Six Workplace Design Drivers Shaping the Future of Work

Work now happens in traditional offices, home offices, hotel lobbies, cafes, in the train and across time zones. In this increasingly decentralized landscape, what is the purpose of the office? The office must become the heart of the organizational ecosystem, a gathering place that offers people holistic choices for how to engage and reinforces their shared role in advancing the organization’s mission, vision, and culture.

In this era of evolving models of work, we have identified six key drivers for a successful workplace that adapts to evolving expectations and enables effective work: flexibility, third space, inclusivity, technology, well-being, and culture.

FLEXIBILITY & CHOICE

Flexibility and variety create adaptable, human-scale workplaces that fuel focus and collaboration

The workplace must balance variety and flexibility, offering spaces that range from open, hospitality-like settings to private focus areas - allowing users to configure and control their environment as needed for individual and collective work. Adaptability accommodates different work styles and allows for future change. Furniture-as-architecture enables easily reconfigured human-scale neighborhoods, while shared hubs like cafés or commons serve as the internal third space that fosters cohesion and community.

THIRD SPACE

Non-traditional work settings strengthen community and build culture

The workplace “third space,” including casual hubs like cafés and lounges, builds culture and belonging by nurturing spontaneous interaction, cross-team collaboration, and well-being. As preferences shift toward informal environments such as nature retreats, collegial clubhouse spaces, and hospitality-inspired settings, third spaces offer a wider range of experiences that strengthen community and support how people connect, collaborate, and recharge.

INCLUSIVITY

Inclusive design empowers every way of working

An inclusive work culture fosters diversity of thought, different approaches to work, innovation, and creativity. Between 10-20% of the population is neurodiverse and research suggests that teams with neurodivergent professionals in some roles can be 30% more productive than those without them. By designing with empathy for our physical and emotional responses to an environment, we can address the needs of a neurodiverse workforce and create a better working environment for everyone. Sensory design and biophilic design strategies can offer cognitive benefits by restoring attention and improving psychological well-being. By designing choice, employees can pick the best set-up for themselves and interact within the spaces as they choose, empowering them to be confident and at ease.

TECHNOLOGY

Human-centered interaction is the heart of every organization and the key to realizing technology’s potential

Technology continues to facilitate most workplace needs. Providing all employees, whether in-person, hybrid, remote, or a mixture of all three, with effortless, instant access to digital communications is the only way to ensure equity. The spaces that house the technology should be configured to promote participation, encourage collaborations, and include all participants. While technological advances are a key driver of innovation, human-centered interactions remain the heart and soul of an organization.

WELLBEING

Healthy workplaces drive satisfaction, productivity, and growth

In today’s landscape of fierce competition for talent, the ability to attract and retain the workforce rises to the top of strategic priorities for a broad range of organizations. Sustainable success means reimagining how and where work happens while prioritizing employee well-being. While energy efficiency is extremely important, investments in healthy building strategies—like air quality—deliver strong ROI by boosting satisfaction and productivity, while reducing absenteeism.

CULTURE

Culture-driven workplaces spark creativity and inspire purpose

Working together, these dimensions ultimately form an environment that reflects, embodies, and promotes an organization’s place, history, values, and mission – its culture. When implemented successfully, they shape a workplace that inspires creativity, productivity and engagement amongst its users—and contributes to a sense of purpose.

Together, these six drivers create workplaces that respond to changing expectations while reinforcing what remains constant: the need for connection, purpose, and belonging. KSS designs workplace ecosystems that align people, place, and organizational goals, creating environments that can adapt and thrive over time.

Projects featured: Burlington Stores Headquarters, First Round Capital Workplace Interiors, Russo Development Headquarters, Clario (formerly ERT) Workplace Interior, NHL Innovation Lab, Osmo Corporate Headquarters and Manufacturing Facility, BioVid Corporate Headquarters

Sources: Monika Mahto, Susan K. Hogan, and Brenna Sniderman, “A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats: Creating a Better Work Environment for All by Embracing Neurodiversity,” Deloitte Insights, January 18, 2022; Robert D. Austin and Gary P. Pisano, “Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage: Why You Should Embrace It in Your Workforce,” Harvard Business Review , May–June 2017; Angela Nelson, “Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Exciting Opportunities on the Horizon,” rethinkcare.com, May 8, 2018