When you’re planning or updating an office, it’s easy to get caught up in buzzwords. Open plan or private offices. Collaborative layouts. Hot desking. But what really matters is this: Does your office support the actual work your team does every day?
If your employees are struggling to focus, constantly hunting for a quiet spot or crowding into spaces not built for teamwork, the layout may be working against them.
Start With the Work, Not the Furniture
Every team has a unique rhythm. Some people spend most of their day in deep concentration. Others move between meetings, client calls and impromptu discussions. Designing around those patterns creates a space that supports productivity.
That means identifying the types of tasks that occur regularly. Think about where your team needs quiet. Where they gather to brainstorm. Where clients are welcomed. Get input from employees. Look at how your current space is being used—or avoided. These observations provide the insight you need to shape the ideal workplace.
The Value of Purpose-Built Zones
Instead of choosing between open or private offices, focus on offering variety. Different tasks call for various environments, and it’s possible to design a space that accommodates all of them within a single floorplan.
Here are a few core zones to consider:
Focus Zones
These are quiet, low-distraction areas for individual work. They might be enclosed rooms or clearly marked sections where conversation is minimal.
Collaboration Areas
For group work or informal meetings, flexible team zones are ideal. These might include movable furniture, writable surfaces or lounge-style seating that allows ideas to flow freely.
Touchdown Spaces
Not every task needs a desk. A touchdown area is a quick, informal place to check emails, finish a call or do short bursts of work. These are perfect for hybrid schedules or staff who move throughout the day.
Quiet Rooms and Pods
Sometimes privacy matters. Small, soundproofed rooms are essential for phone calls, virtual meetings or sensitive conversations. These also give people a break from noise and visual distractions.
Meeting Spaces
Beyond collaboration zones, you’ll want formal meeting areas. Think smaller rooms for team huddles and at least one larger space for client presentations or group discussions. Place them where they’re easy to find but separated from the quieter zones.
Social and Break Areas
Don’t overlook the value of rest. A well-placed café, kitchen or lounge encourages casual connection and gives employees a place to reset. These moments often build team culture in a way that planned meetings can’t.
Tying It All Together
Once you’ve outlined the zones, consider how they’ll fit together—layout matters. Keep louder, social areas away from the quiet zones. Group collaborative spaces where they’re easy to access. Use signage or visual cues to help people understand the purpose of each area.
Design consistency also helps. Use similar materials, colors or lighting throughout so the office feels cohesive. That doesn’t mean every area has to look the same, but they should feel like parts of a whole.
And make sure every zone has what it needs. Outlets, Wi-Fi and monitors—these small details affect whether a space is actually used. The more friction you remove, the more flexible and functional the office becomes.
Give People a Choice
Task-based design works because it gives employees options. When people can choose where and how they work best, they tend to be more productive and more satisfied. When your space reflects the reality of how your team works, everything runs a little smoother. That’s good for business and good for your team.
Check out our blog for more insights into design trends, or contact our team for expert guidance on your next project.