Why human-centric office design?

Human-centred office design – tl;dr

• Human Centred Design stands out from other approaches, such as agile, functional, and biophilic design, by focusing on empathy to understand and address employees’ psychological, emotional, and intellectual needs. It aims to foster a work environment where individuals feel fully supported, appreciated, and prepared for optimal performance.
• Drawing on fields such as design thinking, ergonomics, and human factors, the human-centric approach to workspace design developed in the 1980s and 1990s. With its comprehensive prioritisation of user experience and system interconnectivity, it has become key to promoting innovation, lowering turnover, and creating a supportive workspace for diverse work styles within the hybrid work environment.
• Businesses are adopting a human-centred approach to office design to meet the evolving employee expectations regarding well-being, flexibility, and inclusivity. Adaptable, sensory-friendly workspaces and technology integration are essential components of a work environment that supports employee comfort and daily performance.

What does human-centric design refer to?

Unlike functional, biophilic, and agile workplace designs, human-centred design (HCD) stands out by prioritising deep understanding of individuals and empathy for the psychological elements of their work environment. In a nutshell, it puts people first.

Where did the concept of Human Centred Design originate?

HCD has its origins in design thinking, ergonomics, and other user-focused frameworks ranging from psychology to engineering. Moreover, the emergence of Human Centred Design in the 1980s and 1990s was particularly influenced by human factors and ergonomics.

Why are businesses implementing human-centric design?

The approach promises a more harmonious and enjoyable work setting. And more satisfied, healthier, and more productive employees can directly influence a company’s bottom line. Let’s take a closer look at how a human-centric approach to office design can generate positive results…

Strategic advantage achieved through enhanced employee engagement…

With its focus on individuality, Human Centric Design accommodates a variety of work styles. Enhanced employee engagement naturally contributes to greater productivity and innovation. When individuals feel supported and valued, they are more likely to remain with their employer, decreasing turnover costs and preserving organisational expertise.

A direct response to various generational expectations…

Human Centric Design is a promising approach, with its emphasis on adaptability, inclusivity, and flexibility, all of which contribute to a work environment that accommodates a broad range of preferences. In a world of growing diversity, this approach makes a real difference.

• Human-centric office designs integrate modular and flexible spaces, allowing for ad-hoc reconfiguration to accommodate various work styles. This adaptability appeals not only to Millennials and Gen Z, who demonstrate a strong preference for collaborative, open-plan areas, but also to Baby Boomers or Gen X, who prioritise quiet workspaces for focused work.
• As for younger generations, they expect a smooth integration of technology, such as smart desks, charging ports, and virtual meeting areas. Human Centric Design incorporates these features into the office space, while outdated design approaches often view technology as merely an add-on.
• Millennials and Generation Z appreciate a well-being-oriented design, based on the principles of ergonomics, biophilia, and relaxation. While a human-centric framework treats these elements as essential, rather than complementary, one-size-fits-all designs may compromise well-being in favour of workspace efficiency.
• Human-centric designs leverage zoning to offer both open-plan collaborative spaces and self-contained booths for focused work. However, rigid organisational structures may favour one over the other, causing tensions among groups. That is why, a combination of booths and multi-functional space dividers serves as an ideal solution.

What elements define a human-centred workspace?

Let’s explore the key concepts introduced by Don Norman, a researcher and professor who coined and popularised the notion of “human-centred design” in 1988.

• Affordances & Signifiers. Design must explicitly indicate how an object or space should be used. In office environments, this involves creating workspaces where the purpose – whether for teamwork, relaxation, or focus – can be immediately recognisable through cues such as furniture arrangement and lighting.
• Feedback Loops. Feedback is an essential part of design, ensuring that users understand how their actions align with the intended effect. In the workspace, this includes incorporating user-friendly controls for environmental systems, such as lighting, acoustics, and temperature. It’s important for employees to be able to seamlessly adjust settings to suit their preferences.
• Error Prevention & Recovery. Effective design minimises the risk of errors and ensures easy recovery if mistakes occur. In the office, this means offering ergonomic setups that help avoid strain injuries, as well as adaptable layouts allowing for seamless reconfiguration without causing unnecessary disruption.
• Usability. User-friendly designs work best. Workspaces also benefit from minimising complexity. Intuitive wayfinding and convenient entry points for individuals with diverse physical and mental abilities are essential.

So, how can these concepts be put into practice to benefit hybrid work environments and their employees?

Flexible work modes and solutions, such as office booths, to foster effective communication.

The key is to meet workers where they are by embracing their preferences and creating work environments that enhance both their performance and well-being without undermining autonomy.

Improving relationships – the primary challenge of remote work.

A human-centric office fosters connection among employees, no matter where they are located. This includes providing collaborative areas for on-site workers – spacious, acoustic break rooms, such as hushFree.L – and virtual interaction hubs for remote employees, such as video call pods.

Physical and mental well-being are of utmost importance.

A human-centred approach prioritises employee well-being and comfort, placing them at the core of the design. It recognises that healthy, satisfied employees perform better in every respect. Every work environment should adapt to and support workers’ well-being, ensuring they feel valued and accommodated.

Human-centred office design honours (and actively promotes) diversity.

It fosters an inclusive culture by responding to challenges faced by underrepresented groups. This encompasses fair recruitment practices, diversity training, accessible workspace design, and open communication. It’s essential to create a sensory-friendly work environment with acoustically designed workspaces, such as booths, serving as strategic solutions.

Human-centred design exerts a broad and powerful influence on the workspace.

By prioritising employees’ needs and experiences, this sophisticated design approach links abstract ideals of meaning and unity with tangible results in productivity and innovation. Strategically implemented, it can influence both the way work is performed, and the reasons behind its success.

Introduce empathy into the workspace to provide employees with the gift of cognitive comfort.

It’s easy to recognise when a workspace is designed with a genuine human focus. Individuals’ cognitive needs are addressed by creating zones tailored to diverse work and social functions. Both natural light and greenery help reduce tension, alleviate exhaustion and foster a positive environment. Effective acoustic management and the incorporation of booths, such as hushFree, allows to minimise distractions, creating an atmosphere of relaxed focus. All in all, it boils down to providing control and comfort

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

In a workspace designed with human needs and aspirations in mind, every element reflects a deep understanding of employees’ emotional and psychological parameters. As a result, commitment to the team’s well-being is clearly visible, and loyalty becomes evident.

Employee satisfaction and loyalty flourish when the office flourishes.

When workspace design prioritises employees, trust and mutual respect thrive. Indeed, an office strategically tailored to their individual qualities fosters organisational commitment. Moreover, a workplace that offers spaces for genuine connection is one that employees can take pride in.

Human Centred Design has the most profound impact on the workspace from a sensory perspective.

One of the most blatant signs of a human-centred design in the office is its sensory-friendly features. Ultimately, people are sensory beings, deeply influenced by every aspect of their surrounding environment.

Let’s consider acoustics. Does the space radiate tranquility, with effective soundproofing and harmonious ambient noise? Or does it seem disorganised and overwhelming? How about lighting? Does it align with the natural daylight cycle to support employees’ circadian rhythms? Does it provide stimulating task lighting or is it harsh and bright, contributing to strain and tension? Control over temperature is crucial, as are the choices of colours, textures, and smells, all of which impact workers’ morale and concentration. When these sensory elements are in harmony with employees’ needs, the work environment not only supports productivity but also demonstrates a genuine commitment to overall well-being. Moreover, sensory-friendliness is essential to addressing the needs of neurodivergent employees, who are often more sensitive to various stimuli. In short, this is the key to creating an inclusive office

– says Mateusz Barczyk, Senior Brand Manager, Hushoffice.

HushFree booths – authentic human-centric sub-spaces within the open-plan layout.

While the open-plan workspace is communal and subject to various stimuli, collaborative pods, such as hushFree.M, provide self-contained spaces shielded from the office hubbub. With their optimal size, atmosphere, functionality, and acoustics, they truly hit the mark as an effective element of human-centric design.

Every workspace should offer private sub-spaces that support the human potential for innovation.

Creativity draws on introspection and mental focus. Human-centric design meets our creative needs by providing key elements: peace and quiet to think, calm to become creative, and privacy to explore. Available in various sizes, hushFree booths are top-notch, wonderfully comfortable environments that effectively address these needs.

Humanising the workplace places people at its heart.

This is a strategic approach that provides working conditions supporting both employee well-being and job satisfaction. Ultimately, it’s the people who realise ideas, solve complex problems, and drive progress, making human-centred design not just a lofty philosophy, but a genuine necessity.

Human centred office design – tl;dr

• Human Centred Design stands out from other approaches, such as agile, functional, and biophilic design, by focusing on empathy to understand and address employees’ psychological, emotional, and intellectual needs. It aims to foster a work environment where individuals feel fully supported, appreciated, and prepared for optimal performance.
• Drawing on fields such as design thinking, ergonomics, and human factors, the human-centric approach to workspace design developed in the 1980s and 1990s. With its comprehensive prioritisation of user experience and system interconnectivity, it has become key to promoting innovation, lowering turnover, and creating a supportive workspace for diverse work styles within the hybrid work environment.
• Businesses are adopting a human-centred approach to office design to meet the evolving employee expectations regarding well-being, flexibility, and inclusivity. Adaptable, sensory-friendly workspaces and technology integration are essential components of a work environment that supports employee comfort and daily performance.

Human-centric office design – frequently asked questions

What’s the idea behind human-centric office design?

Human-centric office design focuses on an in-depth analysis of employee needs, work environment, and challenges before designing a workspace. By prioritising employees and their needs, this approach can help generate solutions that are both functional and meaningful.

What is the difference between Human Centred Design and other design approaches?

While other design approaches aim to ensure overall functionality or universal appeal, Human Centred Design caters to employees’ diverse needs, preferences, and objectives.

How can I introduce a more human-centric design into my workspace?

Empathy and an in-depth understanding of workers’ needs are fundamental elements of Human Centred Design (HCD). Implementing an empathy-based office design allows you to intentionally craft every element – from private workspaces, such as hushFree booths to collaborative zones – to foster a comfortable, productive, and supportive work environment.