Clerkenwell Design Week Throwback: Top Workspace Takeaways
Key Takeaways from Clerkenwell Design Week: Evolving Workspaces for Wellbeing, Collaboration, and Sustainability
Workspace design was a key focus for this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week. With the continued evolution of the workspace following the dynamic changes brought by the return of the workforce post-COVID, discussions centred heavily on enhancing staff wellbeing. Employers are becoming more attuned to the needs and wants of their employees, recognizing that wellbeing areas are crucial for allowing staff to step away and recharge, which in turn improves productivity and boosts morale.
During this year’s visit, we were delighted to be invited to spend an evening at the Haworth showroom with Gayle Murphy, Andrew Dunkley, and the team. While there, we were fortunate to meet Rose Pang, an Ideation Workplace Advisor, who conducted an Ideation workshop for us. She demonstrated how they use this process to help clients clearly identify the key workspace needs of their team by analysing time spent on various tasks and team priorities. This led to an insightful discussion about the different requirements within any workspace and integrated many of the elements we had observed during our time in London, showing how these can be used to create inclusive environments.
Focused Workspace
A standout feature at the event was the individual work pods and focused workstations showcased by a range of suppliers, including Orangebox. These elements cater to the need for concentrated, distraction-free environments where employees can perform deep work. The demand for such focused spaces reflects a growing recognition of the importance of providing areas tailored to specific tasks, thus enhancing overall efficiency and job satisfaction. These products ranged from fully enclosed pods providing convenient isolation space to individual task chairs with surrounds allowing the user to focus while not being completely removed from the workspace environment. Acoustic solutions, such as those shown by Autex, were another great example of how clever acoustic design can enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of the workspace.
Collaborative Space
Another key benefit highlighted in our discussions is the advantage of collaboration now that employees have returned to the office. Dedicated collaborative spaces, including multiple staff booths, were prominently featured. These spaces are designed to facilitate teamwork and spontaneous interactions, fostering a sense of community and enhancing the collaborative efforts that drive innovation and problem-solving. These types of products were shown throughout the event with various layouts and finishes following the latest trends and colour palettes. A great example of this is the offerings from Boss, which include options ranging from relaxed seating pods to larger six-person meeting pods.
Wellbeing Focus
The emphasis on staff wellbeing was a recurring theme throughout our visit and discussions. Wellbeing areas, equipped with amenities for relaxation and rejuvenation, were shown to significantly improve productivity and morale. Ergonomic furniture, natural lighting, and climate control systems contribute to a comfortable and health-promoting environment, supporting both the physical and mental health of employees.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design continues to demonstrate its importance by improving the atmosphere within workspaces. By incorporating natural elements such as plants, water, and natural materials, the workspace becomes more inviting and inspiring. This connection to nature has been shown to reduce stress and increase creativity and productivity, making biophilic elements a staple in modern office design. Davison Highley showed some fantastic examples of this over the week in their showroom with Innerspace Cheshire, allowing attendees to experience a relaxed environment with their modular furniture along with the use of moss walls, office trees, and indoor plants, demonstrating how these elements can boost well-being and create healthy and enjoyable workspaces.
Sustainability
Our conversations over the week inevitably returned to sustainability, the continued need for sustainable practices, and how this currently influences our designs and products. Sustainability remains a core principle embedded within workspace design. Energy-efficient lighting, the use of recycled materials, and adherence to green building standards reflect a commitment to environmental responsibility. The eye-catching and interactive stand by Universal Fibers was another highlight of our visit, showcasing innovative sustainability practices.
In conclusion, this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week highlighted the ongoing transformation of workspaces to better meet the evolving needs of employees. By focusing on wellbeing, collaboration, biophilic design, and sustainability, modern workspaces are becoming more productive, healthy, and environmentally friendly. These trends underscore the importance of a holistic approach to office design that supports both the individual and collective needs of the workforce.
