Sydney Moeller and Marilyn Russell of Baker Barrios Architects explore how the hospitality sector is influencing office design.
While the pandemic prompted owners and developers to incorporate healthcare best practices into new and redeveloped office buildings – think advanced air filtration, touchless tech and antimicrobial surfaces – another sector of the real estate industry is influencing design as corporations tackle one of the pandemic’s enduring challenges of return-to-office: hospitality.
In today’s corporate environment where companies are trying to lure people back to the office and many jobs can be performed remotely, the most successful office designs make the office a place employees are motivated to come to. Companies that pay keen attention to how the in-office experience impacts their team and view that experience as an extension of their brand are poised to see better employee satisfaction, retention and productivity. For inspiration, architects and designers are turning to the hospitality sector, where the destination experience and branding are interwoven.
Corporate Identity = Personal Identity
For Gen Z – and even Millennials, too – where they work is a central part of their individual identity, according to Pew Research Center’s 2023 report: How Americans View Their Work. Recognizing the significant portion of their lifetime spent at work, these employees want to find connection in not only their jobs but also their working environment.
It’s also important to younger workers that their employer shares their values, such as being an inclusive workplace, offering a vibrant and engaging office environment, and fostering collaboration.
First impressions
In the hospitality industry, the first five seconds of a guest’s interaction is considered key, according to eHotelier.com, an online resource for hospitality professionals. The same should apply to the office. Whether it’s a team member, client, prospect or guest, the individual should feel not only welcome but also present at your company. People should know who you are and what you’re about. A few ways to accomplish this are:
- Décor, lighting, furnishings, art that reflect your brand. It’s not enough to just put your logo on the wall; you need to infuse your brand into the entire space.
- Easy wayfinding and integrated tech. Utilize digital signage and QR codes for people to easily find what they are looking for, whether it’s a specific location or simply the wi-fi information.
- Recast the reception desk as a concierge station. Whether it’s staffed with an individual or fully automated, this spot should greet all people and assist them in finding precisely what they need. Make it a gateway to your space rather than a place for gatekeepers. Even with the need for security, this space can evoke a sense of welcome.
Flexible Square Footage
Another best practice offices can borrow from hotels is creating flexible spaces that can serve multiple uses. Much like a hotel’s lobby is also a touchdown spot for guests or the lounge doubles as a spot to get some work done, corporate offices should offer a variety of multi-functional options.
Think conference rooms that can also serve as shared workstations for hybrid team members, passive seating areas that can shift to be a collaborative huddle zone, or “Zoom rooms” where employees are comfortable taking calls – business or personal. Select furnishings with multiple capabilities that can be easily reconfigured as needed.
Focus on Wellness
Just as vital as it is for your team to be connected, it’s also valuable for them to have a spot to disconnect. The design of the “downtime” space also needs to reflect the values and brand of the company.
The office of tomorrow will integrate features like quiet rooms and provide opportunities for movement, be that direct outdoor connection, an integrated staircase that encourages walkability or space for activities like ping pong.
The biophilic design often found in modern hotels is also increasingly incorporated into modern office space. Given the abundance of research that shows natural light boosts moods and productivity, good office design will incorporate that indoor-outdoor connection that provides as much access to this natural resource as possible.
Amenities Aplenty
As a hotel guest, conveniences like a fitness center, dry cleaning, valet and other services are usually just steps or a call away. Offices can offer the same experience of convenience. After many months of working from home, people are accustomed to being able to accomplish personal tasks throughout the workday. An office that provides similar resources with, for example, an on-site gym and locker room, doggie daycare or drop-off/pick-up laundry services, will alleviate some of the reasons employees would rather stay home, resulting in a workforce more enthusiastic about coming to the office and more focused while they are there. In fact, they might even start to prefer their highly amenitized workspace to their usual remote work spot.
With more employers wanting their teams back in-person – at least on a hybrid basis – and a similar number of employees saying “no thanks,” companies need to carefully consider their approach. When it comes to designing a place where your team will want to be, following the lead of the hospitality industry will help companies get more employees to, as one famous hotel chain advertises, “stay and play.”
