The upcoming Workspace Design Show in London, scheduled for 27 – 28 February, will be packed with insights and innovations on workplace interiors. Among the many speakers scheduled to attend is Bex Moorhouse, the Founder of Invigorate Spaces. Read her perspectives on how modern offices are adapting to the evolving needs of the workforce.
How do you see offices providing focus spaces, spaces that allow for reduced distraction and high concentration?
Post pandemic, we have seen hybrid working and unassigned seating sky rocket, which in some cases has left a very noisy open-plan floor plate. Latest statistics also suggest that 15-20% of the UK workforce is Neurodivergent, so it is clear that quiet spaces are essential in the modern workplace. Mixing up these types of quiet spaces is really important, from library style spaces (with desks, monitors and importantly no calls/teams/zoom etc.), to more relaxed den style spaces where people can just decompress from the day and think. Adding plants, tactile wall fabrics, music and dimmable lightening can also really supercharge the impact of these spaces.
Our theme this year is ‘Bloom: exploring the thriving ecosystem of work life.’ How do you see offices ‘blooming’ in current times?
With every employee now effectively “visiting” their own workplace, offices need to do more than just provide a space to work. The workplace now becomes a canvas for experiences and culture to be layered on top. It’s about the feeling that your employees get when they come to the workplace and ensuring that with every visit they see an enhancement in their performance not in their productivity. Hotelification of workspaces, supports this bloom, curating the coffee to the conversation, all leaves a lasting positive experience, which means returning isn’t mandated, as it just happens naturally.