points are DDA compliant and incorporate 3D icons to help abled and partially-sighted individuals identify amenity locations. Custom lighting controls and gender-neutral toilets and showers, alongside audio-visual systems which consider neuro-diverse needs have also been included.
It doesn’t end there. The building, holding BREEAM Excellent, WELL Platinum and an ‘A’ EPC rating, has been designed with environmental and human health in mind and offers an abundance of natural light and fresh air. The thinking behind the design proves Three UK cares about the health, wellbeing and experience of its people and visitors.
In summary
The design principles behind these projects shine a light on how the office can claim victory over the home. The level of variety on offer, coupled with a working culture that grants people the freedom to choose while driving a culture that everyone feels part of, tops anything the office’s biggest competitor could hope to offer.
