More companies than ever are working in a hybrid work model.

Giving people the benefits of remote work while offering an attractive office for when in-person is valuable makes a lot of sense.

The demands for these offices are very different than when we were still coming in 9-to-5.

As Janet Pogue-McLaurin, the Global Director of Workplace Research at Gensler, told me recently, successful hybrid office design means having spaces that are “effective enough to get work done” while bringing “great workplace experience for people” at the same time. 

So when it comes to a well-designed hybrid office, what types of spaces do its employees need? 

I dug up the latest research and found that there are five space types that companies redesigning their offices for hybrid work offer:

1. Community Space
2. Quiet Focus Space
3. Wellbeing Space
4. Creative Space
5. Conference Space

Hybrid Office Space #1: Community Space

Community Space is a social space with plenty of seating for interaction, casual meetings, and informal gatherings, fostering team cohesion. According to hybrid work statistics, these spaces have become even more relevant when people only come to the offices a few days per week.

Former Slack SVP and Work Forward CEO Brian Elliott told me in our interview about Workplace Culture, that socializing is a major driver for people to be in the office, hence the need for spaces that support that:

"The primary drivers for those who want to come together with their teams regularly were socialization, relationship development, deeper collaboration, and mentorship." - Brian Elliott, Future Forum Cofounder, WSJ Best-Selling Author.

For an example, look no further than Atlassian, one of our favorite remote-first companies. It's new Melbourne location is dubbed a "connection hub" and designed more deeply connect its 480 remote employees.

This space emphasizes social interaction over traditional office setups, featuring only twelve desks to foster a more engaging environment. 

And it's an experiment, as with everything under Atlassian's "Team Anywhere" philosophy: the space was created in just a few weeks after coming up with the idea, much of the furniture is recycled, and the lease is for only 18 months.

So far, it's a success: the company reports that 38% of staff feel more connected, 24% more creative, and 20% more productive since utilizing the hub.

Space #2: Quiet Focus Space

There's nothing employees dread more than costly commutes to an office just to sit at their noisy desks taking Zoom calls or being overly stimulated while trying to get important work done. (Studies show information workers face distractions in a typical office environment every 10.5 minutes.)

To mitigate this, hybrid offices that have been designed over the past years have placed an emphasis on focus space, quiet spaces like soundproof booths and noise-canceling pods often made available via desk booking software.

As Gensler's Janet Pogue-McLaurin told FlexOS in an interview:

"The key reason people want to come into the office is really to focus on their work and get it done. And that entails working with others but also working alone. And so, how do we think about creating a high-performing workplace where people can actually get their work done." – Janet Pogue-McLaurin, Global Director of Workplace Research, Gensler

HOK's new hybrid offices showcase how to incorporate quite spaces well. Not only did they place quiet zones for concentrative, contemplative work far from public spaces, they additionally got their team involved in designing them:

"In Los Angeles, we hosted a staff competition to design the walls of our phone and focus rooms. The wild and vivid wall coverings showcase our people’s creativity and imagination." – HOK Case Study

Another great example is, Oliver Wyman which collaborated with TSK Group to design a luxurious, five-star hotel-inspired headquarters on Baker Street, London. Private workspaces in this office can easily be opened up for quick informal conversations:

Space #3: Wellbeing Space

The “The Great Resignation” trend shows that employees are increasingly looking for jobs that support their mental and emotional well-being.

To meet these needs, modern offices should evolve to include wellbeing spaces where employees can manage both work and personal life. In our always-connected world, achieving balance is more important than ever. While working from home and flexible schedules help, the office must keep pace if companies want to retain their top talent.

Top offices around the world are now creating opportunities for employees to reset, recharge, and refocus.

This approach benefits both employees and employers: finding this balance fosters greater engagement and work-life satisfaction, boosts productivity, and reduces absenteeism and sick days, ultimately lowering turnover rates. Providing employees with spaces to unwind can have a lasting, positive impact for everyone involved.

Space #4: Creative Space

Creative teams need flexible, friendly spaces that support collaboration. Multifunctional rooms with movable furniture allow quick reconfiguration for various activities, from displaying materials on large screens to note-taking and brainstorming.

Essential tools like flip charts, dry-erase surfaces, and spacious tables enhance idea-sharing. Informal areas with vibrant decor, whiteboards, and high-top seating also help spark creativity.

Space #5: Collaboration Space

Jennie Rogerson, Global Head of People at Canva, noted that while internal staff surveys showed their employees valued the flexibility of remote working, they also wanted the option to head into an office to collaborate and socialize. 

“If people don’t have spaces to come together, they really seek that,” Rogerson told the Australian Financial Review. “Access to big screens and large meeting rooms for collaboration was another big office drawcard,” she added in a discussion about the opening of Canvas campus in Collingwood, Australia, in 2023.

“By focusing on collaboration-centric zones, the office becomes a place where employees can engage in the kind of creative and strategic work that benefits most from in-person interaction,” Gleb Tsipursky, founder of Disaster Avoidance Experts, told me in an exclusive discussion about essential spaces and zones in a hybrid office.

But these are not the meeting rooms of yesteryear: Gensler's Janet Pogue notes that almost every meeting now includes remote participants, making technology integration essential. Investing in high-quality microphones, cameras, and room acoustics helps engage remote and in-office attendees equally. 

Zoom is walking the talk with an immersive meeting room in its new London offices:

The Bottom Line

Different spaces in a hybrid office serve various purposes, from Community Spaces to Quiet Focus Spaces. Together, they must serve the ultimate goal: your employees want to come to the office to work and have valuable human interaction.

“It’s an opportunity to reimagine how we gather together and create workplaces that are compelling destinations where everyone feels included and welcomed. It's about designing buildings that not only respond to but also anticipate our needs. Ultimately, it's leaving at the end of the day feeling healthier and happier than when we arrived in the morning.” - Janet Pogue McLaurin