Real-life stories for better workspace design

We all make mistakes – it’s human nature. But the key to success lies in learning from these mistakes and using them to inform future decisions. In the world of workspace design, this is especially true. Many clients and designers face common traps in workspace projects, ranging from overlooking employee needs to inadequate planning and ignoring flexibility. Worse still, clients can unwittingly repeat industry jargon, which creates confusion and hinders the project’s progress.

Creating a fantastic workspace can be tricky. Sometimes, a well-intentioned redesign falls short, wasting resources and impacting satisfaction. The lack of flexibility in design can become a significant problem as the company evolves. Another common issue is not asking the right questions, whether of leadership, colleagues, or the end-users of the workspace. These scenarios are all too familiar and can lead to substantial setbacks. Often, these shortcomings are swept under the proverbial carpet as we assert our expertise, only to find ourselves designing around problems that could have been avoided. We can’t predict the future or precisely foresee human behaviour, leaving us to resort to well-trodden paths.

The good news is that these pitfalls can be avoided. Learning from real-world examples helps designers and clients tackle challenges more effectively, develop open communication, and approach projects with confidence, ready to handle inevitable bumps in the road together.

“Workspace Made Easy” is our guide to navigating these challenges. Neil Usher and I have drawn upon fifty years of combined experience and plenty of mistakes to create this book. Our goal is to simplify the process and improve communication. The book offers practical tips based on our own stories and lessons learned, highlighting common errors and helping to avoid them.

Discussing the book’s lessons with clients during planning can help set expectations, anticipate problems early, and save time and money. Additionally, sharing these stories can boost clients’ trust in your methods, which is crucial for a successful project.

Real-life stories can help clients identify and express their needs and expectations. This, in turn, enables them to create clearer briefs and become better clients.

Recognising that mistakes are part of the process is crucial. By learning from our experiences, we can create workspaces that address real needs and foster open dialogue. Embracing our imperfections allows us to improve continuously and deliver environments that meet genuine human needs.

“Workspace Made Easy: a clear and practical guide on how to create a fantastic work environment“, by Kursty Groves and Neil Usher. Available to pre-order on Amazon.