The One Thing Inspiring Workspaces Around the World Have in Common

The shift toward employee engagement calls workplace wellbeing to the fore. Enlisting all our senses, inspiring workspaces motivate and allow us to consistently operate at peak performance. They also encourage recognition of our fundamental physical, emotional, and cognitive needs as people. Allowing employees to be, feel, and think their best means something different for everyone. Something we all crave, though, is connection.

Connection – to both company values and the resources that allow employees to successfully echo those values through their daily work – is the hallmark of an empowering workspace. See how these five inspiring workspaces from around the world connect people to tools, technology, and one another.

Nokia, USA

Photo courtesy of Interior Design Magazine

Empowering employees to take ownership of their work, inspiring spaces are flexible and adaptable. To successfully support the various modes of work and corresponding technology – or regularly scheduled respite from – used throughout the day, Nokia’s R&D office in Silicon Valley (above) provides employees this unique, multi-purpose space. Picture group meetings, individual work, and socialization here. Bonus points for providing connection to nature-inspired elements, as environmental surroundings, views, or imagery thereof can revive even the foggiest of brains on the foggiest of days.

 

Soundcloud, Germany

 
Photos courtesy of Kinzo

Likewise, Soundcloud’s Berlin workspace allows a choice among diverse spaces for different tasks. Yet open sight lines and proximity to other zones means no isolation.

 

Capital One, USA

 
Photos courtesy of Capital One Financial Corporation (left) & OTJ Architects (right)

Fostering this sense of community and value of employees’ preferences are echoed in Capital One’s inspiring office spaces as well. A large, central café and collaboration space in their San Francisco office (right) encourages connection. Their Arlington, Virginia innovation hub (left) supports a balance of individual and group work as well as private and public space.

When a company’s culture and workplace are connected, an intentional reflection of their mission and brand is achieved through design.

 

Fujistu, Italy

Photo courtesy of Steelcase

Japanese company Fujitsu’s striking Milan office breaks down barriers between its own employees in support of their human-centered mission.

 

Autodesk, Israel

 
Photos courtesy of Setter Architects

Software creators Autodesk’s Tel Aviv workspace celebrates the creativity of both their employees and their target audience. The juxtaposition of various finish materials help to define different zones meant to support different tasks.

Ultimately, the most inspiring workspaces in the world support connections between people, tools, technology, and each other. At Custer, we are experts at identifying and celebrating the unique needs of your company in order to integrate solutions that best connect and empower your employees. Ready to take the next step in developing an inspiring workspace of your own? Schedule a complimentary design consultation here.

 

Ashley Newton is a soon-to-be graduate of the Interior Design program at Kendall College of Art and Design. She is a design intern at Custer, working with various departments to support Custer’s mission of designing and building exceptional spaces that connect & empower people to do their best work.