Think about some of the world’s greatest cities. New York, San Francisco, Chicago, London, Paris, Rome. All offer different vibes and personalities, but share a distinct infrastructure of diverse neighborhoods, parks, town centers, shops and cafes, museums, and universities. But more than anything, a lively sense of community, pride, identity and belonging for those who live and work there.
Urban activists of the twentieth century have long advocated for a community-based approach for city development and the importance of intentionally “building in” a feeling of community. In fact, it has been suggested that organizations would be smart to model workplaces after vibrant cities.
What does the concept of urban planning have to do with work, workers and the workplace?
Answer: More than you might think.
Why should workplace environments be a priority right now?
Because in the last 5 years work has changed more dramatically than it has in generations. Workers are coping with the aftershocks of the pandemic, the whiplash of emerging technology and AI, and the urgency of maintaining mental health amidst the chaos and pressure to perform. In short, we once again find ourselves in uncharted territory.
When the subject is planning an office, how do we solve for the future when the lens is foggy?
The good news can be summed up in an approach called ‘Community-Based Design’. It offers a methodology where borrowing patterns of urban planning concepts that make certain cities a magnet, can be translated and applied to workplace design. Research shows this approach can stimulate a feeling of community and help people and organizations thrive.
Chris Congdon is the Director of Global Communications for Steelcase. “The issue that organizations everywhere are facing is how to manage the overwhelming, unprecedented change and uncertainty. It’s difficult to know what to do next to address the challenges that are the result of a shifting landscape. The workplace is a strategic asset that can not only support the new ways people need to work but also shape their behaviors and help them to adapt to change. A place where people can come together and pull together.”
“Community-Based Design can provide an environment where workers are more likely to have higher levels of engagement, productivity, wellbeing and belonging which equates with better results.”
It is helpful to first establish what is driving the need for leaders to consider adjustments to their current workplace. In the midst of profound change, exactly what steps to take may be hard to define. Steelcase’s Workspace Futures team has conducted extensive research over the last two decades suggesting a sharp departure away from the sea of cubicles and paving the way toward diverse spaces that balance the need for interaction and privacy. Today, researchers are addressing the four primary drivers at the heart of disruption and change:
- Living on screen—screen-based interactions have overtaken in-person communication even if the worker is steps away from the meeting space. Convenience trumps connection.
- AI Supercycle—Employees are adopting AI. Leaders are trying to leverage the opportunities for innovation and increased productivity. Excitement and fear coexist.
- Sustainability Mindsets—The number of organizations committed to sustainability goals has doubled in the past year. Spaces must be designed for flexibility and resilience.
- Wellbeing Urgency—Mental health is a global epidemic, especially among younger generations. It is affecting both quality of life and work. Workplace design cannot eradicate all the factors, but it can be part of the solution.
By understanding how these macro-level shifts change behavior, we can create resilient workplaces that build community and help people do their best work. However, in navigating through uncharted territory, organizational leaders need guidance as to what products might incorporate Community-Based Design principles.
We asked three Principals of architectural design firms known for their innovation and expertise to describe their philosophy and approach to Community-Based Design.
Jennifer Wallace Sasek is a Principal and Owner of McCarthy Nordburg. Jennifer describes Community-Based Design as a microcosm of the larger community in which an organization chooses to locate. “During programming we learn about the client’s qualitative and quantitative goals…the purpose of the space, their brand and unique culture. That is how we discover the fabric of the company which is a community in and of itself. People are an organization’s greatest asset. Our role is to help them thrive through their built environment.”
In terms of products that accommodate Community-Based Design, Jennifer emphasizes flexibility.
“People should not have to adapt to the furniture. It should be the other way around. Giving an individual the option to move and reshape the environment to the way they need to work in that moment gives them a sense of ownership.”
“We have been fortunate to have served some forward-thinking clients who break with tradition,” says Jennifer. Recent McCarthy Nordburg clients embracing Community-Based Design are law firms— unlikely candidates considering the traditional, hierarchical stereotype of the legal profession. Jennifer explains that despite the need for visual and audio privacy, several are prioritizing community outreach spaces within their offices. “We are creating multi-purpose spaces outside the private offices where the reception, café, adjacent board rooms and exterior patios can be “opened” to be used collaboratively to host celebrations and community events for employees, clients and guests. The hierarchy is being stripped down and everyone is being welcomed into what used to be a C-Suite space. They are enjoying the pride that comes from having a warm and inviting destination for clients and referrals.”
Michelle Kollmann is a Principal at Ayers Saint Gross. “Community is central to everything we do. Good design isn’t just about aesthetics or function; it’s about reflecting the voices and values of the people who will actually use the space. When a space is shaped by the people it’s meant to serve, it has the power to support and nurture that community. It becomes a place where people feel a sense of ownership and belonging. Thoughtful design can encourage connection, spark collaboration, and create opportunities for people to come together in meaningful ways.”
Michelle is a proponent of products that give people choice and control over their environment. “People should be able to adjust lighting and temperature and have flexible furniture that can move and adapt depending upon what’s happening in the space that day. Products that can be easily reconfigured are valuable. They help people shape the space to fit their needs. That kind of agency makes a huge difference in how connected and comfortable people feel.”
Ayers Saint Gross is currently dealing with their own new headquarters. Michelle describes it as a great example of Community-Based Design in action. “We’ve been going through a thorough engagement process with our staff – visioning sessions, mural boards, surveys – to get an in-depth understanding on how people are working now and what they need from our space.”
“The way we work has changed so much in the past few years. We’re a mix of in-person, hybrid, remote… we can work from pretty much anywhere. The big question became: what makes it worth coming in? The answer that kept surfacing was community.”
“People want to connect. Some are looking for vibrant, social spaces with lots of energy and collaboration, while others need places to focus and recharge. The beauty of this process has been seeing all the perspectives come together to shape something more meaningful. This process has reminded us that community is at the heart of who we are. It’s been incredibly rewarding to be a part of that.”
Holly Dezinski, a Principal and Senior Interior Designer at SmithGroup, believes that Community-Based Design is essential to creating vibrant, engaging workspaces where employees can thrive.
“In workplace design, the ‘neighborhood concept’ – which provides a variety of spaces for focused work, collaboration, socialization and more – is becoming more mainstream. Organizations are seeing first-hand the many benefits that come from providing employees with a diverse array of spaces and places to work.”
According to Holly the quickly changing landscape, especially as it relates to integration of power and technology, is driving the need for future proofing. “The world of work is going to continue to evolve, but one thing will not change: The need for uninterrupted access to reliable, high-performing wireless technology. Connectivity, content sharing, seamless integration and the introduction of new platforms will require increased access to outlets and charging stations. Prioritizing accessible power solutions and designing spaces to accommodate a flexible infrastructure will require a substantial investment but will be necessary to ensure an organizations long-term success.”
Specializing in university and research lab environments, Holly notes that while these institutions lead in innovation, their office spaces often lag behind the progressive principles found in Community-Based Design. “Researchers must do their work in the lab—they thrive on collaboration, curiosity, and focus. Their work environments adjacent to the lab space should support that. While private offices may remain, there’s now greater opportunity to offer choice through spaces designed for different modes of work. We’re not just designing offices—we’re creating ecosystems that support how researchers think, connect, and create.”
The design department leaders at Atmosphere have also been incorporating the principles of Community-Based Design to help customers deal with the pace and magnitude of change when planning new or renovated spaces.
Stacy Wieme is the Design Manager for Wisconsin and Illinois. “Leaders are struggling with the post Covid equation of bringing people back to the office to reestablish culture and connection. They are realizing attraction and retention don’t just happen. The workplace itself has to be inspiring.” Stacy is currently working with a client that has outgrown their existing facility and is open to thinking differently about how they leverage their space. Earlier this year her team completed a survey with occupants of the proposed prototype area. The survey was followed with a workshop hosted by Atmosphere to discuss results and subsequently, a trip to Steelcase headquarters in Grand Rapids to provide a clearer definition and direction for the core planning team. According to Stacy, the client is gravitating to several principles of Community-Based Design. “We are looking at a combination of neighborhoods and ‘front porches’ for teams, shared workstations, focus enclaves, hybrid technology to enhance the meeting experience, and ancillary spaces that allow for socializing and rejuvenation. This promises to be an inspiring space that will elevate the employee experience and strengthen the company’s culture and brand.”
Both new and existing facilities can incorporate Community-Based Design. Since predicting the future is faulty at best, the key is built-in flexibility to support change and growth. Investing in products that are flexible, multi-use, and intuitive is worthwhile. Amy Helm is the Design Team Leader for new business in Minneapolis. “Most organizations are not informed or equipped to support the pace and magnitude of the changes they face. Community-Based Design is an ecosystem of urban planning design principles and districts applied to the workplace for optimal engagement, particularly with Gen Z. It solves the macro shifts in behavior at work by encouraging connections, accessibility, and equitability. It also focuses attention on the speed of assimilation inherent in a high-tech environment.” Amy shares an interesting case in point. “We have a client who consults with other companies on the future of technology, and they are struggling to keep up with their own space. We are recommending a portfolio of products that raise the IQ and EQ of meetings rooms that treat in-person and virtual participants equally for a productive, inclusive experience.”
Amy Wood is the Design Manager for Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas. “Imagine an office as a city, carefully designed with districts and neighborhoods. Planning with mixed-use spaces makes it more flexible and easier to adapt to changes, which is more economical. When this concept is translated into the interior design, you’ll see a renewed energy in the space. Done right, it fosters a sense of fun in connecting and communicating again. The goal should be to create an environment where people are excited to spend time in the office.”
Community-Based Design provides the right ethos to reorganize spaces. We believe workplaces inspired and informed by urban planning will accelerate natural, functional, and meaningful connections. Atmosphere, together with our industry partners and key influencers in the architectural and design community, are poised to apply these principles and insights toward relevant solutions. Organizations that respond and are sensitive to the macro-shifts that continue to fundamentally change work will enjoy the power of resilience.
The Bottom Line?
The physical environment can either support or discourage performance. Those who intentionally plan from the “inside-out” will enrich the lives of those who work there, positively impacting performance and sustaining a vibrant culture.