Designing for employee satisfaction boosts work fulfilment and productivity

Designing 'Microenvironments' transforms the workplace into a hub for convergence, growth, inspiration, innovation, and collaboration.

This employee satisfaction and productivity-based approach creates a high-satisfaction work environment where employees can thrive, learn, and perform at their peak. The end result is a 'Magnetic Workplace' that makes the daily commute a worthwhile investment for employees. 

Using Social Spaces to Converge

Social spaces within the office interior serve as a great medium for employees to wind down, interact and have fun. These microenvironments however also serve the additional purpose of a space to ‘converge’ for impromptu meetings, brainstorming sessions and even quiet working. One of many such “third place spaces” are work cafes within the workplace ecosystem where conversations thrive and spark spontaneous dialogues.

The ambiance of a space, including its aromas, sounds, visuals, and textures, greatly enhances the experience for those who visit. The work cafe in LinkedIn's Bangalore office harnesses these sensory elements - like the scent of coffee,, the use of the brand colour blue, and the comfort of plush chairs - to create a soothing atmosphere for collaborations and discussions.

Overcoming Proximity Bias for Learning and Growth in Hybrid Work

Hybrid work setups have increased the desire for mentorship and growth among employees, but remote work can pose a challenge for equal access to these opportunities. In-person interactions and impromptu meetings have been replaced with scheduled calls, leading to a demand for opportunities to learn and grow. The proximity bias, where remote employees may miss out on professional development and mentorship, must be addressed to ensure equal growth opportunities for all.

To promote employee satisfaction, growth and mentorship, companies need to create opportunities for learning and development and foster a supportive environment with their workplace designs. Nestle wanted to prioritise employee growth and well-being for its office design concept. This was achieved with community-focused spaces or ‘dynamic zones’ and opportunities for impromptu meetings and conversations between teams, that improve team effectiveness, provide opportunities for learning and growth, and have a positive impact on employee mental health and well-being

Inspiring Collaboration through Chance Encounters

Work is not limited to a traditional desk setting. In fact, meaningful conversations and collaborations occur in informal settings such as break rooms, kitchens, and common areas as well. These spaces provide opportunities to ‘collaborate’ with incidental interactions and inspire exploration and participation. With collaboration becoming a crucial aspect of many companies' work culture, office design must adapt to accommodate this shift. A single formal conference room is no longer sufficient; modern offices should include spaces that promote spontaneous interactions and informal conversations. This approach can foster a more dynamic and creative work environment, encouraging team members to share ideas and collaborate more effectively.

BrowserStack's Mumbai office designed by Space Matrix effectively incorporates six distinct collaboration spaces, including single-person phone booths for private calls, informal meeting booths for face-to-face conversations, and a large step seating area for impromptu interactions. The office interior also includes brainstorming zones and formal conference rooms for planned meetings and confidential conversations. This approach to office design caters to the needs of all employees and fosters a more connected and equitable work environment. 

Nurturing  Talent and Building Community for Employee Success

Creating a sense of community and connection with the organization can play a crucial role in helping employees thrive and reach their full potential. This is why the design of the workplace can be a valuable tool in nurturing great talent and promoting a sense of belonging among employees. By encouraging interactions, fostering connections across the organization, and supporting the company's mission, employees can feel more engaged, motivated and focused. In turn, this contributes to a more productive and successful work environment.

To foster a sense of belonging and connection in the workplace, it's important to help employees understand their role in the company's growth and development, especially in a start-up environment. Stanza Living's new workplace aimed to build a thriving community and achieve its goals, and Space Matrix helped make this a reality by installing a real-time milestone tracker in a central location. This running ticker provides employees with immediate visibility of their achievements and their impact on the company's growth, increasing their sense of belonging and connection with the organization.

Unleash the full potential of your workforce with the help of Space Matrix's workplace design experts. With decades of experience across various sectors and projects of all sizes, our team can help create an environment that boosts employee satisfaction and productivity. Get in touch with us today to start realizing the benefits of a well-designed workplace.