Insights from the forefront of future of work thought leadership

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” 

– Winston Churchill

There are many things we may assume when it comes to workplace or office design. For instance, we might believe an open plan layout suggests a modern mindset, or incorporating a ping-pong table into the office demonstrates we are edgy and dynamic to young people, or that piping chill-out music through the workplace will help your team relax.

But what if the nature of your business requires heavy concentration with minimal distraction? And what if nobody is going to use the ping-pong table, whether they are young or not? And what if some of your people find chill-out music incredibly irritating? This is where your workplace design and company culture are more important than you think.

Instead of assuming what is best for your workplace and following a template of ‘cool things’ as dictated by other businesses around the world, your office or workplace design should be grounded in evidence that is specific to you and – even more specifically – specific to the nature of your particular site, if your organisation is spread across multiple locations.

This is the difference between evidence-based design and assumption-based design and it can be the difference between having a new design that works for you or is merely a waste of time and dollars.

What is evidence-based design?

Evidence-based design is the process of configuring your office around the culture of your organisation and the way you work, rather than forcing your team to work around an imposed design scheme.

When evidence-based workplace design is correctly actioned, your office redesign or relocation project has the ability to enhance productivity and help your people achieve more. According to Envoplan in the UK, implementing evidence-based office design can even result in real-estate savings, often saving space by up to 30 percent.

The process of collecting then evaluating the evidence to inform your design is a process that needs to be enacted by professionals. By choosing a professional workplace partner, you ensure the appropriate evidence is collected and then applied in the best manner. However, you can start by asking yourself some of the questions a workplace design partner will be asking to move you into the next phase in your company’s evolution.

What is your workplace culture?

Now really think about this question. In fact, you might need to ask yourself a series of mini-questions in order to paint a proper portrait of your company’s culture. For example:

What does your brand represent and how are these qualities reflected in your workplace culture? Show practical examples of how these qualities are reflected in your business, rather vague platitudes; such as how you’re an eco-friendly business and, therefore, you only use sustainable materials in the office, etc.

Is there an overall personality to your workforce? Do you employ a certain type of person – introverts or extroverts or a mix of both? Is your office a multi-generational one? All of these questions help build a profile of your people and how their different personalities can be incorporated into the design.

What are the habits of your workforce?

In this new technological climate of flexible workspaces, the office is no longer the place where everyone works. In fact, it’s highly likely your official company office is only inhabited 50 percent of the time. In this regard, the habits of your workforce will have a great impact on your workplace fitout or design.

As Annelie Xenofontos, Senior Workplace Strategist at Axiom, states, “There’s no use putting Google-style beanbags in the office if your team wear pencil skirts.”

So, once again, ask yourself some further questions:

Do you have a workforce that is united in the way it works and the tasks that need to be fulfilled, or is everyone functioning in a unique fashion? You might have salespeople on phone calls and conducting meetings everyday while there are other members of your team trying to write legal briefs and tenders. This is a case where an open plan office layout could be detrimental to the productivity of your workspace, especially for those who need quiet zones.

Does your workforce move around the workplace across the course of the day? If not, could they benefit from such mobility? Could they – and do they want to – work from home? Maybe you’ve had team members complain about where they are expected to work or other elements of the office?

Where do your company’s aspirations lie?

No business is a static entity, or one that should remain fossilised the same way forever. All companies are organic and can move in whatever direction they wish – with a little bit of careful planning, of course. Therefore, you need to think about your company’s aspirations before introducing a new office design:

What changes would you like to make to the way your business operates on a daily basis? What currently irks you and your team members about your workplace? And – it’s an oldie but a goodie – where would you like to see your organisation in five years’ time? What would your future and the future of your workplace culture look like?

These are just some points of view to get your head around for an evidence-based approach to office design. Once it’s put into action, rest assured, you’ll never rely on assumptions again.

Ask Axiom today about our latest advances in evidence-based workplace design.

Workplace wellbeing used to stop at the water’s edge of smoke-free spaces, artificial plants and brightness diffusers that sat over your computer monitor. But, in today’s workplace, such things are just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll also find that technology is playing an increasing role in the kind of workplace design that facilitates staff wellness.

The CEO of Limeade, Henry Albrecht, is adamant that, in time, the amount invested in wellness and its outcomes will be measureable. What he means is companies will be able to see the impacts of workplace wellness on their bottom-line.

With greater measurability on the cost of investing in a healthy and happy workforce on the horizon, here are some ways that you and your organisation can you get ahead of the workplace wellness curve, with technology that both complements and seamlessly integrates into modern workplace design (when implemented correctly, of course).

What are the latest trends in workplace wellbeing?

Some of the latest workplace wellbeing trends focus on the integration of technology into everyday work environments. This includes the use of wellness portals, wearable devices, connected breakout spaces and ergonomic solutions that support both physical and mental wellbeing. These trends aim to create healthier, more flexible workplaces by embedding wellbeing into workplace design and technology choices.

The latest trends in workplace wellbeing focus on building wellbeing into the way work is designed, not just offering one-off perks.One major shift includes using technology to make wellbeing easier to access and measure at work, such as workplace wellness platforms that centralise support, wearables used for voluntary wellbeing initiatives, better-designed breakout spaces that encourage real recovery during the day, and ergonomic solutions like sit-stand workstations that reduce discomfort and fatigue. The common theme is creating workplaces that actively support both physical comfort and mental recovery through design, systems, and everyday tools.

Wellness portals

If the term is not something you’ve heard before, wellness portals are basically online hubs that serve as a one-stop destination for you and your staff to access health and wellness information (e.g. make a health insurance claim, book into a Yoga class or access other healthy lifestyle features). When integrated with the data collated from wearables (i.e. technology that can be worn close to the body to collect bio feedback), wellness portals can assist HR departments by tracking employee wellbeing on a global scale.

‘Connected’ workplaces are already a key feature of today’s office design and fitout concepts but, as the adoption of wellness portals and wearables ramps up, it is important your office workspace design incorporates the flexibility to adapt to changing technology. Make sure you keep front-of-mind the necessity to have IT infrastructure that can provide your employees with reliable and effective access to tools that will improve workplace wellbeing.

Breakout spaces

Breakout spaces are not a new concept in workplace design. What is new with these spaces, however, is their effectiveness in promoting workplace wellness. Where a breakout space may have merely once had a coffee machine and some unused office chairs near a window, the modern breakout space takes into account a wealth of aesthetic factors – like custom-made furnishings – alongside functionality considerations such as accessibility and effective use of light and sound.

While breakout spaces have traditionally been ‘tech-free’ zones, workplaces are now seeing technology as a positive contributor to relaxation and wellbeing – whether that means following a guided meditation from an app, playing a networked game or chilling out to some music. However, making sure your connectivity is seamless is the key to ensuring your workplace technology functions in this manner – there’s no better way to raise blood pressure than to have Wi-Fi signals dropping in and out!

When it comes to planning an office makeover, it is vital you have a crystal-clear understanding of the purpose of your breakout space. Will it be a room for quiet discussion? Will it be a refuge for employees who may be experiencing a stressful day to escape and breathe out for a moment or two? Will it be somewhere that your people can carry out work away from their desks?

Knowing what parameters you want to set around your breakout space – and, possibly, creating multiple breakout spaces for different purposes – will ensure the resources you dedicate will efficiently boost workplace wellbeing.

Ergonomics

A really simple example of effective ergonomics is the rise of standing – or height-adjustable – desks.

The health and productivity benefits of height-adjustable desks are widely agreed upon. However, the cost of overhauling each workstation with new furniture can be daunting for many office managers. Thankfully, manufacturers are creating sit-stand desk solutions that alter existing furniture to allow for this versatility, as well as the provision of completely new workstations. As the popularity of standing desks has increased so have the aesthetic considerations, meaning height-adjustable desks look right at home and play an important role in workplace wellbeing.

Consider introducing sit-stand solutions with one-touch electronic functionality that can accommodate hot-desking and be easily modified to the height specifications of different employees.

Workplace wellbeing is more than a buzz term - it can give back to your business if you consider it wisely. Click To Tweet And technology should be your friend in workplace wellbeing, so embrace it.

Learn more about creating spaces that promote wellness and wellbeing at work in our eBook: The fundamental of wellness and wellbeing in workplace design.

Creating a Sustainable Office Space: Practical Ideas for Workplace Sustainability

At Axiom Workplaces, we believe that a sustainable office space goes beyond eco-friendly materials. it’s about making conscious choices that enhance efficiency, wellbeing, and environmental responsibility. From implementing energy-saving technologies to encouraging green commuting and mindful resource use, there are countless sustainable office ideas that help transform your workplace into a hub of innovation and care. Workplace sustainability starts with small steps, but the impact grows over time creating a culture where your team and the planet thrive together.

There are lots of reasons to consider implementing sustainable practices in your business. Not only is it good for the environment, but it can reduce overheads in the form of energy costs, improve the health and satisfaction of your staff, and attract customers looking to do business with likeminded brands. Here are some simple changes that will make your office more environmentally sustainable.

1. Go Paperless

Many organisations are well on their way to becoming paperless, but for some businesses, cutting out paper completely isn’t an option. If this is the case, make sure you recycle all paper and change the settings on your network so that paper is printed on both sides. If your company data is sensitive, look for a shredding company that offers a service where the paper is recycled once the information has been destroyed.

Of course, digital documents are easier and more affordable to store and retrieve. They reduce clutter in the office and if your business is in the cloud, the documents can be accessed from anywhere. It’s also a more secure way to run your business, should disaster strike. If you do need to print on paper, make sure you buy recycled paper from sustainable sources and use draft or toner-saving modes for internal printing that doesn’t need to be high quality. Don’t forget the paper towels in the bathroom—hand dryers can be a more hygienic, affordable and sustainable option.

2. Reuse & Recycle

Recycling is one of the easiest ways to make your office more environmentally friendly. Simply set up recycling bins around the office, with dedicated bins for glass, paper and plastics if your building collects these separately. Ink cartridges can be collected by Planet Ark, while electronic waste such as old monitors, printers, computers and cables can be dropped off at your nearest Tech Collect for recycling. If your coffee machine uses pods, recycle your capsules to avoid adding to the landfill toll.

Try to look for ways to reuse items, such as replacing disposable kitchen items with crockery and steel cutlery, or promoting the use of reusable mugs for the morning coffee run. You can also encourage employees to collect paper that’s only been printed on one side and use it as a notebook.

3. Reduce Energy

Reducing the electricity bill is not only good for the environment, but also for your bottom line. Here are some quick and easy ways to save energy in the office:

• make sure your office temperature is the right balance of comfort and cost, by setting the thermostat a few degrees lower in winter and a few degrees higher in summer
• walk around the office and see which areas are being heated or cooled unnecessarily, such as storage areas
• install energy efficient light globes in the office and consider sensor lighting for bathrooms and other places that don’t need to be constantly lit
• switch off TVs, lights and equipment when they’re not being used and disable screen savers—computers screens should go to sleep when they’re not in use
• close applications that you don’t use regularly on your computer and change the setting so they don’t open on login
• use laptops instead of desktops as they use less energy
• turn down the brightness setting on your computer screen to a level that’s both comfortable and energy efficient.
  
  

4. Add Plants

Adding some greenery to your office can do more than brighten up your office interior design. Psychologists at Exeter University found that employees are happier and perform better when living plants are added to the workplace, with a 15% increase in productivity and significant improvements in memory retention and other basic tests.

Plants also emit oxygen and reduce air pollution, making the air in your workplace cleaner and healthier to breathe. It can also reduce noise pollution, which is particularly important in an open-plan workplace. Try to use pot plants evenly around the office, so everyone can enjoy the benefits of nature.

5. Choose Sustainable Suppliers

Many suppliers understand that customers are looking for green products, so look at what your business purchases on a regular basis and see if there’s a more sustainable option. This may include natural bathroom or kitchen products, biodegradable cleaning products and recycled stationery.

Think about how far the products travel to reach you and see if there’s a local business offering a similar product to reduce your carbon footprint. Before procuring services, ask whether they have an environmental policy in place or relevant ISO certifications. Gaining accreditation through the Green Building Council of Australia can also let your customers know that you’re committed to maintaining a sustainable workplace.

As well as providing a more sustainable office, smart workplace design can also create spaces that promote wellness and wellbeing at work. Learn more in our eBook: The fundamental of wellness and wellbeing in workplace design.

Or, to learn more about sustainability in the workplace contact our expert consultants today.

Enhancing Office Sustainability: What Modern Workplaces Need Sustainability in the Office: A Smarter Way to Work

Workplace sustainability is no longer just a nice-to-have it’s now a key part of how modern offices operate. A sustainable workplace doesn’t only help the environment; it also supports staff wellbeing, reduces energy costs, and strengthens your brand image. At Axiom Workplaces, we’ve seen how sustainability in the office leads to real improvements across people, process, and performance.

Creating a more environmentally friendly office can begin with simple changes. Encouraging digital work to reduce paper use, switching to energy-efficient lighting, and engaging suppliers with eco-conscious values are all examples of sustainable work practices. These shifts lead to better results for your team and the planet.

Designing for a Sustainable Workplace

The best sustainable office design blends style with purpose. This might include integrating natural light, using recycled materials, or adding indoor plants to clean the air and improve focus. Smart layouts and low-energy equipment are also key parts of sustainable workplace solutions that reduce waste and long-term operating costs.

An eco-friendly office layout makes it easier for teams to form healthy habits. Features like shared spaces, comfortable breakout areas, and easy access to recycling points all contribute to better routines. Over time, these simple design decisions support a stronger culture of sustainability in an office environment.

Ideas That Support Workplace Sustainability

If you're looking for sustainability ideas for office improvements, start by thinking about how your workplace runs each day. Are your processes paper-heavy? Could your team benefit from greener commuting options? Are cleaning products and kitchen supplies sourced locally and responsibly?

Real change happens through consistent, practical steps. Switching to local suppliers can reduce your carbon footprint. Installing hand dryers instead of paper towels cuts down on waste. Promoting reusable coffee cups and office mugs helps reduce single-use plastics. These are all sustainable practices in the workplace that cost little but offer long-term benefits.

Improving Workplace Sustainability Over Time

To improve sustainability in the workplace, focus on three things: awareness, accessibility, and accountability. Make sustainable options easy to follow and keep your team informed on why it matters. Offering sustainability training or posting reminders near recycling areas can reinforce eco-conscious habits.

If you’re planning an office renovation, factor in sustainable workplace design early in the process. That includes choosing energy-efficient HVAC systems, opting for low-impact materials, and creating flexible spaces that evolve with your team. A growing number of companies are investing in sustainable office spaces because they support both current operations and future growth.

Sustainability That Works for People and the Planet

At Axiom Workplaces, we believe sustainable offices should reflect your values, support your team, and reduce your impact. Whether you're gathering green tips for the office or exploring sustainability in office design, the key is to stay consistent. Every improvement matters from saving energy to reusing resources.

Your office can become a real example of environmental sustainability in the workplace. When you commit to better practices, the impact is visible across staff engagement, operating costs, and your reputation as a responsible business. A sustainable workplace isn’t just good for the earth, it's better for business too.

Conclusion

Sustainability in the workplace isn’t just about being environmentally responsible, it's about creating an office that’s smarter, healthier, and more efficient. Whether you're reducing paper use, saving energy, or rethinking your office layout, small actions can lead to lasting change. Every step you take towards a more eco-friendly office helps your team, your budget, and the planet.

At the end of the day, a sustainable office supports better business. It shows your staff and customers that you care and that you're thinking ahead.
Why Choose Axiom Workplaces?
At Axiom Workplaces, we design offices that go beyond good looks and we build workspaces that perform. Our team understands how to blend sustainability with functionality, helping your business reduce its environmental impact while boosting wellbeing and productivity.

We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. We take the time to understand your goals and create a sustainable office design that fits your culture, values, and future plans. From green materials to energy-smart layouts, we’ll guide you through every step.
Choose Axiom if you want a workplace that reflects your commitment to sustainability and sets your team up for long-term success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Sustainability in the Workplace: Going Green with Purpose

Sustainability in the workplace is more than just a trend—it's a commitment to long-term environmental responsibility. By adopting sustainable work practices, organisations can significantly reduce their ecological footprint while creating healthier, more efficient work environments. The benefits of sustainable work practices include cost savings, improved employee well-being, and a positive brand image.

Environmental sustainability in the workplace involves conscious efforts such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and sourcing eco-friendly materials. Going green in the workplace doesn't have to be complicated—start with small changes. Here are 5 examples of environmental sustainability in the workplace that demonstrate: using energy-efficient lighting, implementing recycling programs, encouraging digital documentation, promoting carpooling or public transport, and choosing sustainable office supplies.

Understanding what sustainability in the workplace means is the first step toward creating a greener, more responsible business.

What is a green workplace?

According to the Green Building Council of Australia: “Green Buildings incorporate design, construction and operational practices that significantly reduce or eliminate its negative impact on the environment and its occupants”.

The aim of a Green Building is to reduce the overall environmental impact or ecological footprint of a building or office, during construction and over the life of the building through ‘built-in’ sustainability.

Building green is an opportunity to use resources efficiently while creating healthier environments for people to live and work in. Examples of building green include:

• Reducing the use of material resources, waste & environmental degradation
• Reducing pollution of air, earth and water in material sourcing & manufacturing, during construction and over the life cycle of the building
• Reducing damage to natural systems & bio-diversity
• Efficient energy, water & resources
• Providing high quality & healthy productive spaces, utilising elements such as natural light and responsive heating/cooling measures

These can all be linked to the principles of sustainable development which a green or sustainable building should reflect: environmental protection, economic development and social development.

How to reduce your office environmental footprint

Reducing your environmental footprint is at the heart of going green in the workplace. These actions help minimise energy waste, lower energy use, cut operational costs, and create a healthier environment for your people.

Here are pro-active things you can do:

Reduce the amount of energy & water usage in your office

• Use sensors to control lights in low use areas & timers for after office hours
• Utilise energy efficient light bulbs
• Utilise natural light/daylighting to its full potential where possible in your office
• Use recycled water for bathrooms
• Look into rainwater storage options on your building
• Encourage water saving practices in common areas of your workplace, e.g. kitchens

Minimise waste during construction & building operations

• Incorporate recycled and/or responsibly produced materials into your building/office design (check ethical production registers for provenance)
• Only order the necessary amount of material & responsibly dispose of any excess
• Consider the heating & cooling of your office space during construction
• Use sufficient insulation to reduce the need for artificial temperature controls thus reducing energy costs
• Increase natural ventilation when building your office space through consideration of window placement, etc.

Use green power

• Research the possibility of creating onsite generation of renewable energy sources such as solar & wind power
• Design for disassembly & material re-use
• Consider the future of the products and materials you are using and how they may be reused in your office space as time goes on

Utilise furnishing & fittings with non-toxic off-gassing

• Off-gassing is the release of a gas that was trapped, dissolved or absorbed in some material. There are concerns that in closed environments some industrial products can produce gases that may be harmful to human health.
• Be sure to research the origins and make-up of your materials to ensure a healthy atmosphere in your workplace

Consider parking & transport to your office location

• Aim to promote use of public transport if choosing a new office location
• Offer storage facilities to encourage use of other modes of transport, e.g. bicycle racks

Benefits of a sustainable workplace

The ROI of going green is now well established. Buildings and offices are seeing measurable benefits across a range of areas, including reduced expenditure, workforce productivity and staff engagement.

Recent studies have shown that green workplaces:

• Reduce the average sick days per employee
• Reduce sick leave costs
• Improved productivity
• Increase job satisfaction
• Talent retention

Some research suggests that as many as 91% of millennials would switch to use a company or brand based on its commitment to social good and investment in things like sustainability. With this pillar so vital to an organisation’s success, it pays to engineer your business environment in a way that’s good for both the planet, and your bottom line.

As well as providing a more sustainable office, smart workplace design can also create spaces that promote wellness and wellbeing at work. Learn more in our eBook: The fundamental of wellness and wellbeing in workplace design.

Technology has transformed the workplace and had a powerful impact on employee satisfaction, productivity and efficiency. Enterprise networks, mobile devices and cloud computing, in particular, mean that work is no longer a place we go: it’s what we can do – wherever. Here are a few ways technology trends are profoundly changing how and where we work.

Working remotely

Today, people no longer work solely from a single, ‘corporate’ office. They work from home, cafés, co-working spaces, meetings, public transport and while travelling.

Advances in secure corporate networking and cloud-based applications mean employees can work anywhere, anytime, from any device. This has led to increased productivity, reduced commuting stresses, greater flexibility and thus higher employee satisfaction – along with improved business operations.

Workplace flexibility

The right technology enables staff flexibility, leading to enhanced collaboration and productivity. There’s no longer a ‘one size fits all’ approach, where all employees must use the same technology; today’s working environment must identify the needs of individual roles and deliver the technology they need to do the job.

Different teams have different needs, so it’s important to consider the technology to best enable them. By giving employees the right tools to do their job more effectively, you’re creating a positive workplace culture and empowering them to take control of the way they work.

Employee mobility

The days of waiting until you get back to the office to complete tasks are long gone. Employees need to be able to access, edit, print, share, search and send information from wherever they are. Think about your technology and consider whether it measures up to today’s standards. Is it mobile-friendly and easily accessible on any device?

Consider the needs of your employees first, then the technology you need to support those needs. Think about where your employees will be working, what information they’ll need to access and who they’ll be collaborating with. The ability to be able to work from anywhere without compromising productivity is as important for your employees’ satisfaction as it is for you. New talent in the market considers mobility a given, so make sure you’re winning and keeping the best by empowering them to work the way they choose.

Virtual teams

More and more, companies are creating teams across geographic boundaries. Shared workspaces, social enterprise platforms and multi-point video conferencing make it easier for distributed teams to collaborate on tasks and deliver cost-effective opportunities for training and education.

Connection is a critical element of developing distributed teams. You’ll need to have robust systems in place and provide top internet speeds, otherwise your employees will spend more time connecting and processing, and less time communicating. Choosing the best technology for your virtual teams does not necessarily mean using the latest platform or the one with the most features. It’s all about ensuring it will best support your employees and business operations.

Looking to drive employee satisfaction and efficiency through technology? We develop strategies to align technology with your workplace design, to help your employees stay productive wherever they are. Get in touch to find out more about our technology solutions or read our Progressive Leaders Guide To The Future Of Work.