There’s a kind of magic in the way our surroundings affect how we feel and behave. Our workspaces, where we spend so much of our lives, have a huge impact on our performance and day-to-day experiences.  

The rise in hybrid working and the evolution of technology have altered the way people work. More and more employees are now viewing the office as a place to come together, share ideas, create and connect. So how do we design our workspaces to support this new dynamic?

In this article we look at what happens when people come together in a purposeful space, and how that space affects collaboration and innovation. We also share examples of how we’ve used design to help our clients spark creativity at work.

Encouraging creativity – why is it so important?

Creativity in the workplace is a growing area of fascination. A 2019 Forbes article points out how much things have changed in recent years. At the date of publication, the division of labour between humans and machines was about a 70/30 split, but three years later that was down significantly. It begs the question, what will it be like in another three years…?

As more and more of our work is given over to machines, the type of work we do becomes evermore important. Interior design experts, for example, have a renewed focus on fostering creativity and innovation in the workplace. If machines are going to do all the boring stuff, we need to free up people – and more importantly, free up their minds – to focus on what really matters. How can we design the workspaces of the future to give people the best possible creative head-start?

Here are a few examples of how we did exactly that with our clients...

Enabling creativity through choice at the Post Office

When we partnered with the Post Office, a key part of the brief was to create a working environment that nurtured a culture of innovation and problem-solving.

Choice and freedom have been shown to be one of the biggest drivers of creativity, which is why we wanted to embed it into the workplace design from the start. By introducing activity-based working, employees have a range of work and social settings to choose from.  They are no longer chained to a desk and instead have the freedom to select an environment that supports their wants and needs.

We also added a large AV feature with rolling content, which acts as a focal point within the company, representing what the business delivers to the community. This gives people a sense of connection to the organisation and motivates them to keep on innovating and creating new solutions. 

Read the full story here.

Empowering creative experts at ‘frog’ to work innovatively

Creativity at award-winning design consultancy frog isn’t in short supply. The agency have designed for Apple, Audi and L’Oréal and, as a team of designers, they have a keen eye for detail. They encouraged us to push the boundaries of design, reaching above and beyond what were already high standards.

frog’s new workplace design had to work harder for their growing team, encompass a refreshed brand direction, and empower employees to express their creativity. The new “resimercial” feel gives their office a homely atmosphere while reflecting their cohesive culture and brand. We installed tools that facilitate hybrid working: more power ports and charging stations, and upgraded AV and Teams video conferencing for employees and clients to connect easily, wherever they are in the world.

The end result is a fun environment with tools and spaces that support well-being, enhance global interaction, build relationships and fuel creativity.

Read the full story here.

Breeding bigger ideas in smaller spaces with Clyde & Co

We worked with Clyde & Co throughout the pandemic to design and build a central workspace where clients, staff and visitors can interact more effectively.

Their teams were dispersed across two buildings and fourteen floors, which restricted collaboration. These siloed teams needed an environment that would encourage a greater sense of community. Our solution – at the new 71,000 sq. ft. workspace in the Two New Bailey building in Manchester – is spread across just four floors. Instead of assigning staff to fixed desks, we developed a much more versatile layout. 

The new space encourages employees and clients to get together, share ideas and feel connected: all key components in creativity and innovation. Every area of the building is tech-enabled, so employees can simply plug and play with their laptops.

Read the full story here.

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Breaking down silos at Kellogg’s

As a heritage brand with a whole load of history, Kellogg’s needed help with a design that transitioned the company from a more traditional way of working to a flexible, vibrant style.

By engaging people early in the process, we were able to move the Kellogg’s team through the entire transformation seamlessly. Now, people at Kellogg’s work in their new Manchester workspace in a way that’s been specifically designed to inspire them to connect, collaborate and create together.

Read the full story here.

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Fostering collaboration through design at Entain

Technology is the foundation of everything online gaming and entertainment leader Entain delivers. They wanted a next-level office that drives collaboration, innovation and hybrid working. 

We delivered a flexible workspace that can evolve and adapt over time. Throughout the carefully crafted floorplates, the tapestry of digital technology intertwines effortlessly, empowering their hybrid workforce. 

We introduced a state-of-the-art media and content studio, a sports bar with sports TV throughout the day, and an esports and gaming zone. These spaces encourage people to catch up, connect and share ideas in an informal setting. 

Read the full story here.

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Our experts are always on hand to help you find a unique solution that will boost creativity and innovation within your organisation. Contact us.

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