Design & Experience

6th April, 2025

CREATING SPACES THAT PERFORM

In the past, office design was often treated as a superficial layer applied at the end of a project – a “paint and carpet” exercise to make the rows of desks look presentable.

DESIGN IS NOT DECORATION

This approach is no longer viable. In a hybrid world, where employees have a choice of where to work, design is a functional necessity. It is the primary tool available to business leaders to influence behaviour, culture and performance.

The modern workplace is not a container for people; it is an operating system. If the interface (the design) is clunky, the user (the employee) will disconnect.

Research supports this shift. According to the Leesman Index, which benchmarks workplace experience globally, employees in high-performing workplaces are significantly more likely to agree that their office enables them to work productively. Conversely, the World Green Building Council reports that physical office design – specifically air quality, lighting and thermal comfort – can impact productivity by up to 11%.

When you consider that staff costs represent 90% of your operating expenses, a design that hampers performance is an expensive liability. The strategic context is clear: do not design for “wow factor”; design for flow, focus and friction reduction.

THE MARIS METHODOLOGY:

ACTIVITY-BASED WORKING (ABW)

At Maris, we move clients away from the concept of “my desk” towards the concept of “my day.” This is Activity Based Working (ABW).

Our methodology recognises that the modern workday is not static. It involves different “modes”: deep focus, collaboration, learning, and socialising. A single fixed desk cannot support all these modes effectively. Therefore, we design an ecosystem of zones:

The Anchor Points (Team Neighbourhoods): While we reduce fixed desks, we maintain “neighbourhoods” for teams. This provides a sense of belonging and ensures junior staff can sit near seniors for osmosis learning.
The Focus Zones (The Library): High-concentration areas with strict “no call” protocols, acoustic baffling and visual privacy. This is the antidote to the open-plan noise that drives people to work from home.
The Collaboration Hubs (The Market): High-energy spaces with writeable walls, higher tables (to encourage standing/ movement), and integrated AV for hybrid brainstorming.
The Social Heart (The Plaza): As noted in the source text, “Social spaces that feel intentional, not incidental.” This is where culture happens. It is not just a tea point; it is a town hall venue.

Brand Integration:

We also warn against “logo-slapping.” Your brand should be felt, not just seen. As we note in our internal guides: “Brand doesn’t mean logos on walls. It means atmosphere, flow, materiality and tone.” A law firm might express its brand through acoustic privacy and reassuring solidity; a fintech might express it through transparency and digital integration.

DEEP DIVE:

DESIGNING FOR NEURODIVERSITY & THE SENSES

A crucial, often overlooked aspect of modern design is Neuroinclusion. Approximately 15–20% of the population is neurodivergent (including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and dyspraxia). A standard open plan office can be a sensory minefield for these individuals, leading to burnout and disengagement.

To create a truly inclusive space, we must design for the senses. This goes beyond the “look” to the “feel” and “sound” of the office.

Acoustics (The Invisible Architecture)
Noise is the number one complaint in workplace surveys. We use the “ABC” model of acoustic design:

Absorb: We specify Class A acoustic ceiling tiles and baffles to stop sound bouncing.
Block: We use barriers (screens, pods, storage walls) to stop sound travelling.
Cover: We install sound masking systems (white noise emitters) that raise the ambient background level slightly, making intelligible speech less distracting.

Lighting (Circadian Rhythms)
Bad lighting causes fatigue. We design lighting systems that mimic natural daylight patterns (Circadian Lighting).

Morning: High Kelvin (blue-rich white light) to suppress melatonin and boost alertness.
Afternoon: Lower Kelvin (warmer light) to signal winding down.
Lux Levels: We ensure 500 Lux at the desk for reading but drop to 300 Lux in breakout areas to encourage relaxation.

Biophilia

This is not just about plants. It is about “fractal fluency” – using patterns found in nature to reduce cognitive load. A study by the University of Exeter found that enriching a “lean” office with plants could increase productivity by 15%.

MARIS TOOLS:

THE SENSORY AUDIT CHECKLIST

Before approving a design concept, run it through this sensory audit to ensure it is inclusive and functional.

Visual Noise: Is the carpet pattern too busy? (High contrast patterns can trigger visual stress in some individuals).
Acoustic Zoning: Have we placed the noisy “collaboration table” right next to the “quiet focus pods”? (A common zoning error).
Proprioception: Do we have “wobble stools” or standing desks that allow for movement/stimming?
The “Escape” Route: Is there a dedicated, non-bookable “Reset Room” where an overwhelmed employee can go for 10 minutes of silence and low light?
Thermal Comfort: Can staff control the temperature in meeting rooms? (Thermal discomfort is a major distractor).
Wayfinding: Is the signage intuitive? (Clear navigation reduces anxiety).

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