Great spaces are a leading indicator of great workplaces.
Designing spaces that enable peak performance goes beyond offering rising desks and personal offices. High performers thrive in carefully designed environments that foster deep focus, collaboration, creativity, and mental and physical well-being.
Gensler Research, an industry leader in understanding workers needs for facilities and building locations, has identified 16 different areas to consider in your workplace that contribute to a feeling of positivity among employees and learners.
Those feelings of positivity, they found, contribute to reduced employee turnover and to the type of productivity that can ensure business success.
A good workplace is optimized to effectively support all five work modes: working alone, working with others in-person, working with others virtually, learning, and socializing. These serve as fundamental design factors that support the full spectrum of work. - Gensler Workplace Study 2024
By integrating at least 10 of these 16 essential spaces into your office or school, you can start to attract and retain top talent, empower innovation, and crush the profit goals your organization has for 2025 and beyond.
Let’s explore why these spaces matter, and how they can transform the culture and effectiveness of your organization’s environment.
1. Project/Team Rooms: Collaborative Spaces
connecTABLES by Global Furniture Group allows your team to reconfigure their collaboration space.
Takeaway: High-performing teams need appropriate, intentionally designed collaborative spaces to innovate and align effectively.
Project and team rooms are dedicated areas where cross-functional or sprint teams can gather to brainstorm, strategize, and execute projects with precision.
These spaces offer flexibility, often featuring mobile whiteboards, modular furniture, and technology integration that supports both in-person and hybrid meetings. By centralizing resources in an adaptable environment, team members can engage deeply, align on goals, and co-create solutions without distraction.
This setup minimizes downtime caused by location hopping and strengthens cohesion among participants, turning collaboration into a seamless, productive experience.
2. Outdoor Workspaces: Bringing Nature to the Office
Cortina by Via Seating provides durable, easily cleanable outdoor seating solutions - unlocking outdoor spaces.
Takeaway: Access to outdoor workspaces boosts creativity, reduces stress, and improves mood.
Outdoor workspaces connect employees with nature - we could all use more fresh air, sunlight, and greenery to rejuvenate the mind and body.
Examples include: rooftop terraces, garden courtyards, or simple patios with some seating and tables. These spaces provide a much needed change of scenery that fosters fresh perspectives on challenging tasks.
Studies show that exposure to natural elements can lower stress hormones, enhance creative thinking, and support mental health. Outdoor areas also serve as casual meeting points for spontaneous idea-sharing, fostering a positive organizational culture built around wellness and innovation.
3. Work Cafés: Social Hubs for Productivity
Avelina by Arcadia Contract can elevate a space with cafe height tables and stools.
Takeaway: Combining work with leisure drives innovation and strengthens social connections, leading to more cohesive teams.
Work cafés blend the functionality of a workspace with the relaxed ambiance of a café, creating an inviting environment for informal meetings, networking, or solo work.
These spaces often include comfortable seating, open layouts, and access to coffee and other snacks, fostering a culture where people feel like they belong and are appreciated
By breaking away from rigid desk setups, work cafés encourage more fluid social interactions and spur a feeling of warmth. Whether employees need a quiet moment to reflect or a place to connect over coffee, these hubs make work feel more human and energized.
4. Focus Rooms: Spaces for Deep Work
The Mute Box by Artopex provides a free standing space for focus or confidential meetings.
Takeaway: High achievers require distraction-free environments for extended periods of solo work.
Focus rooms provide individuals with a quiet, private space to work on complex tasks that demand deep concentration.
Designed to minimize noise and visual distractions, these rooms can be equipped with soundproofing, ergonomic seating, and subtle lighting to optimize focus. In a world of constant notifications and open-plan offices, these sanctuaries for concentrated effort can make the difference between good work and great work.
Employees and learners can use these spaces for strategic thinking, problem-solving, and solo creative pursuits, and can reliably complete aggressive deadlines without overwhelming stress.
5. Innovation Hubs: Where Ideas Flourish
Open floor plan for innovation by Artopex
Takeaway: Dedicated spaces for experimentation bring ideas out of people and foster competition.
Innovation hubs are purpose-built to spark creativity and idea generation. They typically include flexible furniture, interactive tech displays, prototyping tools, and collaborative zones that invite brainstorming and rapid iteration.
By providing employees with the resources to experiment freely, organizations cultivate a culture of exploration and more reliably bring new initiatives to the forefront.
These hubs accelerate innovation cycles, ensuring the company remains agile and responsive to change. For many organizations, innovation hubs can become the birthplace of new services, products, or internal improvements that redefine success.
6. Rest/Nap Spaces: A Key to Workplace Wellness
This setup by Arcadia Contract provides a quiet space for rest and relaxation.
Takeaway: Encouraging restorative breaks reduces burnout and promotes mental wellbeing.
Rest and nap spaces offer a dedicated environment for employees to recharge during the day.
With comfortable seating, dim lighting, and calming décor, these rooms provide a break from a busy work routine, supporting mental health and reducing fatigue.
Studies have shown that short naps can boost memory, creativity, and cognitive function, making employees more effective upon return to their tasks. By prioritizing rest, organizations demonstrate a commitment to employee well-being and foster a culture that values sustainable contribution.
7. Libraries: Quiet Spaces for Learning and Knowledge Sharing
KI has options for colorful and comfortable libraries
Takeaway: Knowledge spaces prioritize self-improvement and informed decisions.
Libraries within corporate or educational settings are vital for employees and learners seeking uninterrupted time to learn, conduct research, or collaborate quietly.
Stocked with industry resources, digital tools, and quiet workstations, these spaces empower self-directed learning and professional development.
As centers of knowledge sharing, libraries also enable deep dives into relevant subjects and promote cross-departmental collaboration, ultimately leading to more informed decisions and innovative solutions.
8. Phone Rooms: Privacy in Open Workplaces
Acoustic Treatment by FI Interiors creates a quiet ambience with acoustic treatment for privacy and comfort.
Takeaway: Phone rooms provide a space to talk freely, without distracting others or worrying about privacy
With a movement toward open floor plans and collaborative spaces, offices have a need for dedicated privacy spaces, making phone rooms essential for confidential conversations, client calls, or focused virtual meetings.
These enclosed spaces reduce noise with intentional materials, ensure discretion, and provide a break from the visual stimuli of shared areas.
By creating a separate, secure place to handle phone calls or video meetings, organizations increase employee comfort and client trust while minimizing disruptions for everyone else.
9. Quiet/Tech-Free Zones: Disconnect to Reconnect
Contract Wall Solutions offers architectural wall solutions for room types of all kinds.
Takeaway: Unplugging regularly improves creativity, alertness, and mental health.
Tech-free zones offer employees a space to escape digital distractions and recalibrate their focus.
These areas invite quiet practices, giving people a place to work through the stresses of life.
As society becomes more tech-saturated, moments to disconnect become precious, leading to heightened self-awareness, stress reduction, and enhanced problem-solving capabilities.
By stepping away from screens and noise, high performers return to their tasks more centered and ready to rock.
10. Touchdown Workspaces: Flexibility in Motion
Tayco can give your space a feeling of adaptability and free movement.
Takeaway: Quick, adaptable spaces make it easy to grab a spot and work on the fly.
Touchdown workspaces are designed for brief use, catering to employees on the move, visitors, or those working in a hybrid capacity.
Equipped with power outlets, adjustable heights, and comfortable seating, these areas allow for quick check-ins, impromptu meetings, or focused work sessions.
By accommodating flexibility, touchdown spaces reduce friction in transitioning between different work modes, allowing for a change of pace or a quick pow-wow.
11. Reflection/Meditation Spaces: Prioritizing Mental Health
The Orsay Chair by Groupe Lacasse offers a comfortable, ergonomic option for meditation
Takeaway: Reflection spaces nurture mental clarity, focus, and resilience.
Meditation and reflection spaces provide an oasis for individuals seeking inner peace and focus amidst demanding schedules.
Whether used for mindfulness exercises, prayer, or quiet contemplation, these spaces feature thoughtful design elements and wall features, with dim lighting, soft music, and comfortable textures.
Companies that prioritize mental health demonstrate a commitment to their people’s holistic growth, cultivating a more resilient and engaged workforce.
12. Fitness Areas: Encouraging a Healthy Balance
Waterrower | Nohrd is a classy and functional setup for your space.
Takeaway: Fitness facilities provide amenities on site that would normally be difficult to access with a busy schedule.
On-site fitness centers or exercise rooms encourage employees to prioritize health and wellness.
We all know we should be getting more exercise for our mental and physical health.
Fitness spaces make staying active convenient, fostering a culture of health and work-life balance.
Employees who feel physically well experience fewer sick days, enhanced focus, and greater job satisfaction, driving improved outcomes and a sense of pride in the workplace.
Extra credit: Instead of promoting a weight loss challenge, give employees a benefit for consistency in their fitness pursuits.
13. Break Rooms/Lounges: Socializing and Unwinding
The Tailor Collection by Spec Furniture creates a community feel.
Takeaway: Break rooms reduce stress and foster informal collaboration.
Break rooms and lounges provide a relaxed environment where employees can take a mental break, catch up with colleagues, or enjoy refreshments.
Beyond their utility as casual spaces to unwind, these rooms support spontaneous conversations that create bonds with coworkers and counterparts.
When employees are encouraged to step away from their desks, they often return more motivated, fostering a healthier and more collaborative work environment.
14. Cafeterias: Nourishing Bodies and Minds
The Coby Apron table by Hi5 Tables provides multiple colors and finishes for an energetic cafeteria
Takeaway: On-site cafeterias bring people together over nutritious meals.
Remember the school lunch room? And that weird cardboard pizza? The cafeteria at school was always a place of fun and excitement.
Cafeterias offer comfortable, convenient access to healthy meals and snacks, saving time and reducing the need to leave the premises. An open concept, with tables and chairs of differing heights and sizes, encourages social interaction among colleagues from different departments, building stronger relationships and a sense of shared mission.
In educational settings, cafeterias promote a sense of community and ensure students are well-fed. In work settings? Being well-fed with nutritious options, and given a chance to talk with your friends will have much the same effect.
15. Maker Spaces: Hands-On Creativity
TechWorks by Safco is perfect for high traffic labs with durable finishes and tabletops
Takeaway: Maker spaces empower innovation through hands-on experimentation.
Maker spaces are creative labs where employees can build, prototype, and tinker with new ideas.
Equipped with tools, technology, and materials, these spaces give people the autonomy to test concepts, develop skills, and bring projects to life.
By fostering an environment of hands-on creativity, maker spaces accelerate learning, boost confidence, and open doors to unexpected breakthroughs.
16. Game Rooms: Balancing Work and Play
Allseating Zip In-Situation provides comfort and design while gaming.
Takeaway: Game rooms encourage stress relief and build team camaraderie.
Game rooms create a playful environment where employees and learners can relax, recharge, and bond with counterparts.
Ping-Pong and pool tables are for more than just that new tech company in NYC. They provide a much needed rest, and can promote friendly competition.
Game rooms also strengthen team relationships, helping individuals connect on a personal level. Companies that integrate fun into their culture create happier, more engaged employees.
Bringing it home
From collaboration hubs to quiet zones and fitness centers, each of these 16 spaces serves to attract high performers by addressing their unique needs for focus, innovation, and well-being.
By thoughtfully integrating these areas, organizations can build environments that inspire, energize, and retain the best talent, ultimately driving improved profitability and decreasing employee churn.
Tailoring spaces to the modern demands of work and learning helps ensure that your organization is positioned to grow sustainably, bringing in the best and brightest to support your goals.