AUTHOR
Steve Brewer
ReThinkWorkplace _ Independent Workplace Design Consultant
In the world of environmental restoration, rewilding is about letting nature take the lead,
allowing ecosystems to regenerate, adapt, and thrive. What if we applied the same
philosophy to the workplace?
For too long, office design has been about rigid perfection, pristine desks, sterile lighting,
and a ‘new is best’ mentality. But just as nature embraces imperfection, workplaces should,
too.
ReWilding the Workplace is about shifting our mindset from polished uniformity to organic,
evolving, and sustainable spaces that support people and the planet.
I think we are getting there, inching forwards, but still too often I see Biophilic this and the
greenest office that, alongside polished floors, bright LED lighting and bland thinking.
Beyond Biophilic Design: A Deeper Shift
Yes, bringing nature into offices through plants and biophilic design is valuable. But
ReWilding the Workplace goes deeper. It’s about embracing imperfection, reuse, and
adaptability as core design principles, rather than just surface-level greenwashing. It’s time to ReThinkWorkplace…
Think about it:
Reused materials shouldn’t be a compromise; they should be the first choice.
Scratches, wear, and repurposed furniture tell a story, just like in nature.
Offices should evolve over time, just as ecosystems do. Even to the point where we should look to embrace the seasons! OK, nobody wants to walk in from the rain, only to have the sprinkler system on (maybe a step too far) But that circadian rhythm is achievable through the right lighting, and seeing something blow in the breeze (probably via the AC system) is not a bad thing, it’s a positive!
Rewilding isn’t about chaos, it’s about designing for resilience. The best workplaces
function like thriving habitats: diverse, adaptable, and shaped by the people who use them.
Principles of ReWilding the Workplace
Embracing Imperfection
In nature, no two trees are identical, and no river flows in a straight line. Why do we expect
our offices to be flawless? Scratches, marks, and repurposed materials aren’t flaws, they’re character. A rewilded workplace welcomes authenticity over artificial perfection.
Sitting here, writing this with a jumper that has holes in the elbows, from the countless hours
with my kids from days gone by; brings back memories. No, I am not saying that that office
sofa with a stain on it should remain just because, and yes, I do own hole-less jumpers that I
am more likely to wear when I go to a meeting.
Revaluing What Already Exists
New doesn’t always mean better. Instead of gutting offices for a fresh aesthetic, ReWilding
the Workplace embraces reuse and upcycling as standard practice. Imagine an office
where every piece of furniture has a history and a purpose, just like the natural landscapes
we love to walk amongst.
Designing for Change
Workplaces should be designed to evolve over time, not stay frozen. Flexible layouts,
adaptable spaces, and movable furniture allow offices to grow organically, just like natural
environments shift with the seasons.
The built environment is typically static. Designed, and then delivered, with little room for
change in the future (without yet more cost to the planet) But I’ve seen this movement start
to gain traction. Even down to the little things I encourage. From artwork that is produced
internally, and changes on a semi regular basis.
And yes, I am sure there are going to be challenges. A Facilities Manager’s nightmare,
access and inclusivity go without saying, but I better say, as someone will point out that I
didn’t… But it’s not just about aesthetics. A truly ReGenerative Workplace, just as nature does, will
go deeper yet again, and energy efficiency, adaptability and self-generating principles will be applied.
Supporting Natural Rhythms
We feel better when we work with nature, not against it. That means –
● Maximising natural light over artificial lighting.
● Using breathable, natural materials over synthetic ones.
● Encouraging movement and variation instead of static, fixed desk setups.
Movement itself plays a massive part in this equation. All now encouraged to take a walk in
nature on a daily basis, but then what? Return to that stark office and sit down again all
afternoon…So what if the blend between these two worlds were less, and that street was more of a
‘path’, that building lobby more of a ‘park’ and then movement inside and out would be more seamless. We’ve started to see streets become car-less, people (and bicycles) being the norm. Exciting new architecture really embracing this change.
Encouraging Autonomy & Interaction
A rewilded workplace isn’t static, it invites employees to shape their environment. More
successfully, Co-Designing from the start.
Whether it’s moving desks, adjusting lighting, or integrating personal touches, the office
should be a living space that adapts to people, not the other way around.
How Do We Start ReWilding Workplaces?
Reassess what you already have. What can be reused, repurposed, or reimagined?
Shift the mindset from ‘new is best’ to ‘what tells a story?’
Integrate natural elements in a meaningful way. Not just plants, but airflow, textures, and
organic design principles.
Create space for evolution. Avoid over-designed, rigid layouts that don’t allow for change.
Celebrate imperfection. Because work (and life) is never pristine.
The Future of Work is Wild!
ReWilding the Workplace is about ReThinking how we design, build, and interact with our
work environments, typically for me the office. It’s time to move beyond aesthetics and
embrace a truly sustainable, human-centric approach.
Just as rewilding helps nature regenerate, it can help workplaces become healthier, more
authentic, and better places to thrive.
Are you ready to ReWilding your Workplace? What steps can you take today to begin
rewilding your workplace?
Thought piece.
This is just that. ReWilding the Workplace is a concept that I’ve played around with for a while now. Since I started using the term ‘ReThink’ through my projects years ago,
ReThinkWorkplace is now my approach. Taking a step back, reevaluating, and then setting off.
Spurred on from attending the Biophilic Design Conference last year at the Barbican, sealed my thinking! Thanks again Ness!
ReWilding the Workplace may well be my dream, and not yours. Some will say their
workplace is wild enough already!
Just like nature and all its imperfections, please don’t mark me down for poor spelling and grammar.
And chapeau to those who are out there, putting the planet first, and sharing the joy of
wearing holy-jumpers while working from home….
Thanks
Steve