Transforming the work experience through emotion-based spaces

Why focus on emotions?

Like it or lump it, we know that emotions directly impact our day-to-day work. People’s emotions and energy levels fluctuate, so an ideal office environment should adapt to these changes throughout the day. By offering versatile and flexible spaces, companies can support employees when they need to focus and provide places to relax when they need a break.

This article focuses on three key aspects to consider when creating an inclusive, people-centric workplace that puts employee emotions at its core.

This includes:

1. Spaces created for changing emotional needs
2. The evolving approach to talent attraction and retention
3. Continuous technological empowerment

1. Spaces designed for changing emotional needs

As ways of working continue to diversify, particularly with the rise of remote and hybrid work, this has significantly impacted the layout and functionality of office spaces. These changes are not only practical but also closely tied to employees’ emotional needs.

• Versatile spaces to meet emotional needs
  Modern workplaces are moving beyond traditional conference rooms and focus zones to embrace environments that cater to emotional wellbeing. Flexible spaces like work cafes are becoming more common, increasing by 4%. These versatile areas are designed to support various emotional needs, providing environments for work, socialising and unwinding.
• Less open desk areas, more enclosed meeting rooms
  Open desk areas may lead to distractions, affecting employees who need a quiet environment for deep work. Studies show that excessive noise and interruptions can reduce job satisfaction and impact emotional wellbeing. By increasing enclosed meeting rooms, we provide more private and quiet workspaces. Additionally, these rooms can be flexibly converted to personal offices, enhancing spatial flexibility.
• More wellness spaces, less storage
  Companies are realising that extensive storage spaces are not the best use of office space. Instead, more space is being allocated to enhance employee welfare, such as meditation rooms and recreational areas that support mental and physical wellbeing.

Beyond changes in spatial layout, deepening brand strategies is equally crucial. By creating memorable and integrated brand experiences, businesses can celebrate their people and culture.

2. The evolving approach to talent attraction and retention

In today’s corporate environment, attracting and retaining talent has become ever more complex. As Gen Z moves into a majority in the workforce, their expectations extend beyond salary and benefits to emotional experiences and personal growth.

• Recognising the diversity of talent and their needs
  Companies are increasingly aware of the importance of creating inclusive environments that cater to a wide range of employee needs. For example, some people may thrive in open and social work environments, while others need quieter, more private spaces to concentrate. Diverse space types can better meet the needs of different employees, adding emotional value.
• Segmentation of wellness facilities
  Companies are also focusing more on wellness facilities, expanding from traditional gyms and yoga rooms to nap pods, screening rooms and even pet-friendly spaces. This trend not only reflects increased investment in employee welfare but also shows that companies are considering employees’ emotional and personalised mental and physical needs when creating office spaces.

3. Continuous technological empowerment

Technological advancements now enable us to use data to fine-tune elements that affect our emotions and improve overall comfort in the workplace.

• Making emotions visible using a digital twin
  Although emotions are inherently invisible, factors like lighting, sound and temperature in the environment can directly affect them. Using digital twin technology, we can monitor key environmental indicators in office spaces, such as air quality, light intensity and noise levels. This data helps us assess comfort levels in specific spaces and adjust the environment accordingly to support wellbeing and efficiency.

Explore our Shanghai living lab in the video below to experience the emotional support of a tech-driven space.

• Nourishing emotions with technology
  Natural environments are proven to have a significant positive impact on human emotions. Within the physical constraints of office spaces, we often try to create a natural ambience by adding indoor plants. Now, with advancements in science and technology, we can create diverse natural experiences, for example, in meditation rooms. Using multi-sensory design, we can recreate the experience of being in a forest, at the beach, or by a waterfall. These immersive landscapes provide employees with a relaxing space to support emotional recovery after a stressful day.

Enhancing wellbeing through an emotion-driven workplace

As work styles rapidly change and new demands evolve, companies must rethink how to boost employee morale, support emotions and enable creativity. Creating emotion-driven workspaces means office design is no longer just about optimising physical layouts; it becomes a comprehensive strategy to enhance employee efficiency through positive emotional stimulation.

By blending rationality with sensitivity, from positioning to analysis, we help organisations clearly define their functional needs before design.

Looking to enhance your company’s office environment? Chat to our workspace strategy experts.