Better Than Normal

better than normal

Better Than Normal

the way we work Since the invention of the office, workplace designs have evolved continuously to reflect changing needs, changing tasks, and changing technologies. The dimly-lit double-loaded corridors of late nineteenth century buildings gave way to open floor plans by the middle of the twentieth century; the stereotypical office of the 1980s and 1990s was rife with cubicle farms; and by the early twenty-first century, emerging tech companies ushered in the era of the foosball table in the office.

The evolution of the office continues. In this era of rapid change, many companies are reevaluating the old models of doing business and pursuing a path towards better. “Better” may mean different things to different companies, but one thing is clear: “normal” is no longer enough. People want “extraordinary.”

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Better Than Normal

celebrating company culture Each company comes with its own vision and priorities, and a unique set of processes, tasks, and traditions. For many companies, the office is more than a place to do work; it is also a place to build and communicate a strong team culture. It’s a place for inspiration, collaboration, and togetherness, even if it’s not the only- or even the primary- place where work gets done.

What works for a tech startup will differ from what works for an attorney’s office; each company’s workplace needs to support its mission and help its employees to thrive.

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Better Than Normal

exploring the continuum What is the role of the office in this new era of work?

Each company will need to find the right balance for its employees, from fully remote work to hybrid operations to an office-based model. Many companies will fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, with employees spending part of their time in the office and part of their time working remotely. In any case, the office remains a key part of company culture – but must be reimagined to become a tool which drives collaboration and engagement.

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Better Than Normal

designing for better In implementing changes to workplaces or policies, however, it’s important to know why it’s time to design for better. Companies may be asking, “How will the next chapter be different from what we’ve done in the past?”

Simply put: the most successful work environments of the future will focus on human concerns as well as institutional concerns. To accommodate the full range of needs and functions, re-imagined office spaces, hybrid work environments, and greater flexibility will be increasingly important to supporting the future workforce.

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Better Than Normal

With so many options for workflows and locations available, how does the physical office space support a company in achieving its vision? The office needs to be a thriving place with an engaging atmosphere, where people come together and get re-energized, supported by unstructured collaboration.

Our offices should be redefined to support collaboration, creation, inspiration, and social interaction and should promote face time for authentic human connection. The workplace needs to be flexible and provide resources that facilitate intensive teamwork. “Heads-down” focus work might be completed in other locations, but our offices should inspire us to break out of our focus work, connect, collaborate, and create.

Better Than Normal

Recognizing that each workplace is unique, any design solution must be tailored to a company’s culture and values. Hybrid work environments might work for some organizations, or in some parts of an organization, or perhaps not at all. The ideal work location might vary by department or job function, with some teams functioning better remotely and others more productive working together at the office.

There are no absolutes. These cultural attributes may shift and overlap according to task, team, project, or evolving needs, and on any given day our needs may vary. Some work requires intense collaboration, while other roles require more individual creativity. Some teams must be co-located for the flow of ideas to be frictionless, and others need individual think time with “huddle rooms” for strategy.

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Better Than Normal

In mapping out adjustments to the work environment, it is important to consider the potential pros and cons of every policy and configuration. Companies who fail to provide flexibility may risk losing talented staff members. However, companies who implement hybrid work environments without anticipating and designing to overcome potential pitfalls may encounter obstacles as well.

Done poorly, a hybrid work environment can impede communication among team members, contribute to individual or team silos, reduce inclusion, use company resources inefficiently, or slow career development if leaders adopt an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude. Individual employees may struggle to define their roles, lose a sense of self-awareness, and lose the drive to innovate. These challenges, however, can all be addressed through practices and leadership approaches that adapt to hybrid models of working. A deeper understanding of human-centered design will empower leaders to respond with excellence.

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Better Than Normal

technology for a forwardthinking workplace Supporting employees, whether those in different parts of the building or those working in different cities, requires a new approach to connectedness made possible through continuous innovation in technology. The latest state-of-theart conferencing spaces acknowledge that some participants will be present in the office, and others will be joining from remote locations; a configuration enabling each participant to join the meeting with an individual camera helps level the playing field so that everyone can be seen and participate equally in the conversation. Many companies are integrating broadcast studios into their facilities, offering tools for digital presentations, podcast, or other modes of communication.

Better Than Normal

In a new take on providing continuous service instead of just hardware, tech companies are increasingly offering lease and service agreements to companies installing new systems.

Equipment is returned to the provider when it’s time for an upgrade, allowing companies to stay abreast of the latest technology without a huge investment in systems with a short lifespan.

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Better Than Normal

human-centered design In the office, at a home workstation, or somewhere in

these needs are as important in our professional lives

between, the workplace must support a company’s most

as in our personal lives: security, belonging, autonomy,

valuable asset: its people. The rise of remote work as

status, achievement, and purpose. Companies who are

created a large-scale societal shift; creating flexibility

attuned to these needs create an environment of trust,

for employees will be critical to recruiting and retaining

support, and balance; they also provide adequate support,

talented staff. Finding the right balance for each

advance processes, facilitate technology, and foster

company’s culture amidst this shift will require careful

interpersonal connection.

consideration; however, this inflection point presents a significant opportunity for companies to manage

Though the fundamental human needs are universal, any

change in a way that empowers employees, expands the

workplace design solution will be varied and nuanced.

talent pool, boosts productivity, and provides maximum

Organizational purpose, operational functions, culture, and

flexibility.

team dynamics all influence the planning, design, and organization of space and practices within the workplace.

What do employees really need to thrive, in any work

Each workplace requires a unique solution to meet its

environment? Maslow’s often-referenced “hierarchy of

unique needs.

needs” references six fundamental human needs, and

designing for safety Making sure that all employees feel safe and welcome in

Companies should carefully consider the density of

the workplace is a critical first step. Beyond the policies

work areas and adjust for safety and flexibility. Team-

and strategies that support physical safety, leaders can

based areas, project-based areas, gathering areas,

encourage an environment of emotional safety and

and individual workspaces should be evaluated for

inclusiveness by seeking diverse perspectives, fostering

appropriate and comfortable spacing. Both digital and

a personal growth mindset, creating a space for open

physical environments should support collaboration and

dialogue, prioritizing wellbeing, investing in relationships,

belonging. Finding inventive ways to combine physical

and welcoming curiosity. When individuals and teams

and virtual environments will encourage collaboration

have the space to explore and connect authentically,

and more satisfying interactions. Ergonomic tools will

companies reap the benefits of increased innovation,

promote employee health and wellness, both in the office

greater diversity and inclusion, healthy individuals and

and at remote workstations.

teams, and a cohesive organizational culture.

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designing for accomplishment People thrive when they feel that they are contributing

Successful workplaces will recognize that people work

meaningfully to an organization. Everyone wants to be

in different ways for different tasks, and will provide

good at what they do, and it is vital that companies set

a range of environments from energetic collaborative

their team members up for success by partnering on goal

areas to quiet zones for concentration. Gathering

setting, celebrating progress, providing opportunities for

spaces should facilitate everything from 1:1 coaching

course correction, and recognizing successes. Leaders

to impromptu social interactions. The total amount of

can create avenues for individuals and teams to share

space given to each of these functions will ultimately

their stories, and provide opportunities for professional

depend on organizational culture. Companies can

growth and training. Fostering connections between

implement systems to celebrate team members and their

co-workers, leaders, and the larger organization will

contributions, including digital or physical tools such as

generate more meaningful engagement and collaboration,

shout-out boards.

and increase motivation and creativity. Celebrating successes goes hand-in-hand with mining each process for lessons learned and processes that can be improved for continuous growth.

designing for connection A sense of genuine connection is required to keep

Designing workplaces for autonomy may require

people engaged. The workplace can help companies

opportunities for experimentation as employees figure

communicate a shared purpose, and physical office space

out “how work works best.” Technology to coordinate

can celebrate the brand and culture through messaging,

schedules or flexible solutions to enable team members

Experiential Graphic Design (EGD), and inventive

to shift easily from individual to group work will facilitate

storytelling.

this process. Employees may feel more connected and empowered when they are able to build stronger

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Authentic connections with clients and communities

connections across the organization, regardless of

are important in creating a clear sense of purpose. Our

location. Team members who know more people in the

workplaces should include well-designed spaces – digital

organization are empowered to expand their networks

and physical- to interface with those lives we impact each

and work autonomously, as they can easily access

day.

collective resources for knowledge and expertise.

Better Than Normal

a new way forward Successful workplaces support all of our fundamental

Making this new paradigm work for each client will

human needs, both in the design of the physical

require a carefully considered approach tailored to each

environment and through organizational policies

client’s vision, value, culture, and identity. Creating

and practices. The modern office has an important

flexible, engaging workspaces will require a fresh look at

role to play: even if many employees are remote or

space use and allocation; hybrid operations may require

hybrid, being at the office is an opportunity to engage

a reconfiguration of space, but not necessarily less space.

with collaborate with colleagues- not because we’re

Strategies that work for large corporate campuses may

required to, but because we want to. Providing greater

differ from those appropriate to smaller businesses;

flexibility and the tools to make a variety of workflows

however, most strategies can be scaled and adapted in a

successful may require trust and investment, but will

well-thought-out design.

ultimately yield huge dividends, including higher levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and empowerment.

These shifts are not new, but we now have an exciting opportunity to evolve rapidly and change for the better.

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Better Than Normal

LS3P is highly experienced at working with clients at all scales from small office teams to large corporations, and we are excited to collaborate with you in making this new paradigm of work successful for your organization. We offer architecture, interiors, and planning services to clients across the Southeast, and we are proud to be able to provide large-firm resources with small-firm client service. With an award-winning portfolio of office and workplace designs including over 42 million SF of office space, 300 office projects, and 200 corporate clients, we are on call to help our workplace clients plan for long-term vitality and growth as they re-imagine the office for a new era.

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