With its lounge-feels, thoughtful adjustability, and plush, natural upholstery options, Room & Board for Business’ Jude brings “soft office” energy into both corporate workplaces and stylish WFH setups.

Michelle Weiss, Publisher of Work Design Magazine, and Nicole Zack, Design Manager and Workplace Strategist at Ted Moudis Associates, spent several days working from Jude, evaluating comfort, adjustability, and user experience across a range of tasks and settings. Here’s what we learned.

First Impressions: A Cozy, Elevated Presence

Jude immediately stands out for its comfy residential, almost lounge-chair-like character. The profile is clean and inviting, with a generously sized seat and back that feel more “living room” than “board room.”

What won us over first was the seat pan which is wide, supportive, and dressed in a 4″+ cushion that feels intentionally plush.

It’s like working in a lounge chair that’s been lifted to task height.

If your design aesthetic leans toward comfortable minimalism or warm modern interiors, Jude fits right in.

The Run Down

Jude is super comfortable and supportive.

Overall Experience: Reviewers agree Jude is a nice change from a typical task chair, it’s very roomy and plush across both the seat and back.

It’s Made for You: There are 235 fabric options to choose from!

‘View In Your Space’ Feature on the Website: This tool helps interior designers confidently specify the product by seeing how the chair’s fabric chooses, dimensions and form integrate with their palette, layout, and lighting before finalizing selections.

Sustainable Fabric: Slightly textural but still soft, this twill fabric is made from thick yarns in a classic diagonal pattern with a bit of heathering. The Derry neutral chair we reviewed is a GREENGUARD Gold Certified® Revolution® fabric.

Wellbeing Bonus: For designers selecting products that support neuroinclusive, relaxed-focus environments, Jude is a strong contender.

Additional Standout Feature: Intuitive & Easy to Reach Controls

Room & Board for Business made a smart choice here: keep the controls simple and easy to find.

Every adjustment felt intuitive, with no guesswork about what each lever or knob would do. Adjustability isn’t over-engineered as the chair gets you to a comfortable, task-ready position quickly. There’s even some cozy, built-in lumbar support.

Designer-to-Designer: What You Should Know

This chair isn’t a fit for every application, and ergonomically it doesn’t offer all the adjustments you’d expect from a traditional, all day task chair. That said, that’s part of its strength. It’s well-suited for library, conference room, guest space or quiet room settings in the workplace where people want a change of pace from their primary workstation, or in a home office where comfort and a residential look are priorities.

Treat Yourself this Season!

Jude delivers an impressive blend of coziness, function, and design sophistication. It offers the kind of plush, supportive seating that makes long stretches of focused work feel easy and the aesthetic that makes a workspace feel intentionally curated.

With the holidays around the corner, Jude also happens to make a fantastic home-office upgrade. If your workspace wish list includes comfort, style, and a bit of indulgence, this chair deserves a spot under (or next to) the tree. Order yours here.

Images courtesy of Room & Board and our reviewers.

The post Chair of the Month Review: Jude by Room & Board for Business appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

The world of workplace pods is vast – from ultra-acoustic focus booths to agile phone units that move as fast as teams do. Before jumping into specs or purchases, it’s crucial to understand what your client or your coworking space really needs from these flexible, enclosed spaces.

Below are five expert-level considerations that ensure you’re recommending the right pod — one that aligns with the project’s goals, budget, and brand story.

Plus we share some of our favorite pods on the market from:

 

 

Mind the Airflow

Pods can feel stuffy fast. Confirm whether ventilation is active (fans) or passive (vents), and align with HVAC teams to maintain comfort standards.

Check the Decibel Data

Go beyond “soundproof” labels. On certified acoustic reports, look for dB(A) reduction ratings.

Don’t Forget ADA & Clearance Requirements

Ensure door widths, turning radii, and threshold heights meet code before finalizing layouts and purchases.

Finish Coordination Matters

Select finishes that complement your palette; pods should integrate seamlessly, not stand apart.

Think Beyond Installation Day

Clarify maintenance, warranty, and tech servicing responsibilities and resources upfront – especially for pods with lighting or ventilation systems.

Leading Pods in the Market

ROOM Phone Booth by ROOM

The ROOM Phone Booth, along with the full suite of ROOM’s modular office products, has received a certified autism resource badge from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) supporting neurodiversity in the workspace. The Phone Booth is designed to reduce sensory overload, providing a calm, controlled environment perfect for neurodiverse individuals, facilitating concentration and reducing stress in dynamic workplace settings.

Sustainability Highlights

All ROOM products are built out of recycled materials and replace multiple cycles of construction. We’ve saved tens of millions of plastic bottles from reaching a landfill. By thinking cyclically, we’re helping to reduce the near 600 million tons of construction and demolition waste created each year. Plus, our products have been tested for over 10k chemicals, and have met rigorous low-emissions standards supporting healthy office environments.

Key Features

• Exterior Dimensions: W 41.5” x D 43.8” x H 88.8”  
• Installation time: 60 minutes or less. One tool. Two team members.
• Acoustic rating in dB: Three layers of sound insulation made from recycled materials, including 100% natural breathable wool and no-dye-added acoustic felt, reduce noise by 30 decibels.
• Lighting details: An overhead LED light strip powered by a motion-activated smart sensor ensures bright ideas don’t stay in the dark.
• Air ventilation details: Each booth comes equipped with two ultra-quiet fans that wholly replenish air every 60 seconds. Discreet airflow inlet constantly pulls in fresh air while two ceiling fans push warm air out, keeping the air inside fresh at all times.

Top 3 Customizable Options

• Choice of a crisp White Phone Booth exterior with an off-white powder coated metal or sleek Black Grey powder coated metal exterior. Both “Light” and “Dark” Phone Booths come with oak accents.
• Each Phone Booth is flat-packed for seamless delivery and assembly. Your choice of DIY or professional assembly available. No hardwiring required. All it takes is one tool, one hour, and two team members.
• Available with Expedited Delivery options for quick shipping.

*Pricing depends on location. Contact ROOM for pricing.

LEARN MORE

hushFree.S.Hybrid Pod by Hushoffice

The hushFree.S.Hybrid acoustic pod is designed for longer video conferences, meetings and online presentations. The booth comes standard with a comfortable free-standing sofa and ergonomic desk. It allows for longer individual work or video meetings. The aesthetically designed LED side lighting of the user’s face ensures that he or she is even more visible during video meetings. HushAssistant – touchscreen module for changing to the color and intensity of the light (2200-6500 K), the speed of the fans, and gives the possibility to manage the reservations.

Sustainability Highlights

Lightweight cardboard boxes that can be easily recycled; environmentally conscious component suppliers; wood-based components with an Environmental Product Declaration (ISO 14025), PEFC Certified (PEFC/04-31-2920).

Key Features

• Exterior Dimensions (W x D x H): 48.97 x 35.43 x 90.53 in
• Installation time: about 2 hours by two persons
• Acoustic rating in dB: 30,2 dB according to ISO 23351-1:2020
• Lighting details: LED ceiling light 20W / 4000 K, lm – 2300; lux – min. 300 / medium 500 / max. 700. Adjusted in the range of 2200 – 6500K. Integrated 3.5W LED strips x2 (adjustable, 4000k).
• Air ventilation details: 2 fans x 80 m3/h with a maximum airflow 94 CFM. Total air exchange 39 seconds, 92 l/s.

Top 3 Customizable Options

• Inside panels available in 8 timeless colors, and body color available in two options
• Screen  brackets
• Occupancy sign

*Pricing is individualized and depends on region and product configuration.

LEARN MORE

CALL-1 by JUUNOO

Whether you need privacy for a call or a moment to recharge, the Call 1 booth provides a secure, quiet space for clear and uninterrupted conversations and video meetings. With a streamlined design and minimal silhouette, JUUNOO Pods blend naturally into any workspace.

Sustainability Highlights

Designed with circularity in mind, every booth is built to be reused or reconfigured, helping create a truly sustainable workspace. Our materials are sourced in Belgium and selected for durability, recyclability, and a low environmental impact.

Key Features

• Exterior Dimensions (W x D x H): 44” × 43 3/4” × 89 3/8”
• Installation time: 45 minutes
• Acoustic rating: 30 db
• Lighting details: Adjustable light dimmer up to 700 lm
• Air ventilation details: Multiple fans fully refresh air every 60 seconds

Top Customizable Options

Our standard exterior finishes come in black or white, with full customization available by request.

*Starting Price 5495 USD

LEARN MORE

Om Pod by National

Kolo 1 Pod by National

Designed to offer a choice for privacy in open settings, Kolo Pods are an ideal solution for working, learning, and healing spaces. Employees and guests appreciate spaces that can flex to support focus as well as collaboration. Kolo Pods give your team control over their environment, with no contractor required. Every pod (except our ADA-compliant model) is equipped with easy-to-use rollers, so you can move them anywhere in your office, even after installation.

Closing Thoughts

As offices evolve into ecosystems of focus, collaboration, and choice, pods are becoming an essential design tool — but not all pods are created equal. Taking into account the right considerations upfront ensures that your solution delivers on comfort, compliance, and culture – not just square footage.

The post Specifying Pods Like a Pro appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

With more than 20 years of experience bridging the worlds of retail, hospitality and workplace design. Stephen Jay helps global brands translate their identities into physical experiences that are not only visually compelling but also agile, scalable and people-centered.

Driven by a passion for innovation and a belief that design should deliver both economic and human value, Jay brings an entrepreneurial mindset to every challenge. He has built high-performing teams, uncovered unmet customer needs and applied design thinking to help organizations grow, differentiate and connect more meaningfully with their audiences. We recently caught up with him and here’s what he had to share.

WDM: You’ve helped global retail brands rethink physical environments around experience and adaptability. How are those same principles influencing how JLL approaches flexible workplace design?

Stephen Jay: In retail, we design for perpetual change without rebuilding stores. We can apply the same logic to workplace: we can create spaces with a “kit-of-parts” such as reconfigurable walls, mobile hubs, power-anywhere, etc. Like retail stores adapt to different types of shopping trip missions, workplaces can quickly reshape for different work styles: whether people need to collaborate, workshop ideas or focus. We add support services like concierge, on-site tech support and light refreshment options to make space multi-functional in a meaningful way. 

Our research shows that when workplaces feel high-quality and adapt quickly, people actually want to use them — so flexibility isn’t just operational; it’s cultural.

This means flexibility isn’t just about saving money on workspace changes. It’s about creating a culture where people choose to come into the office.

When the space adapts quickly and feels premium, managers don’t have to force compliance with return-to-office policies. The environment itself becomes the draw. 

WDM: Many companies underestimate how brand identity should translate into flexible space. What are the most effective ways to keep a company’s DNA visible in spaces that continually reconfigure?

Stephen Jay: Your brand should work as a complete system and be the bones of your flexible workspace design, not just decorative touches. For our clients, we create a consistent set of materials and colors that can be used throughout any space. Then we anchor everything with one or two standout design elements. Digital displays can be updated with fresh content, while purposeful objects — like cultural pieces, modular furniture or movable partitions — encourage the different behaviors you want to see in a space. The result is adaptable offices that stay true to your brand through core design elements that never change, plus flexible layers you can easily update.

WDM: What metrics or indicators do you use to evaluate whether a flexible space is successful and how you go about measuring them? For example: occupancy utilization, employee satisfaction, time to reconfigure, cost savings?

Stephen Jay: We track several key areas to measure success. For space usage, we look at how busy areas get during peak times versus average days, how long people actually use different seats and rooms, and the balance of use across different zones or “neighborhoods.” We measure the practical side too — how long it takes to rearrange spaces and how much staff time that requires.

Then we collect space use insights: we gather feedback through tailored questionnaires, task-space fit evaluations and satisfaction scores. We ask whether the space actually supports the work they’re trying to do, if it’s comfortable, and whether it’s worth the commute. 

And we track the business impact: what each change costs, how much energy we save and how often people actually collaborate in the space. It can be useful to correlate policy sentiment versus actual attendance and test whether quality upgrades close any gaps. Some methods for measurement for this include sensors and bookings, pulse surveys, post-event debriefs, quarterly “space health” reviews and focus groups.

WDM: Occupancy is no longer a fixed variable. How do your teams design environments that can flex between peak collaboration and quiet focus – without losing aesthetic or functional cohesion?

Stephen Jay: To balance collaboration and focus, for example, we might design layered neighborhoods: a quiet core with library rules, a team perimeter for workshops and meetings, and buffers to absorb noise. One-touch modes can shift lighting, A/V and furniture from “Focus” to “Workshop” mode in minutes, enabled by power and data enabled everywhere. A focused material palette preserves aesthetic cohesion, frictionless technology enables instant participation, and clear wayfinding and light concierge support keeps it humming.

WDM: Retail excels at turning square footage into emotional experiences. How can workplace designers borrow that storytelling mindset to make even hot-desking and hybrid setups feel intentional?

Stephen Jay: Script the day like a store journey: welcoming threshold (lockers, tech check), orientation cue (schedule and vibe), anchor moments (community table, café pit-stop, demo wall), micro-scenes (phone alcoves, huddle nooks), graceful exit (reset ritual). When you use design to transform work into a narrative with roadmaps, prototypes and recognition, even a hoteling seat feels intentional.

WDM: The workplace has never been more fluid. From your perspective, what’s driving the shift toward flexible design – and what’s keeping some organizations from fully embracing it?

Stephen Jay: Drivers for shifting to flexible office design include variable occupancy rates, portfolio optimization, improved sustainability and enhanced employee satisfaction (which connects to talent attraction and retention).

Barriers include legacy leases/furniture, fragmented HR/IT/Real Estate governance, inconsistent policy enforcement and poor hybrid tech. Breaking down these barriers requires executive sponsorship, a unified space/service operating model, funded change management programs and key performance indicator (KPI) ties to culture and space performance — not just cost.

WDM: According to JLL’s Workforce Preference Barometer, how can adaptable furniture and reconfigurable layouts create truly “commute-worthy” office days that convert policy acceptance into actual attendance.

Stephen Jay: The study found 72% positive ratings on structured hybrid attendance policies, yet that rating comes with a caveat: the majority of those employees with a positive view work in offices that balance business needs with employee wellbeing through intentional office design, health services, social infrastructure and mobility support. Interestingly, employees with negative views on hybrid policies are communicating the same value system with the difference being that work-life balance is missing. When employees don’t feel valued or supported, they expect compensation for their commute and flexible hours. 

To draw employees into the office, they are looking for local character and community integration, creative spaces, onsite food and health services, and better hybrid tech in the workplace. Some ideas to achieve higher voluntary attendance with less need for manager enforcement include:

• Programming magnet days with client demos or learning sprints and restaging overnight with adaptable furniture
• Localizing office neighborhoods with materials/art that reflect the community outside the office, plus creative spaces and wellness micro-zones
• Hospitality where work happens with great coffee, healthy grab-and-go, and tech concierge embedded in team areas
• Frictionless hybrid technology where every seat is meeting-ready, and presets advertise the day’s vibe and where to plug in

WDM: Looking ahead, do you think the “flexible office” will become a core part of a company’s brand experience – much like flagship stores are for retailers? What does that evolution look like from JLL’s perspective?

Stephen Jay: Absolutely. People reward high quality experiences with their presence.

The most effective offices are shifting from place to platform – a dynamic, reconfigurable work experience that might host product showcases, partner residencies and community programming.

Add in seasonal drops of layouts and content; measurable audience outcomes like attendance, learning hours and client conversion; and a brand system that scales from hub to satellite, while honoring local character. Office flexibility will continue to evolve to support the brand, business goals and employee expectations, and so must be integrated into the design so that it’s a part of each workplace experience, every day.

Want more insights?

JLL’s Susan Chang reveals how “vibrancy mapping” and seamless tech integration are reshaping office design for engagement, flexibility, and long-term value.

JLL’s Christina Piper shares how Gen Z is shaping workplaces with values-driven, inclusive, and sustainable design that supports ROI.

The post Designing for Perpetual Change: JLL’s Stephen Jay on Building Workplaces People Choose to Use appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Meet Ignition 2.0 with Spectrum Mesh

The HON Company’s Ignition 2.0 has long been a dependable choice in performance seating; with this latest update featuring the Spectrum Mesh version, HON brings together bold aesthetics, ergonomic comfort and sustainability in a package that fits modern corporate workspaces.

The Rundown

The chair had excellent ergonomics, and the lumbar support made long periods of sitting much easier.

Adjustable Arms: Height adjustments allow a tailored fit for different users or postures.

Seat Comfort: Synchro-tilt control help ensure the chair accommodates upright work and relaxed recline.

Mesh Back: The Spectrum Mesh supports airflow and natural lumbar curve while allowing the body to move, rather than feeling “locked in”.

Ships Quick: Ignition 2.0 in Spectrum Mesh is also part of the HON NOW quick-ship program, shipping in just two weeks

Sustainability Story: The mesh contains 20 % post-consumer recycled polyester. Plus it meets OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (free of harmful chemicals and 100 % free of heavy metals).

What We Loved Most

Design & Aesthetics

The simple form and clean lines of the chair made everyone stop and ask where it was from, and the pop of color was an added bonus!

One of the standout first impressions of the Ignition 2.0 Spectrum Mesh is the bold color palette. The Spectrum Mesh option comes in 22 curated hues ranging from neutrals (Linen, Quicksand) to vibrant tones (Cobalt, Bullseye, Key Lime) giving specifiers and designers a broad palette to match brand, culture, interior décor.

Fun color options and a variety of styles conveniently within the same line.

The Ignition 2.0 chair that we reviewed was an eye-catching Cobalt Blue mesh and seat. From the perspective of modern workplace aesthetics, where monochromatic  color schemes are trending, the bold yet restrained options here give a clean, unified look.

Additional Standout Features

We also like the fact that Ignition 2.0 comes not only in the standard task version that we reviewed but also cafe stools, multipurpose stacking and sled base chairs, and a big-and-tall task chair. The enables flexibility across a variety of use-cases (private, collaborative, and creative environments) which is a plus for workplace designers juggling multiple settings.

The “View it in My Space” configurator was another standout component on the website because it allows designers to visualize the Ignition 2.0 chair at true scale in the actual environment using augmented reality. This tool helps interior designers confidently specify the product by seeing how the chair’s color (since there are many great options), scale, and form integrate with their palette, layout, and lighting before finalizing selections.

Special Thanks to Our DLR Group Co-Reviewers

Elly Franklin, Interior Designer

Brendan Bell, Interior Designer

Images courtesy of Hon and DLR Group.

Curious about what it was like to work from Ignition 2.0? Check out our Instagram reels and TikToks, and make sure to follow us to see more. Plus, you’ll be the first to know the chair we are reviewing next!

Want more options from The Hon Company?

Check out our Review of Flexion ->

The post Chair of the Month Review: Ignition 2.0 by Hon appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

The workplace is no longer judged by square footage or amenity checklists – it’s judged by how well it aligns with people’s values, supports their wellbeing, and enables them to do their best work. Few leaders understand this shift more deeply than Christina Piper, Senior Vice President of Workplace Design at JLL.

With more than 20 years of experience spanning corporate interiors, healthcare, higher education, aviation, residential, and hospitality, she has mastered the art of designing spaces that balance function, inclusivity, and flexibility. Christina’s perspective challenges organizations to think beyond free lattes and foosball tables, and instead ask: how does our workplace reflect who we are, how we care for people, and how we drive business forward? In this conversation, she unpacks what Gen Z and future employees expect, how design can reinforce culture and connection, and why “outcome-optimized” spaces are becoming the new ROI.

WDM: Employee experience is often called the new ROI. How can organizations move beyond surface-level perks – like great coffee and free meals – to create workplaces that truly support how people work and how they feel?

Christina Piper: When we talk about return on investment within the workplace, it’s important to acknowledge the efforts employers have made to create an optimized environment already, often supported by perks like an on-site barista or free lunch. Equally valuable, it’s really important to understand what brought someone to this organization in the first place, what values they were attracted to, and what keeps them happy and proud to work for this company. For example, when we poll employees about their workplace preferences, it’s a range of questions from “do I feel safe in expressing my opinions?” to “do I have regular access to leadership?” These are inherent aspects that matter to an employee long after the free snacks are digested. 

You might ask, “when we talk about how these ideals fold into the workspace design and experience, what does that entail?” We start with understanding how people do their best work and focus on environments that support employee and organization goals. We plan for a balance of community and focus areas, specifying furniture that supports all body types, abilities and postures. We incorporate lighting and acoustical solutions that limit distractions and create psychological safety. We build inclusive spaces that speak not just to the employee during the workday, but to the individual who may play multiple roles of parent, caregiver or student; to the people who have different cognitive abilities or work styles. We recognize that on a day-to-day basis, people may carry joy, sadness, stress, grief, positivity or negativity, and that aspects of the workday may alter their moods and productivity levels multiple times. 

Essentially, we create space for all that a person is bringing into their workday by enabling flexibility within our workspaces that support celebration, defeat, coaching, mentorship, privacy and collaboration.

So, how do we get maximum return on investment? Remember, people are the most important, and most costly asset to any organization. Unmotivated, disengaged and unhappy people cost the company in culture, replacement and onboarding. Let’s listen to our workforce and engage them at several intervals. Often, subtle changes done in response to employee feedback are not costly – and when communicated through the proper channels, build a continued or even increased pride for the employee’s workplace and experience.

WDM: Gen Z employees are vocal about wanting values-driven, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces. How should companies translate those expectations into the actual design and function of their spaces?

Christina Piper: Gen Z brings a refreshing reminder of how important transparency and authenticity are within our organizations. They prioritize working with companies and leadership that genuinely embody their values, and are equally inclined to call out a toxic work environment or companies that are only offering lip service without follow through on delivery.

Some of the biggest indicators that we hear during employee interviews and when we talk to stakeholders are when they tour a prospective new employee through their workspace and they can see immediate indicators of either a healthy or toxic culture. These are some of the things they’re evaluating:

• Is leadership present and connecting with their teams? Does the built environment support these connection points?
• Are people smiling and communicating? 
• Does the brand permeate through the built construction and are values visible and applied in a brand-centric way? 
• Is investment present in health and wellness programs (e.g., healthy snacks, adjustable lighting, access to natural light, quiet and inclusive spaces)?
• Do people have space that enables different ways of communicating?

When we talk about inclusive and sustainable workplaces, these are values that Gen Z was immersed into from a very young age – so these things are just assumed as baseline – not as “extra.” Most demand sustainability advocacy and action from their organizations, and are equally enthusiastic about doing their part. When we think about spaces that are inclusive, it’s no longer about having a mother’s room or a wheelchair accessible bathroom, but about including many aspects of life that happen during work hours for different types of people. We need to look at how different spaces are used by diverse people who implicitly connect experiences at work with their lifestyles outside the office, and we need to make sure that we’re continuously moving the bar higher to really elevate these experiences.

WDM: JLL’s Social and Spatial Strategy framework shows how team rituals and decision-making structures need to align with spatial design choices like adjacency, pathways, and reconfigurable layouts. How do you help clients strike that balance – so the space isn’t just well-designed, but actually reinforces the way people connect, collaborate, and innovate?

Christina Piper: We don’t look at space as a collection of rooms and adjacencies, but as a journey map with experience touchpoints tied to moods and outcomes. We explore how to knit spaces together in terms of pathways, sightlines and technology, based on the intersectionality of social and spatial strategies. 

An example of this: many of our clients ask us to “design with flexibility in mind.” This ultimately means that, at any time, any group could lift and shift from one area into another as an organization’s structure evolves—avoiding reconstruction and downtime. Our solution here is adaptable spaces that could be equitably and universally applied across business units. We use modular furniture, reconfigurable layouts, power and data to design with future flexibility in mind. 

WDM: What does inclusive design look like when it’s done right?

Christina Piper: When inclusive design is done right, it naturally blends into the workplace ecosystem, and it benefits every occupant. Your design shows you considered specific needs, you thought of the way people enter space, experience space and you anticipate sensitivities within space. JLL recently published research on design trends and discusses the “street to seat” concept – which means we’re thinking about the experience from the very moment we enter the workplace environment. To clarify, that moment isn’t when I enter my office suite, but far in advance. That moment is when I drive to the building, park my car, walk in, get coffee, watch a news update on my way up in the elevator—before I even get to my desk. 

When considering the initial 5-10 minutes of the user experience, we can equate this to the hospitality experience we have when we go to a really great hotel which focuses on all the details:

• Soft lighting that illuminates with intention
• A check-in experience with a concierge who recognizes our needs
• A signature scent which shifts our mind and our mood right away
• Various spaces to nourish our bodies and minds

When we envision a well-designed workspace with inclusivity in mind, we don’t think about a new mom hunting to find the only Mother’s Room that is located in the middle of a bustling corridor. Instead, we work with HR to place one on every floor in a discreet location, with controlled access for specific individuals who need it. We have moved from “gender neutral” to “all gender” restrooms that accommodate more than just alternate bathrooms: there’s private space for administering fertility shots, accommodating medical and accessibility needs, and access to hygiene products at no cost. 

Again, spaces such as these are thoughtfully integrated into the user experience the very same way a premier hotel curates environments that meet every guest’s needs: striving for comfort and optimal experience every single day at multiple touch points during the day.

WDM: With hybrid now the norm, what are the design strategies that best balance collaborative energy with the need for focused, individual work?

Christina Piper: The recurring theme we always hear C-Suite concern for is how to avoid the “graveyard effect”—meaning diluted energy in a workspace because so many workstations sit empty. People want to be part of space that is bustling. They would rather get creative to find a seat in a full neighborhood than set up in the middle of 10 empty desks.

Our research indicates that from an employee perspective, the top three reasons to be in the office are to socialize, participate actively in internal meetings and for team brainstorming.

While these three focus heavily on the collaborative and social aspects of the process, we still must have time and environments that are conducive to distraction-free, heads-down, uninterrupted work. Don’t forget, too, that the hybrid and global workplace demands more intentional 1:1 sessions. These days, it’s quite common to have a manager that doesn’t sit in the same location, time zone or even country. Therefore, private spaces outfitted with proper technology and acoustics are crucial for conversations that may include workshopping or constructive feedback.

Let’s talk more about avoiding the workstation graveyard! Seat sharing can balance count of furnishings, control costs and respond to a flexible schedule of teams. The establishment of neighborhoods helps keep teams together and also creates mini ecosystems of meeting spaces outfitted with varying furniture configurations and technology, balanced out with easy-to-find focus spaces or quiet zones. Additionally, furniture sizes and needs are still shrinking, so storage requirements don’t matter as much as they used to, when all workstations were assigned 5 days per week.

WDM: Underutilized office space is still a reality for many companies. How can space utilization data be used not just to shrink footprints, but to redesign spaces that actively boost productivity and engagement?

Christina Piper: Underutilized space can be depressing and create the impression that people have been forgotten. People don’t feel energized. People don’t do their best work. They start to regret their commute in because they feel they’re getting nothing out of their office visit. We like to change these situations from “underutilized” to “outcome optimized!”

An outcome-optimized space is one that people want to be a part of – that if they can’t make it to the office, they feel that FOMO effect!

These spaces are born out of the notion that effective space drives ideal outcomes – and we work backwards from those outcomes to determine all the factors that contribute to their achievement. The trick is to define what success means for each company or business unit.

No matter the client, when we optimize space, that includes better technology that actually connects a workplace – not just in meeting rooms, but with an understanding of who is in the office and when, and guiding occupants into the right environment based on the agenda of their workday. These spaces also drive more creative and diverse room layouts, more flexible and intelligent lighting solutions, more adaptability with furnishings or moveable walls, and more inclusive, ergonomic furniture solutions. When we talk about how we can optimize workspaces to boost productivity and engagement, we have to think about what people want out of a workspace. 

When it comes to productivity and engagement, the best test of this is when you see people in an office environment and they’re using spaces exactly how they were designed. This is a “high-five” moment for the design and client stakeholder team. It celebrates months or years of planning, surveying stakeholders and designing an environment that enables people to do their best work.

WDM: Sustainability isn’t just an aspiration – it’s increasingly a requirement in workplace design. What practical steps are you seeing companies take to reuse, repurpose, or recycle in their fit-outs, and how do those choices impact overall business goals and budgets?

Christina Piper: First, we’re socializing sustainable expectations better and with more upfront intention in design projects. I started my career in the era of LEED certification being the benchmark of whether or not a space was considered sustainable, and I’m so happy that sustainability is no longer just a number of points on a scorecard. Rather, it’s measured by how a sustainability mindset is applied to every aspect in the design process, from how we program space to how we buy furniture to how we retire equipment.

Unfortunately, the reality is that in many markets it’s more cost-effective to throw out used furniture and purchase new. But JLL challenges our clients to think differently: doing the right thing will often add efforts and cost, but could be a better reflection of the organization’s ESG goals and a more authentic mission of the brand, if sustainability is truly a cornerstone. Employees notice this more than you might think!

Some of the common sustainability practices that we see during projects are reconfiguring, retrofitting used furniture to modernize it and making workstations more ergonomically functional. We often ask, “what parts can we keep? Can we reskin panels with a fresh fabric? Can we add acoustic products that are going to better the experience? Can we swap a fixed tabletop for a sit-to-stand?” Our furniture manufacturer and dealer partners are champions at making this happen while ensuring that we’re not creating excessive waste.

Another encouraging trend in sustainability is the transparency that is being demanded. Organizations are asked to justify how they set and support ESG goals, so they have to quantify and share how those goals are reached. That’s why you are seeing more sustainability campaigns incorporated into marketing programs, interior signage and storytelling moments. For example, in many of our JLL offices we have bottle fillers that have signage that encourages us to use a reusable bottle and how many plastic bottles we are diverting from landfills each year. Although subtle, this welcomes accountability to end users: the space is the framework for a sustainable story, but the occupants drive the contents of that story through their actions and involvement.

WDM: Traditional productivity metrics often miss the value of connection, mentoring, and innovation. What new measures should companies consider to capture the impact of their workplace experience?

Christina Piper: Traditional productivity metrics tend to focus on output or revenue numbers. While these are important sources of truth, equally important is the capture of employee sentiments which help relay the WHY behind the numbers. 

One of the most important questions that we ask when we start to team with organizations is: “what change do you want to make and why?”

To encourage “blue sky” thinking, we build in some targeted workplace strategy initiatives upfront – like an executive visioning session, stakeholder focus groups and strategic interviewing – to capture all perspectives and show how leadership values employee input. That allows us to dive into what’s working and what isn’t from people who are regularly using space. 

WDM: If you had one piece of advice for leaders designing workplaces with future employees in mind, what would it be?

Christina Piper: Don’t be afraid to get it wrong! And if you do get it wrong, make it right—and quickly. What I mean by that is, employees don’t expect leaders and organizations to do everything perfectly right – they know that the hybrid workplace is an evolving normal to be navigated and experimented with on an ongoing basis. As I talk to leaders and stakeholders across several business units within organizations, employees acknowledge that their workplace goofed or didn’t get a certain aspect of design right. But then I hear the admiration when leadership addresses it, they solicit their feedback and they say, how could we do this better? When you can bring people along on the journey and come from a place of humility – it’s amazing how people come from a place of understanding and appreciation.

We as people tend to not expect perfection. What we do expect is transparency, involvement in decisions and when feedback is solicited, communication on how it’s used to make a difference and create a better outcome.

Want more insights?

JLL’s Susan Chang reveals how “vibrancy mapping” and seamless tech integration are reshaping office design for engagement, flexibility, and long-term value.

The post Designing for the Future: Christina Piper on How Values, Inclusivity, and Sustainability Define the Next Generation Workplace appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

As part of the 2025 NeoCon Talks series, Susan Chang, Senior Vice President, Workplace Design Advisory, at JLL Design, treated us to a deep dive into the fundamental shifts of the modern office. Now we are connecting again – this time to get her ideas on workplace technology, design strategies and more. Prepare to be inspired!

WDM: Susan, thanks for joining us at NeoCon. Now we’d like to get your take on the future of work. The AVI-SPL client story is a great example of a workplace design that incorporates technology as always accessible but never dominant. What lessons from that project could designers carry into their own work?

Susan Chang: The AVI-SPL project exemplifies technology that enhances human connection rather than creating barriers to it. The key lesson for designers is to start with behavioral outcomes, not technological capabilities. We designed spaces where collaboration tools emerged naturally from the architecture itself.

The takeaway is this: successful workplace technology should feel like magic, not machinery.

When someone walks into a meeting room and the space intuitively responds to their needs without complex interfaces or learning curves, we’ve achieved true integration.

WDM: What design strategies can we use to create an inclusive environment that attracts diverse talent and improves employee engagement?

Susan Chang: Inclusive design is fundamentally about understanding and designing for vibrancy profiles – recognizing that different work requires different energy levels, and different teams naturally operate at varying intensities. High-vibrancy spaces support dynamic collaboration with open layouts, stimulating colors, and technology that facilitates rapid information sharing, while low-vibrancy spaces emphasize calm palettes, controlled acoustics, and minimal distractions to support deep focus and contemplative work.

The vital aspect is matching spatial energy to work energy. Our design process now includes vibrancy mapping – analyzing teams’ work patterns and collaboration styles, then creating corresponding spatial experiences. A high-vibrancy marketing team might feel stifled in a library-quiet environment, while a research group could find an open collaboration space counterproductive.

When spatial vibrancy aligns with team vibrancy, we see dramatically improved engagement, productivity, and talent retention across all work functions. This vibrancy-first approach has become our signature methodology, and we’re seeing higher space utilization rates when spatial vibrancy aligns with team vibrancy compared to traditional “one-size-fits-all” designs.

WDM: What design elements should we consider to future-proof our space for evolving work practices and technologies? 

Susan Chang: Future-proofing isn’t about predicting the next gadget – it’s about building adaptive capacity into the physical environment. We focus on three core principles: robust infrastructure, modular systems and human-centered flexibility.

This means designing power and data pathways that can accommodate unknown future needs, creating furniture systems that can be reconfigured rapidly, and most importantly, building spaces that can support evolving work patterns and attract and retain high-performing talent.

The offices that thrive in 2030 won’t be the ones with the most advanced technology today – they’ll be the ones that can adapt to whatever comes next. This matters because workplace investment cycles are long, but business needs change rapidly.

WDM: Integrating sophisticated tech into architectural elements and furniture can be tricky, but “shy tech” is considered the latest luxury. What are the key challenges you encounter, when balancing functionality, comfort, and aesthetics to create united “phygital” (physical + digital) spaces?

Susan Chang: The biggest challenge is the fear that visible tech will quickly look dated or create user friction. Our approach is to embed intelligence in beautiful, timeless elements. Think: conference tables with hidden connectivity, walls that double as display surfaces or lighting that provides both ambiance and data feedback.

Collaboration between industrial designers, technologists and behavioral scientists from day one is the key to making this happen. We’re not just hiding wires – we’re reimagining how digital and physical experiences can feel unified. When technology feels like a natural extension of the architecture rather than an addition to it, we’ve achieved that luxury “shy tech” experience.

WDM: The Fit-Out Cost Guide research suggests that occupiers are investing more in workplace updates. How is this shaping design priorities (and budgets) in 2025 and early 2026?

Susan Chang: The research confirms what we’re seeing globally – organizations are moving from cost-cutting to strategic investment in workplace experience. This shift is driving three major priorities: employee retention through quality workplace experiences, productivity optimization through smart space utilization and brand differentiation through innovative design.

Budgets are increasingly allocated toward experiential elements – advanced air quality systems, biophilic design and technology that learns and adapts to user preferences. We’re also seeing investment in advanced data analytics capabilities that help organizations understand how spaces actually perform, not just how they look.

WDM: Beyond aesthetics, how do you measure whether the workplace is truly enhancing user experience? Are there metrics or indicators that signal success?

Susan Chang:  True success is measured in behavioral change and achieved business outcomes. Data-driven, AI-augmented design decisions lead to more effective workplace evolutions than intuition and best practice expertise alone.

For example, on behalf of clients, we can track utilization patterns through anonymized sensor data, measure collaboration frequency and quality, and monitor employee satisfaction through pulse surveys.

But the most telling indicator is what I call “gravitational pull”: do people choose to come to the office when they don’t have to? 

We also measure adaptability – how quickly spaces can be reconfigured for new needs and technology adoption rates.

The proof is in the data. When people are using the tools we’ve provided and the spaces are being activated as intended, we know we’ve created something meaningful and effective.

WDM: Finally, what advice would you give architects and designers who want to incorporate subtle, elegant and effective technology into their next projects? Any guiding principles, best practices or practical tips?

Susan Chang: Start by understanding not just how people work, but the vibrancy profiles of different teams and work functions. Conduct vibrancy assessments early in programming to identify which groups operate at high intensity versus those requiring calm focus. This becomes your spatial DNA for the entire project.

Practically, I recommend three approaches: First, map team vibrancy profiles before designing any space layouts – this determines your acoustic, lighting and technology integration strategies. Second, create transitional zones between high and low vibrancy areas to prevent energy conflicts. And third, plan for team evolution – spaces should be able to shift vibrancy levels as organizations and work patterns change.

The most elegant solutions feel effortless because they’re energetically aligned with their users. When spatial vibrancy matches team vibrancy, technology integration becomes intuitive, aesthetic choices feel natural and human behavior flows seamlessly.

This vibrancy-first approach transforms workplace design from guesswork into strategic, evidence-based decision-making. 

Really, it all comes back to integrating technology and data throughout your project, making data-driven decisions to create frictionless user experiences that keep top talent engaged and productive, and delivers value for critical business outcomes.

This article was created in partnership with JLL.

Want More Insights from Susan Chang?

The post Designing for Vibrancy: Susan Chang on Seamless Tech, Inclusive Workplaces, and the Future of Office Design appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Our interview with Heidi Frasure, Green Standards’ head of sustainability outlines strategies to keep millions of pounds of furniture and office-related products out of the landfill.

Green Standards has a 16+ year commitment to donate, resell, relocate, and recycle office furniture, fixtures and equipment. They maximize the value of everything in your office and provide transparent impact reporting for all stakeholders.

“Loop ‘Em In: Selling Circularity to Skeptical Stakeholders” is Green Standards’ latest field guide to understanding and implementing sustainable decommissioning in your organization. Check out WDM’s interview with Heidi covering the highlights of the guide and where to download your copy today.

WDM: Before we dive into a review of your new field guide, “Loop ‘Em In: Selling Circularity to Skeptical Stakeholders,” tell us a little bit about Green Standards and your role there.

Heidi Frasure: Absolutely! Green Standards pioneered what we call sustainable decommissioning, which is a fancy way of saying we help businesses and governments keep everything in their offices in use and out of landfills. That usually means furniture, fixtures, and equipment, but we handle everything from fire hoses to forklifts. The puzzle we solve is what to do with this stuff. Working with some of the world’s largest companies, we focus on donating to local schools and non-profits, reselling what we can to defray costs, and finding the most reputable recyclers for what’s left. Each project is different, but after 16 years and more than 150 million square feet of office space decommissioned all over the world, we still average a 98% landfill diversion rate.

Just over a year ago, I stepped into the role of Head of Sustainability at Green Standards, but my connection to this work started long before that. I was working on circular economy strategies at Steelcase, and like so many in the industry, we were facing a common challenge: clients wanted new furniture, but they didn’t know what to do with the old. That’s when I first came across Green Standards. I was the one who vetted them, searching for a partner who could help us do better for our clients, and for the planet. Green Standards was and still is the best solution by far.

What struck me then, and continues to inspire me now, is the way this team sees opportunity where others see waste. I feel incredibly fortunate to have joined an organization that not only keeps millions of pounds of furniture out of landfill (260 million pounds to be exact) but also puts it to good use in local communities where it can make a real difference.

For me, the most meaningful part of this work is witnessing the transformation, seeing a room full of “unwanted” office furniture become a classroom for an underfunded school, or a nonprofit workspace to support a place of healing. It’s a reminder that the end of use doesn’t have to mean the end of value. Landfills don’t deserve your furniture, your communities do. At Green Standards, we’re proving that the circular economy isn’t just an idea, it’s a real, scalable solution. And I’m proud to be a part of it.

WDM: Circularity is fast becoming a buzz word. Please define what the circular economy means to a built environment audience and include a couple examples.

Heidi Frasure:

Circularity might be a trendy term right now, and that’s not a bad thing!

But the concept itself is nothing new. We’ve been practicing it for 16 years and people have been reusing and recovering materials for centuries. It just makes business sense, especially today, when resources are tighter and it’s getting harder (and more expensive) to source raw materials due to global and political challenges.

It’s encouraging to see more attention on reuse and waste reduction. But while buzzwords may come and go, landfill is permanent. That’s why we prioritize action over rhetoric. In the built environment, that means creating spaces that are resilient, flexible, and designed to maintain their value over time. And when those spaces are no longer in use, partnering with organizations like Green Standards helps ensure valuable assets are repurposed—not wasted—addressing one of the built environment’s most pressing challenges: reducing wasteful practices.

WDM: The title of your new field guide refers to skeptical stakeholders. Would you build a profile of who circularity stakeholders are, to give our readers some context of where they might fit into this picture?

Heidi Frasure: Everyone has a role to play in the circular economy—even if they’ve never heard the term before. And that’s okay! If you’re relocating offices and would rather donate your old desk to a local school than toss it in a dumpster, you’re a stakeholder. If you’re a facility manager trying to cut costs during a renovation, you’re a stakeholder. If you’re a corporate real estate leader overseeing a portfolio of buildings, you’re in it too.

The circular economy is a system, and like any system, it only works when everyone involved shifts how they think and act. For decades, we’ve operated in a linear model: take, make, waste. Moving toward circularity means seeing value where we once saw waste, and finding smarter, more sustainable ways to manage resources.

For that shift to stick, stakeholders need to experience real benefits. The circular option has to be easier, more cost-effective, or less risky than the linear approach—ideally, all three. When it is, it becomes not just the right thing to do, but the obvious choice.

WDM: The field guide talks about three themes: engagement, value and resilience. We’d like to explore each of these from a built environment perspective.

Regarding engagement: take us deeper into this notion that “circularity keeps you close to your customers.” How can those in the CRE (corporate real estate) space build relations with brands and products to deliver a clear advantage over linear alternatives?

Heidi Frasure: That insightful perspective comes from Dennis Wilson from Saint-Gobain, and to me, it’s a powerful reminder of the value of relationships. When your engagement with a client ends at the point of sale, you become easily replaceable.

Staying engaged with clients beyond the sale allows you to help them navigate what’s next, finding new purpose for their space and everything in it. That’s how loyalty is built: not just by being there at the beginning, but by showing up at the end, too.

For CRE leaders, this means extending the client experience beyond move-in or build-out. It’s about staying engaged through the full asset lifecycle, helping tenants or internal teams reimagine spaces, redeploy assets, and unlock value at every turn. That’s not just good customer service; it’s smart portfolio management.

WDM: Regarding value: our audience will appreciate the report’s delineation of value in terms of business, social and environmental. We’d like you to tell us more about the “risk of inertia,” that was identified as an ROI factor. Specifically, how can our readers use this value aspect to build the circularity case for their leadership?

Heidi Frasure: The “risk of inertia” refers to the cost of doing nothing, or doing too little, too late in the face of rapidly evolving environmental, social, and market expectations. In a circular economy context, inertia can carry significant risks: stranded assets, higher waste disposal costs, missed corporate targets which can impact investment opportunities, reputational damage, and failure to comply with tightening regulations. These risks directly impact business performance, operational resilience, and long-term competitiveness, but can be very challenging to measure in a traditional return on investment calculation.

For readers building the case for circularity within their organizations, framing inertia as a business risk is a compelling angle for leadership. While sustainability initiatives are often seen through a cost or compliance lens, the risk of not acting presents a hidden liability. The real ROI of circular strategies isn’t just about reducing waste or emissions, it’s about staying in business. There are several tools that can be used like a quick impact matrix that assesses all of the effects, not just financial.

Positioning circularity as a proactive risk management strategy can resonate strongly at the executive level. Leaders need to understand that the greatest threat isn’t necessarily the cost of implementing circular practices —it’s the cost of inaction in a changing world.

WDM: Regarding resilience: this section built a strong defense for companies being circular for resource independence and revenue diversification. What strategies can our built-environment audience take from these learnings to design, build and operate their facilities?

Heidi Frasure: The built environment isn’t going anywhere, and that’s a good thing. So, make long-term decisions when you can, investing in community and continuity. Don’t get stuck in short-term thinking. Design spaces that can stand the test of time and have a clear plan for what happens at the end of the lease, before you even begin the design. Understand your options and how your choices can unlock significant value.

Approaching everything through a circular lens helps identify opportunities for reuse and optimize costs. With global supply chains becoming increasingly fragile, leaning on local supply chains or reuse is a smarter, more resilient strategy.

And remember, you can’t do this alone. A circular economy thrives on partnerships and networks, so leverage experts like Green Standards to help make it work.

WDM: In closing, is there anything else about your new field guide that you’d like to share with our readers?

Heidi Frasure: Circularity is really just common sense! Less waste creates more value for everyone. It really doesn’t matter what you call it so long as you do it. If you do it right, you’ll save time, money, waste, carbon emissions, and headaches. If you’re looking to make your next project more resilient, efficient, and impactful, let’s talk. We’d love to help you get started!

Want More?

Download your copy of “Loop ‘Em In: Selling Circularity to Skeptical Stakeholders” here today

This article was created in partnership with Green Standards. Images courtesy of Green Standards.

The post Loop ‘Em In: How to Sell Circularity to Skeptical Stakeholders appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Moovlab Pvot Chair (Launching Soon!)

Found at Design Days

Unique sit encouraging free-movement. It is the upgraded version of sitting on an exercise ball. It took a minute to get used to but then was actually a nice option as an active wellness free movement chair.

SkyViewPendant Pro Light and Audio by Sonocea

Found at Neocon: in the Design Milk Lounge

Circadian lighting and audio immersion in this wellness lounge was a welcome retreat from the busy Neocon rush.

Hyphyn

Found at NeoCon: Arc-Com 1194 | CF Stinson 10-150 | Mayer Fabrics 1173 | Momentum 323 | Pallas Textiles 1181 | Wolf Gordon 3-100 & more!

Great option for a high-performance vinyl, and nice to see in the market that many manufacturers will be offering this technology. Very important and great find in the Metropolis Sustainability Lounge.

Fractal Bark, Fractal Moss, and Fractal River by Momentum

Found at Neocon Showroom 323

Wallcovering from Momentum designed by 13&9 through fractal research. The showroom this year was calming and relaxing using a floor plan map to discover the space through smell and sound.

Cabrio by Extremis (Prototype)

Found at NeoCon Showroom 355

In a time where people are able to work from anywhere, this outdoor work-lounger was a perfect fit for workers wanting to enjoy the outside while being equally productive with sunshade and work tables built in.

Ally by OFS

Found at Design Days Showroom @ 1115 West Fulton Market Floor 2

An interesting entry to the private office sector, with modular components, pieces that can easily be moved around, soft rounded corners and particularly as shown in the photo, a smaller than average height adjustable desk – the focus is more on collaboration than heads down work.

Axis by Allermuir (Prototype)

Found at Design Days Showroom @ 1032 West Fulton Market

Designers have long loved this classic conference table base, but it’s now available with integrated power (no ugly sleeve hiding cords), and with a variety of quite large tables.

Central Bark by Darran

Found at NeoCon Showroom 3-120

I loved this unique and perfectly detailed integrated dog bed!  Darran has been a leader in human-centered design innovations in their office furniture, with a particular focus on thoughtful detailing and seamless integration.  This dog bed has an integrated light, and pushes back to be flush with the adjacent cabinets (with their hidden dog bowls).

Mackinac by Steelcase

Found at Design Days Showroom @ 811 West Fulton Market

In the category of height-adjustable workspaces, the trend in the past years has been to showcase larger and larger pieces (L-shaped desks, conference tables), but this year I saw the trend go in the other direction: smaller desks that place the emphasis on collaborative areas, or conference tables meant for just 2-3 people.

BeSPACE Credenza and Planter by JSI

Found at Design Days

Interesting space dividing components that are getting wider and taller that what were used to seeing.

Want More?

Check out our NeoCon & Design Days 2025 Trend Report here

The post New & Notable Products from NeoCon and Design Days 2025 appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Step Inside

Located in Fulton East, 215 N. Peoria, Chicago, Illinois, Tarkett’s 10,000 square-foot showroom welcomes customers and industry influencers with gorgeous displays featuring new and long-favorite flooring product collections, designed for collaborative and productive workspaces.

The Fulton Market District has transformed into a notable design destination; and the showroom is no exception. In addition to showcasing Tarkett’s latest product collections, the showroom serves as a daily workspace for local employees, as well as a gathering space for client meetings and events. Visitors will find large conference rooms, private offices, open collaboration areas, and a full kitchen—all surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows to bring in plenty of natural light. Here, clients can access Tarkett’s entire library of product solutions, making it an ideal place to gather inspiration for current projects.

They can also enjoy a cozy balcony and expansive rooftop that offers 360-degree views of the Chicago skyline.

Design Days

From June 9–11, 2025, Tarkett is joining leading commercial interior brands in hosting the fourth-annual Fulton Market Design Days. The theme for this year’s showroom is “What resonates with you?” promoting the launch of Tarkett’s latest carpet tile collection: Resonant Spaces.

The collection celebrates the notion that we are influenced by the profound and resounding energies that surround us. And something magical happens when a space resonates with you—an invisible flow of energy, a positive feeling, a harmonious rhythm that draws you in and connects you to your surroundings.

Throughout the showroom, Tarkett demonstrates how good interior design—particularly with flooring and floor accessories—sparks creativity, flows effortlessly, and inspires constantly.

“Well-designed spaces have the power to provide comfort and sanctuary,” says Omoleye Simmons, vice president of design at Tarkett. She continues,

We instinctively expect the spaces we spend time in to resonate with us in some way to provide that level of comfort. As we connect with the energy of the spaces around us, we are inspired to contemplate the unseen beauty that exists beneath the surface of our daily lives. This allows us to be our true selves to engage and enjoy that space.

“The Resonant Spaces collection of carpet tile merges art, science, and design to create workplaces that invite exploration and appreciation of those unseen energies, evoking a sense of depth and intrigue.”

Ultimately, the collection provides the flexibility to create comfortable, collaborative workplaces that infuse employees and occupants with confidence and a sense of trust. Inspired by the invisible threads that tie together people, space, and energy, Resonant Spaces provides the foundation for comfortable interiors that support heightened creativity, deepened focus and lifted spirits. The collection features three harmonious patterns in nine soothing colorways—all available on Tarkett’s fully circular ethos^® carpet tile backing.

Made with up to 79% recycled content, ethos is a sustainable solution for high-traffic spaces where ease of installation and healthy materials are a must. It is non-PVC and Cradle to Cradle Certified^® Silver. The backing can truly contribute to the circular economy by being fully recycled back into itself through Tarkett’s ReStart^® take-back and recycling program.

Styles are also available in Flex-Aire cushion carpet tile.

Three must-see products

In addition to this year’s featured collection, Tarkett is also showcasing a full portfolio of flooring and accessories—the Tarkett Solution SPECtrum—further demonstrating an ability to meet the needs of every type of space. Highlights include:

• The 2025 Johnsonite^® Colors of the Year is a vibrant celebration of nature’s living language, available on all Johnsonite products, including wall base, rubber tile, stairwell management solutions, and finishing accessories. Inspired by the brilliant hues found in flora, fauna, and bioluminescent beings, these six colors are a testament to how the natural world communicates, attracts, and builds community. Each shade embodies the beauty and purpose of nature’s most remarkable designs, inviting us to speak boldly and live harmoniously in spaces that feel vibrant and alive.
• The High Frequency carpet collection, available in three styles, reverberates with positive energy and creativity. Ideal for exuberant interiors, the collection is available in carpet tile and durable Powerbond^® hybrid carpet. Powerbond RS is the world’s first soft surface flooring Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly^®.
• The Color + Light collection of luxury vinyl tile is inspired by the interplay of color and light to enhance spaces and offer a glimmer of joy. Made on Tarkett’s Contour® platform that features a 32-mil wear layer and Techtonic protection, Color + Light delivers unmatched durability—while unleashing imaginations to create perfectly crafted environments from the ground up.​

Design Day events at the Tarkett showroom

During Design Days, the Tarkett showroom will be open June 9–11, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. There visitors can learn more about the company’s flooring solutions. Additionally, Tarkett will be hosting several events and speaker sessions, including:

• Monday–Wednesday, June 9–11, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., The Tarkett^®Lab

Happening during showroom hours, this is an interactive, hands-on experience where creativity takes center stage.

• Monday, June 9 , 2–3 p.m., The Future Is Circular: Advancing Innovation Through Collaboration

Join leading industry experts for a dynamic panel discussion on how innovation, partnership, and bold thinking are accelerating progress toward a circular economy. Speakers: Ren DeCherney, Director-Built Environment, Cradle to Cradle; Benjamin Holsinger, Director of Sustainability, Gensler; Cameron St. Dennis, Strategic Recycling Manager, Tarkett Sports.

• Monday, June 9, 3:30–6:30 p.m., Rooftop cocktail reception

Raise your glass, collaborate with industry leaders and influencers, and enjoy 360° city views.

• Tuesday, June 10, 10–11 a.m., Aging Well in a Purpose-Built Environment CEU

Develop by Tarkett, this course examines environmental design interventions that support cognitive health, visual acuity, and physical safety. This session offers a 1 HSW LU (Health, Safety and Welfare Learning Unit) continuing education credit for IDCEC, AIA, and EDAC. Speaker:  Sandra Soraci, EDAC, LEED AP, NCIDQ Director, Healthcare and Senior Living Segment Strategy.

• Tuesday, June 10, noon–1 p.m., Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Businesses and organizations have a greater awareness about individuals with neuro-sensitive and special needs, such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. But to make workplaces more inclusive, we need to embrace design principles that accommodate various personality traits, work styles, and neurotypes. This panel discussion will share research findings, case studies, and other insights on how we can design with neuroinclusion and special needs, such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia. Speakers: Kay Sargent, Senior Principal | Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors, HOK, Kristi Gaines, Ph. D., IIDA, IDEC | Graduate School Associate Dean, Texas Tech University and Althea Kearney | Operations VP, 2 Hour Learning

• Tuesday, June 10, 2–3 p.m., Spaces of Connection 2.0

For the 2024 Healthy Building Summit, more than 40 experts from around the industry gathered to discuss how space is intentionally designed to enhance human connection. The attendees included designers, architects, end users, researchers, building science, and manufacturers. This panel discussion will share priorities and approaches to creating spaces of connection—and, more important, how to measure the impact of our decisions. Speakers: Jonathan Stanley, Tarkett (facilitator); Rex Miller, Mindshift; Kati Peditto, PhD, DLR Group; Raechel French, Austin Independent School District.

• Tuesday, June 10, 1:30–2 p.m., ICON Educations Learning By Design Awards

This is a celebrate of the most influential people impacting educational spaces. The ICON in Education Design Awards recognize educators, administrators, architects, interior designers, and industry consultants—all change agents who go beyond the norm to innovate learning environments. Meet the 2024 and 2024 winners.

Want to Join Us During Design Days?

Go Beyond the Showroom

New Products | Find a Rep | Order Samples | Life Cycle Cost Analysis Tool

The post Come Inside Tarkett’s Fulton Market Showroom appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

We explore socio-technical design, how communication norms impact hybrid work, how AI is reshaping behavior, why casual “water cooler” conversations still matter, and how leaders can create more human-centric, high-performing environments. Caitlin shares actionable ideas to reset norms, encourage deeper collaboration, and rethink how we use technology without losing our humanity.

Main Takeaways

Socio-technical Design: Successful workplaces must jointly optimize technology and human behavior.

Communication Norms Matter: Balancing asynchronous (email, Slack) and synchronous (meetings, calls) interactions is critical for productivity and innovation.

Micro-Conversations Are Vital: Casual, unscheduled interactions (“watercooler moments”) drive better decision-making and team cohesion.

Notification Culture Is Toxic: Constant pings diminish collaboration and creativity; setting new norms is essential.

AI Must Be Human-Centric: Organizations should treat AI as a tool to enhance human skills, not replace them.

Analog Experiences Matter: Building habits like “no phones in the morning” can boost focus, creativity, and well-being.

Leadership Modeling: Executives must model the behaviors they want to see — like using collaborative spaces and respecting deep work time.

Slow, Iterative Innovation: Real innovation requires time, experimentation, and human connection — not just rapid output. 

Meet Caitlin Begg

Caitlin Begg is a sociologist, researcher, and founder of Authentic Social, an applied research lab based in New York City and Amsterdam. Her work focuses on designing a socio-technical future by optimizing the balance between human connection and technology, with a focus on workplace communication, AI, and digital culture. A frequent speaker across Europe and the U.S., Caitlin also hosts the Progression to Analog podcast, exploring how we stay human in an increasingly digital world. Stay ahead of the seismic shifts redefining the office!

Key Moments

01:39 Analog vs. Digital: How Work Has Changed

03:00 Meet Caitlin Begg: Sociology Meets Technology

04:30 Are We Over-Relying on Tech?

05:50 Hybrid Work & the Communication Gap

07:20 Socio-Technical Design: The 4 Core Principles

09:15 Fixing Communication with Data + Norms

11:00 Asynchronous vs. Synchronous: What’s the Right Mix?

13:00 Watercooler 2.0: Why Micro-Conversations Matter

15:00 Headphones, Smartphones, and Workplace Disconnection

17:00 Setting New Workplace Communication Norms

19:30 The Hidden Cost of Notification Culture

21:00 Managing AI: Bring Your Own or Standardized Use?

23:00 How to Train Teams on Everyday AI

25:00 Prompt Engineering Is the New Literacy

27:00 Progression to Analog: Reclaiming Focus

29:00 The Power of Starting Your Day Analog

30:45 Designing Spaces for Connection and Innovation

33:00 Modeling Behavior: What Leaders Must Do

35:00 Future Outlook: Designing for Human + Tech

37:20 Why Sociotechnical Strategy Drives Business Success

39:00 Start Small: Tips for Personal Change

41:00 Redefining Work, Connection & Innovation

43:00 Slowness, Friction, and the Value of Iteration

45:00 Final Thoughts: The Case for Human-Centric Work

Credits:

• Created & Directed By Bob Fox
• Produced By Work Design Studios

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