Disconnect between office design and occupant needs is growing

More than three-quarters (76%) of facilities managers expect to create more interactive and engaging office environments in the next three years, according to research.

A report from Crown Workspace, which offers workplace transformation services including office relocation, workspace refresh, full refurbishment, and IT solutions, surveyed 1,250 office workers and facilities decision-makers across the UK, US, Singapore, India, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.

It found that 48% of facilities managers also expected to downsize their offices during the same period, in a trend that may be driven by evolving workplace dynamics in the wake of the c, says the report.

The company stated that the analysis also highlights a growing disconnect between the design of offices and the evolving needs of occupants. 

Around 91% of employees polled said they would return to the office more often if the space better supported their needs.

Crown Workspace concludes that there is a noticeable disconnect between attendance and employee preferences. Although 59% of respondents currently worked in the office full-time, only 41% said they prefer to. Nearly half (47%) of respondents favour a hybrid model, which reflects a growing demand for greater flexibility, said the company.

However, it also indicates that the office still holds value, with 45% of employees reporting that they felt more productive in the office compared to 25% at home.

Wellbeing and performance 

Three-quarters (75%) of employees reported that the furniture, layout and flexibility of their office space have a significant impact on their wellbeing and performance. However, fewer than one in four (24%) feel their current setup supports this.

Just over two-thirds (67%) said access to quiet areas was essential, while 77% value having a dedicated workspace. Another 70% believed that having a designated desk with a personalised setup, rather than hot-desking, is critical to a positive office experience. 

More than a third of employees (36%) only have access to a second monitor at work, with only 40% having access to a printer in the office, compared to just 5% who have access to one exclusively at home.

Other tools, such as industry-specific equipment, were also largely office-based, with 58% of employees reporting having access to these only in the office, compared to just 4% who have access to them exclusively at home.

Phil Oram, UKI regional director at Crown Workspace, said that employees were looking for spaces that supported both wellbeing and performance.

“Despite decades of popularity, the fully open office consistently falls short, failing to provide the quiet and personalised spaces people need to thrive,” said Oram. “The future of the successful office will need to be flexible, functional, and above all, designed with people in mind. It’s time for employers to rethink their approach and take decisive steps to create a workspace that truly supports their people because when employees thrive, businesses do too.”