The office has undergone a fundamental shift.
Where it was once a place defined by desks, fixed routines and time spent at a workstation, it is now shaped by flexibility, technology and changing expectations. Hybrid working has accelerated this transition, giving employees greater choice in how and where they work.
The result is a redefined role for the office. It is no longer just a place to complete tasks. It is a space designed to bring people together, support collaboration and enhance the working day.
As hybrid working becomes more established, the office is increasingly valued for what cannot be replicated remotely.
It supports:
This shift means the office must offer something meaningful. It must provide an experience that adds value beyond the home environment.
To encourage people into the workplace, offices are being designed as destinations rather than obligations.
This means creating environments that feel engaging, welcoming and energising.
Features often include:
A project with IQ Capital saw COEL introduce social elements such as table tennis into the workspace, creating opportunities for informal interaction and team engagement. These moments of connection help strengthen workplace culture in ways traditional layouts cannot.
The goal is not to be a distraction, but to create opportunities for natural interaction throughout the day.
Wellbeing is now central to workplace design.
A considered environment supports both physical and mental health, which in turn improves performance and engagement.
Design considerations include:
COEL’s work with I-MEX in Bury St Edmunds demonstrates this approach, using extensive glazing to bring natural light into the workspace and create a bright, welcoming environment.
Similarly, at Wren Therapeutics, softer lighting, natural elements and carefully designed breakout spaces were introduced to balance the more technical laboratory environment.
These features help create a workplace that feels comfortable and supportive throughout the day.
Hybrid working relies on technology to connect people across locations.
The modern office must support seamless interaction between those working remotely and those on site.
This includes:
Technology should be embedded into the design of the workspace, not added as an afterthought.
When done well, it enables a consistent experience regardless of location.
The future office must be adaptable.
Different tasks require different environments, and employees need the freedom to choose how they work throughout the day.
This has led to the rise of:
A project for Jazz Pharmaceuticals illustrates this approach, in which COEL created a highly flexible workspace incorporating acoustic pods, collaboration areas, and a central social hub.
These environments allow employees to move between settings as needed, supporting both productivity and collaboration.
Flexibility is no longer a preference. It is an expectation.
Furniture plays a key role in supporting flexibility and wellbeing.
Traditional desk setups are being replaced with more dynamic solutions that encourage movement and adaptability.
This includes:
COEL’s work with Agile Analog reflects this shift, introducing a variety of furniture settings to support different ways of working. From open plan desks to informal seating and social areas, the space was designed to offer choice and flexibility.
This approach allows employees to work in ways that suit them, rather than being confined to a single setup.
Hybrid working has changed expectations, but it has also created opportunities.
Organisations now have the chance to rethink how their workplace supports their people and their business.
The most effective offices will:
We work with organisations to create workplaces that respond to these changing needs.
Our commercial interior designers at COEL take a joined-up approach, bringing together planning, design, build and furniture to deliver environments that support both collaboration and focus.
By understanding how teams work and what they need from their space, we create offices that are flexible, efficient and ready for the future.
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