The office is no longer built around desks
A new research report exploring how movement, collaboration, and spatial design are reshaping the modern workplace.
The Space Between
Based on the analysis of 18 financial services workplace designs completed before and after the pandemic, The Space Between reveals why the future office functions less like a floorplan and more like a connected network. Discover how leading organisations are redesigning workplaces to improve interaction, collaboration, employee experience, and organisational performance.
Why this research matters
For decades, office design prioritised efficiency: desk density, occupancy ratios, and floor area per employee.
That model is changing.
Today’s most effective workplaces are being designed around something far more valuable: the moments when people connect.
The Space Between explores the structural shift happening across workplace strategy, office design, and commercial real estate revealing why movement, interaction, and collaboration have become the new organising principles of the office.
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Key research findings
Three critical workplace shifts defining the modern office
1. Movement has become infrastructure
Post-pandemic workplace designs show a significant increase in circulation space, as offices evolve into interconnected systems designed to encourage interaction, flow, and spontaneous encounters.
Corridors are no longer “dead space.” They are strategic assets that enable collaboration, communication, and innovation.
2. The era of desk-led planning is ending
Research across the analysed floorplans reveals a dramatic reduction in space allocated to traditional desking dropping from 34% pre-pandemic to just 19% in newer workplace designs.
The modern office is no longer defined by rows of desks, but by a diverse ecosystem of work settings.
3. Collaboration is now core capacity
Organisations are dedicating significantly more space to collaboration zones, breakout spaces, social hubs, and meeting areas. The workplace is increasingly being designed to strengthen relationships, accelerate decisions, and reinforce organisational culture.
A new framework for workplace design
Understand how workplace design impacts culture, decision-making, and organisational performance.
The office as a network
Rather than organising workplaces around static occupancy, organisations are increasingly designing around:
- Movement
- Spatial relationships
- Interaction patterns
- Collaborative intensity
- Experience quality
The result is a workplace model that prioritises connection over density and performance over pure efficiency.
Who should read this research?
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For executive teams
Understand how workplace design impacts culture, decision-making, and organisational performance.
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For real estate and workplace leaders
Explore how office ROI is shifting from occupancy metrics toward experience-driven value.
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For interior designers and developers
For interior designers and developers
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For facilities managers and operations teams
Discover why managing workplace flow, movement, and spatial experience is becoming mission-critical.
Download the full report
The Space Between – redefining the office through movement, interaction and connection
Gain access to:
- Original workplace research
- Spatial planning analysis
- Workplace strategy insights
- Post-pandemic office trends
- Actionable design frameworks
Frequently asked questions
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What is The Space Between white paper about?
The Space Between explores how workplace design is evolving beyond desk density toward collaboration, movement, and interaction-focused environments.
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Who is this workplace research for?
The report is designed for workplace strategists, architects, office designers, commercial real estate professionals, facilities leaders, and executive teams.
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What industries does the research analyse?
The study focuses on financial services organisations, including banking, fintech, insurance, and investment management firms.
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What workplace trends does the report cover?
The report covers hybrid work, collaboration spaces, office planning, circulation design, spatial configuration, workplace experience, and post-pandemic office strategy.
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Is the white paper free to download?
Yes, the report is available as a free downloadable PDF.
