Offices must be designed to support productivity

WorkWell on March 28, 2025

As hybrid work and flexible arrangements reshape the workforce, office spaces must evolve to remain relevant and supportive of productivity.

The “Adapting Offices for the Future of Work” study from the University of Leeds provides valuable insights into why office design matters in today’s work environment. This blog will share its key findings and actionable strategies for companies looking to design offices that foster productivity, collaboration, and employee satisfaction.

The importance of the physical office.

While remote work has advantages, the research highlights the irreplaceable value of physical office space. Offices serve as an anchor for work, providing an environment conducive to focus, creativity, and connection. For many, being in the office offers mental separation between home and work life, which can enhance productivity.

The University of Leeds study confirmed that offices are central to employee interaction, well-being, and productivity. Employees benefit from direct engagement with colleagues, strengthening social bonds and fostering collaboration.

Time spent with coworkers positively impacts both individuals and organisations by improving morale, reducing isolation, and encouraging teamwork. This social dimension of work emphasises why physical offices must remain part of the modern workplace.

Flexible and hybrid spaces for a dynamic workforce.

With the rise of hybrid work, one-size-fits-all office designs are no longer viable. The modern office must accommodate a range of work styles and schedules. The University of Leeds research suggests that agile, activity-based workspaces are increasingly popular for supporting diverse needs. These spaces offer different setups for focused work, collaboration, and relaxation, enabling employees to choose environments that best suit their tasks.

A flexible office space can help employees feel supported and enhance productivity. Companies are now investing in technologies like hot-desking, booking systems, and reconfigurable furniture to make workplaces adaptable. Such adjustments allow offices to cater to varying attendance patterns while ensuring employees have access to essential resources when they are on-site.

Technology for productivity.

Modern offices need to support productivity through technology. From booking systems that make it easy to reserve workspaces to digital collaboration tools that facilitate remote-in-office communication, technology is key to creating efficient work environments. The Leeds study emphasises that successful hybrid work models depend on more than physical space; they require a robust socio-technical approach.

By incorporating tools like high-speed internet, interactive whiteboards, and virtual meeting rooms, offices can bridge the gap between remote and in-person teams. These technological enhancements support smoother workflows, enabling employees to collaborate without interruption. Investing in such tools helps ensure that time spent in the office is maximally productive and that remote team members remain connected.

Well-being through design.

According to the research, employee well-being has emerged as a top priority for companies, moving from fifth to third on the list of strategic issues for businesses. A well-designed office can promote well-being, which in turn drives productivity. Design elements such as natural lighting, ergonomic furniture, and open layouts contribute to a healthier work environment, reducing stress and enhancing focus.

Collaborative spaces are particularly beneficial for well-being, allowing for social interaction and teamwork. These spaces can range from lounge areas to break rooms or spaces that encourage relaxation and informal conversation. By incorporating elements that prioritise wellness, companies can foster a work environment that attracts and retains talent while supporting productivity.

Tailoring office design.

The Leeds study underscores that no single office layout will meet all companies’ or individuals’ needs. Organisations should assess their specific requirements when planning office space. Some businesses may benefit from open spaces for team brainstorming, while others may need quiet zones for focused work. Flexibility is vital, as employee preferences and business demands may change.

An adaptable office design aligns with the evolving nature of work, enabling organisations to respond to future changes effectively. By continuously evaluating and updating their workspaces, companies can ensure they remain relevant and supportive of productivity for years to come.

Conclusion

The office remains vital to the modern work experience, supporting productivity through purposeful design, technological integration, and well-being-focused elements. These values underpin the approach at WorkWell offices and help ensure that our member retention is among the best in the industry.

As companies navigate the complexities of hybrid work, investing in flexible, adaptable office spaces can yield significant benefits for employee satisfaction and organisational success. By creating offices prioritising these factors, businesses can better equip themselves for a productive and resilient future.

10 benefits of Co-working Spaces

WorkWell on February 18, 2025

Co-working is revolutionising the ways we work, with it being an advantageous style of work to adopt for professionals and businesses alike. The benefits offered by operating in a co-working space are in abundance, providing a cost-effective, flexible and collaborative space.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable office set-up, a vibrant community or the opportunity to expand your professional network, co-working is a dynamic environment designed to support productivity and innovation.

Here are ten of the key benefits of choosing a co-working space:

  1. Become part of a community

Co-working spaces foster a sense of belonging by unifying individuals from differing industries. This sense of community can help individuals feel a connection in the workplace, bringing joy to their work life.

  • Opportunities to network

Exposure to a community increases networking opportunities exponentially. Community events at WorkWell encourage our members to build on their meaningful professional relationships and professional growth.

  • Access to easily collaborate

Similarly, to be able to network and feel a sense of community, a co-working space creates more opportunities for collaboration. This can apply both internally and internally. Whether it’s brainstorming as a team in the communal space, or teaming up with someone new.

  • A cost-effective office renting solution

Reduce the overall price of renting office space by merging all of the costs into one flat fee! This eliminates the fuss around paying lots of smaller bills, streamlining the payment process into one monthly bill. Additionally, it saves the time needed to set up and monitor finances by doing it all for you.

Rather than being trapped into the rigid 9/5 schedule, members can enjoy the freedom and autonomy to work where and when they want to. These spaces are designed to be accessed on a 24/7 basis, allowing people to create a schedule which fits their lifestyle.

  • Helps to inspire and boost creativity

The dynamic and open design of co-working spaces fosters creativity by providing an environment that is both comfortable and professional. Surrounded by innovation and collaboration, you’ll find it easier to think outside of the box and stay motivated.

  • Access to essential amenities

Co-working is all about making work easier and better for the individual, and the immediate ability to access amenities does just that! Whether it’s hopping onto a solid Wi-Fi, or enjoying a cup of tea, members can rest knowing they have easy access to take the stress out of your day and help you focus on what matters.

  • Provides a legitimate workspace – A professional address and environment 

Establishing credibility is critical in the business world of today, and a co-working space can be more than just a desk for a business. It’ll give businesses a physical professional address which has the option to hire meeting room space, making it easier to impress clients. Opening the door to registering on Google as a business aiding SEO effort.

  • Minimises isolation and loneliness

Those who are free-lance or self-employed will attest that it can get a little bit lonely, that’s where co-working spaces can help! Co-working spaces eliminate the problem by creating a community for members to become a part of, improving the well-being of individuals and making work both fulfilling and enjoyable.

  1. Creating work-life balance

Separating work and home life is essential for maintaining a healthy balance.  A co-working space in particular provides a professional environment outside of the home, separating the two and making it easier for people to make the distinction between work life and home life.

Here at WorkWell, we make achieving a work-life balance effortless. Whether it’s setting up in a co-working space for the day at a dedicated zone, or making use of the Zoom pods – we make sure member have a space that caters to their needs.

If you’re interested in setting yourself up in one of our fantastic co-working spaces in Leeds or Harrogate, don’t hesitate to contact us.

5 signs you’re ready to leave the home office

WorkWell on July 16, 2024

A home office — no more getting up at 6 am, no more commuting, no more traffic jams, no more office politics.

It sounds ideal to most people, but after a while, things can start to change, and one realises that perhaps their having a home office is becoming less and less a good idea. Below are several signs that it’s time to move on and change to a new office environment:

You’re afraid you’re not making a good professional impression.

No matter how much you spruce up your home office, you still may feel uneasy or unprofessional inviting clients to your home to discuss work. Having a professional business address is an important step in building the confidence and success to expand and improve one’s company image.

You’re becoming less productive

In the beginning, you were so excited about being able to work in the relaxed atmosphere of your home; working from the sofa, having the stereo on, being free to take as few or as many breaks as you want. But there comes a time when things get too relaxed and you find yourself getting less and less done each day. This is the time to move on.

You’re feeling lonely

The idea of a quiet space for yourself to get work done sounded ideal initially. But as you get into it, you discover that there was a social aspect to an office that you now miss. Choosing a co-working serviced office space is a perfect remedy for this, as it gives you the chance to work alongside like-minded small business owners. Hey it might even allow you to do some networking.

You can’t achieve a good work-life balance

One advantage of working in an office is that when you finish work, you leave the office behind and get some real downtime at home. When your home is your office, you can never get a real clean break from it, and sooner or later it will start to take over your life, and you’ll find it harder and harder to relax at home.

You’re ready to hire

Business is booming and you need to take on staff to help out. You could allow them to work from their own homes, but in fact working in an office with them allows you to train them more efficiently and build up a closer working relationship. An office space with more people in also becomes a stronger ideas zone.

Are you currently working from home? Perhaps you’re already experiencing some or all of the above. Let us know your experiences and perhaps WorkWell can offer the solution you need.

Questions to ask before you begin co-working : What exactly do I get?!

WorkWell on July 16, 2024

Hot desking FAQs: What exactly is included?

You’ve heard of it, your friends are enthusiastically raving about it, you fancy trying it but you’re unsure what exactly co-working  and hot-desking are. Put simply, it is a style of work which involves working in a shared environment. The shared office space is typically an office which comprises of independent activity and unlike a ‘conventional’ office, those working are not typically employed by the same organisation.

Okay, so you get the general gist of this modern working phenomenon, but you want to know what exactly is involved when you settle down to work.

Fortunately help is at hand. In order for you to comprehensively understanding what flexible office space entails take a look at our following guide to what exactly is included when you take the plunge into the increasingly popular world of co-working.

A desk

The most basic element of a hot-desking package includes the member getting his or her own desk. As Forbes writes: “People don’t want to work in tiny cubicles anymore.”

Instead of jostling for room in a coffee shop, co-workers get their own workstation that gives them ample room to spread out and make the most of their individual working space.

Office furniture

Of course, you can’t have a desk without a chair to sit on! Co-working centres do, of course, provide members with a chair. Unlike many ‘conventional’ offices, which are not well known for providing employees with the most comfortable of furniture, many of the higher-end co-working centres, such as WorkWell, stock only the highest quality of office furniture.

The Internet

The internet has single-handedly provided people with new ways of working. With the World Wide Web spurning remote working initiatives and improved access to business applications, it stands to reason that the internet is an imperative feature of co-working offices.

For the remote worker, having access to quick Wi-Fi can make their working day considerably more productive. Consequently, co-working centres make ultra-rapid Wi-Fi an inherent part of their co-working packages.

On-site IT support

When you are working independently, if you are not what you’d consider to be something of an IT whizz, a breakdown in telecommunication can be catastrophic. This is when co-working centres, which have IT support at the ready, can prove invaluable.

Aside from ultra-quick Wi-Fi, many of the higher-quality co-working centres, such as  WorkWell, include onsite IT support. If your equipment or data fails you, all is not necessarily lost.

As Liz Elam, founder of LinkCoworking, told Forbes:

“Entrepreneurs who are trying to work out of their home struggle with isolation. Co-working allows them to have a built-in support system – and that in itself is priceless.”

Refreshments

How many times have you gone downstairs to make a much-needed cup of tea when working from home, only to find there are no teabags left! As the Huffington Post writes, having a constant flow of information can make you understandably agitated. Workers are encouraged to take regular breaks away from their computers in order to reduce stress levels and improve productivity.

In fact, apps are now even available, such as Google Chrome’s Take A Break, in which a small icon flashes every 15 minutes as a reminder for you to stop surfing and go and have a drink.

Though we have to admit, going to make a drink only to find there is no tea or coffee available will not do our anxiety levels any favours.

In shared offices, this less than favourable scenario is unlikely to occur. As the likes of WorkWell co-working offices always have a well-stocked kitchen. At WorkWell you can even forget about cheap instant coffee as our co-workers have the luxury of being able to have as much freshly brewed coffee as they want in a day!

Temperature control

There have been numerous studies carried out to determine the impact the air temperature of an office has on employee productivity. It is widely agreed that an optimal office temperature should be between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius.

Regulating the temperature in a homeworking environment so that it’s warm in the winter and cool in the summer can cost an independent worker a significant sum each year. Most co-working centres include total temperature control, meaning you can enjoy working in the ideal temperature all year round.

And the extras…

Phones

For an additional cost that is not included in the co-working membership packages, co-workers can have their own phone line. Some co-working centres will provide a landline number for your business. This number can be forwarded to your mobile number of to a personalised voicemail.

Meeting rooms

As home offices and coffee shops rarely have enough space to swing a cat let alone invite clients, colleagues or potential clients over for a meeting, many remote working set-ups lack the ‘professionalism’ of an office.

This is where co-working offices can help give you and your business a professional edge. For an additional cost, co-workers can book to use a comfortable meeting room which includes all the latest presentation and conferencing facilities.

When you consider you’ll have access to ultra-rapid Wi-Fi, a built-in support system, top-quality office furniture, year-round temperature control, a potential landline number and a well-facilitated meeting room at your disposal, co-working in Leeds memberships can be a cost-effective way to give your business a boost in the right direction.

Want to try coworking in Leeds or Harrogate? Let us know! Get in touch with me and try us for a week.