Is the shift from workspace to lifespace the future for companies?
Can you imagine an office where work is harmoniously combined with private life? A place that caters to both our professional and personal needs, creating an environment that fosters growth, creativity and mental well-being. This is a reality that is becoming more and more common in the labour market. Today, the office is part of the organisation’s identity and an important asset in attracting and retaining the best talent in the market. The availability of hybrid working, co-working centres or hot desks increases the attractiveness of the organisation. There is a shift in the concept of the traditional workplace and away from the model of sitting for eight hours exclusively at one’s desk. Instead, spaces are being created that combine the professional and private spheres, where employees are happy to carry out their daily duties, but also simply enjoy being there.
How the office is arranged – part of a strategy to attract the best talent
Gone are the days when the office was seen solely as a place where people came to perform their duties and its arrangement was considered a secondary element. Today, office space design is an important element in the process of building an effective employer brand. For many candidates, the look and design of the workplace is important for recruitment.
According to the expert
Employers are increasingly realising that it is impossible to maintain efficiency at the highest level in a static position, so it is important to provide multipurpose areas and control noise. Companies are recognising that modern office spaces cannot be filled with just workstations, even if they come with height-adjustable desks. They should be spaces that can inspire, motivate and improve staff satisfaction
– says Eliza Donek, Product Manager at Mikomax.
The space reflects the culture and values of the organisation and influences the perception of the company by both current and potential employees. A modern office design that takes into account the needs of different people, such as collaborative spaces, quiet areas for concentration or relaxation zones, shows that the company values and respects people and cares about their well-being, in line with the concept of well-being.
A lifespace office… what kind of workplace is it?
The life space office is not just another interior design fad – it is a new space management philosophy that involves harmonious diversity. Rather than separating work from other activities, this concept brings these spheres together and enables a smooth transition between them. A life space office is defined not only by physical elements such as open spaces, relaxation areas or areas for teamwork, but above all by an atmosphere that fosters creativity, development and a sense of belonging.
Designing a life space office is as much a matter of arranging the space as it is of understanding that work is not only about duties and tasks, but also about passions, inspiration and the opportunity for self-fulfillment. In companies that have opted for this interior design concept, people can work in shared zones where exchanging ideas and co-creating projects are comfortable, but also use spaces designed for relaxation, games or studying. In this way, the life space office becomes a place where the employee not only performs his or her tasks, but also lives – participating in various activities, relaxing and even developing their passions.
Why consider swapping workspace for lifespace?
With the constant changes in the labour market, the increasing emphasis on work-life balance and the growing role of creativity and innovation, the switch from workspace to life space is even becoming a necessity. This approach has the potential to bring long-term benefits to companies, such as maintaining an engaged, satisfied workforce and a competitive edge in a rapidly changing labour market.
The life space concept focuses on flexibility, which allows the office space to continually adapt to the changing needs of employees. This gives you the freedom to modify the configuration of the furniture to meet both your individual needs and the requirements of your team. Furthermore, it emphasises the importance of work-life balance, offering spaces that promote both focus and relaxation.
What benefits does the life space concept bring to companies?
Introducing the life space concept into the working environment can bring a number of significant benefits to organisations; it:
- attracts and retains talent – in this day and age, where competition for the most talented employees in the market and gaining a competitive advantage is challenging, an attractive and inspiring workplace can be a decisive factor.
- fosters creativity and innovation – spaces designed with staff comfort and well-being in mind foster integration, collaboration and creative thinking. This means new ideas, innovative solutions and, ultimately, better quality work.
- supports healthy lifestyles and employee well-being – translating into lower stress levels, less sickness absence and higher productivity. Employees who feel that their needs are taken into account and that they are valued will be more engaged and motivated to make an effort.
- influences a company’s reputation in the eyes of employees, customers and business partners – organisations that take care to create a modern, inspiring workplace are seen as innovative in the face of market changes, caring about their employees and willing to invest in order to improve their comfort at work.
Is life space a solution for every company?
Although the life space concept has many benefits, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for every company. Whether or not switching from workspace to life space will be beneficial depends on a number of factors, including industry specifics and organisational culture, as well as individual employee needs and expectations. It is important for each organisation to make its own assessment and decide whether and how the concept can support its objectives and strategy. With the right approach, a workplace with arranged informal spaces can break up the daily routine of employees, promote relaxed communication and build a good atmosphere. However, this requires tailoring and taking into account the specific conditions of the company in question.
We recommend reading the article: What makes a workplace the dream office?, which will help answer the question of what setups are currently the most popular.
The life space office – the end of open spaces as we know them
The life space concept treats the office as a space that responds to the changing needs of employees throughout the day as a result of the different tasks they perform. It takes into account the preferences of people with different temperaments and working styles. Typical open spaces with desks placed close together, and associated with noise and a lack of privacy, are changing into offices divided into smaller spaces. What’s more, the boundary between the different zones is blurred, allowing employees to move freely and work or rest when they need to.
Controlling noise
The key to success in creating a modern life space is to bring noise under control, which translates into greater comfort and better focus. Solutions such as Soniq mobile acoustic walls play an important role here, enabling the creation of dynamic, tailor-made work zones, both individual and collaborative. This system, with its rollers mounted in the stabilising feet and perpendicular or parallel connection options, provides quick reorganisation of the space, creating temporary zones for focused work or isolating areas for team discussions from the rest of the open space. In addition, height-adjustable ergonomic desks can be placed next to free-standing acoustic Tree walls, which, thanks to their unique form and high sound absorption efficiency, provide not only a practical but also an aesthetically pleasing solution for offices. They allow space to be shared so that people with different personalities work better, and promote efficiency and well-being.
Supporting effective communication in common areas
The life space office closes the chapter on traditional open-plan offices, which were often places with a lot of hustle and bustle, confusion and impeded information transfer due to having workstations set up next to each other. The solution is not to ensure absolute silence, but to foster communication in communal areas and, at the same time, offer places for quiet when necessary. Diversity and the consideration of employee preferences are important, and the right equipment is key to achieving this. Packman armchairs and sofas placed in an open space, relaxation or entertainment area, thanks to their innovative design, will provide a comfortable place to relax while allowing for free conversation and the exchange of ideas. They are ideal for informal meetings, brainstorming sessions or simply a coffee break.
Ergonomics of the working environment
A key element of changing open space to support people’s needs is ensuring that ergonomic workstations are in place so that employees can perform daily tasks in comfort. It is an expression of concern for the health and well-being of staff. It is important to be able to adapt the workstation to the individual needs and preferences of the employee. This is where sit-stand desks come to the fore, providing a healthy balance between standing and sitting and encouraging movement. They will also work well within the hot desk concept where multiple people share the same workstation.
An interesting proposition is Stand Up R manually adjustable desks, which, thanks to an innovative mechanism, allow you to change the height quickly, almost without taking your hands off your work. This gives the employee more control over his or her working environment, and the frequent change of position prevents back problems and improves overall well-being. On the other hand, the Balance desk with its electric adjustment, sets the top at the optimum level at any given time with the push of a button. A dedicated app allows you to remember your favourite settings and reminds you to change your position.
Support for work from any spot in the office
This new way of organising office space, allows employees to choose not only their location but also their working conditions, adapting them to their current tasks and needs. A key element of this innovative approach is modular furniture in communal areas. Ligo modular cubes allow the space to be adapted quickly and easily to the changing needs of the team. With Ligo, the office ceases to be static and becomes a dynamic space capable of meeting even the most demanding challenges of today’s business world.
A space full of natural greenery
Life space opens the door to a world where the workstation becomes part of a living, breathing space. Plants are not just for decoration – they are an element that affects the atmosphere and the well-being of employees. Flowers or even fountains create an amazing backdrop to daily office tasks and bring a touch of nature to the urban office landscape. This green oasis improves air quality, reduces stress and influences job satisfaction.
Life space office design – unconventional products, good quality materials and user-adapted solutions
Life space offices push the boundaries of traditional office aesthetics by introducing unconventional elements into the workplace, such as tabletop football, hammocks or exercise equipment. It is important to select solutions that are not only unique in design, but also functional and responsive to the needs of today’s workforce. Good quality materials with ecological origins allow creation of an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly space. Solutions that can be tailored to an employee’s individual needs and preferences, such as adjustable desks or modular furniture, offer key support in the performance of duties. The design of life space offices reflects the changing image of modern work – it is dynamic, flexible and human centred.
Are you planning to transform a traditional open space into a life space?
