The modern workplace dilemma is not about forcing people back to the office, but about giving them a compelling reason to return. As Spaceful Workplace Strategist, Tica Masuku, explains in a recent article in The Age, the key to success lies in strategy.
Businesses often make the mistake of implementing short-term fixes without considering their long-term goals. They might react to low attendance by downsizing or adding superficial short-term fixes, like a ping-pong table, without considering what really works for their business. However, as Tica points out, these knee-jerk reactions often backfire, creating a less functional, and sometimes more stressful, environment. An effective office design must be built on a clear, strategic foundation that addresses the actual needs of the people who will use the space.
This is the principle that guided Spaceful’s design and build for Engineers Australia. The result is an office that embodies ‘topophilia,’ or the love of place. The design prioritises comfort and function with cosy corners, dedicated focus zones, and a distinct lack of sterile surfaces. By moving away from a one-size-fits-all fallacy and focusing on a strategic, human-centric approach, Spaceful helped Engineers Australia create a space that employees genuinely want to be in.
