Workplace design is about more than just where we work, it’s about how work happens. Too often it’s treated as a cosmetic update or a cost-driven exercise. But the real opportunity for organisations comes from treating it as a strategic tool to unlock value well beyond return on investment - by creating environments that support diverse workstyles and needs, including neurodiverse employees, so all employees can thrive.

✅ People first, not floorplans

Great workplace design starts with a vision in understanding how people really work, and what they need to thrive. Everyone performs their best work in different ways, so we must create inclusive environments that serve real needs. Quiet focus zones, tech-enabled meeting rooms, informal breakout areas, and flexible spaces are just some strategies that support wellbeing and allow all employees to perform at their best. One-size-fits-all doesn’t work anymore, and it never really did.

✅ Design for choice and change

Flexible layouts let businesses adapt as teams, tech, and workstyles evolve. Flexibility in layout, function, and use allows businesses to scale and shift without constant redesign. Choice is powerful: giving employees options - whether quiet low-stimulation spaces or collaborative zones - can make all the difference, particularly for neurodiverse employees. And for everyone, it signals that their wellbeing and productivity matter.

✅ Engage project managers early

Working with project managers to understand how your accommodation strategy translates into operational opportunity by spotting the gaps between what’s aspirational and what’s practical. By engaging project managers early, clients can unlock deeper strategic value, helping shape a realistic, well-rounded brief that balances spatial needs, technology, compliance, and long-term use. They can advocate for engagement with end-users, flag potential risks, and help align workplace goals with broader business drivers.

The best workplaces reflect company values, support the ways people work, and evolve over time. Done well, they become one of the most powerful levers for performance, culture, and inclusion an organisation can invest in.

Simon Hendon

Project Director
Simon is a seasoned project leader with 20 years’ experience across contractor and client-side roles. Known for his strategic mindset, strong communication, and stakeholder engagement, he delivers complex workplace, commercial, and industrial projects. His commercial acumen and relationship-driven approach ensure client objectives are met through collaboration, detail, and big-picture thinking.

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