Future of Office: Next Generation Workplace Design

Kay Sargent, a recognized expert in workplace design and strategy with over 30 years of experience, shares her journey and insights into the future of workplace design. As Senior Principal and Director of Strategic Global Accounts at HOK, Kay has helped companies optimize their real estate portfolios and create innovative work environments.

Kay's interest in design began at a young age, drawing house plans and taking drafting classes in high school. She pursued a design degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and studied environmental design at Parsons School of Design. Early in her career, she started the first CADD department in Washington, DC, but soon realized the importance of not being pigeonholed into technology roles, leading her to focus on broader aspects of design and workplace strategy.

Kay emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and curiosity in design. She believes that understanding clients' needs and asking the right questions is crucial to solving workplace challenges. The rapid pace of change in technology and business requires designers to be forward-thinking and adaptable.

Designing for Agility and Flexibility

Kay notes that the traditional approach of designing a workspace once every ten years is no longer viable. The speed of change necessitates embedding flexibility and agility into workplace design. Organizations must be willing to continually assess and adjust their spaces to accommodate new technologies, business models, and evolving demographics.

She draws a parallel to the IT industry, where technology is frequently updated, and suggests that workplaces should adopt a similar mindset. Keeping spaces fresh and relevant is essential for supporting modern workstyles.

Technology and the Agile Workplace

Kay predicts significant changes in the next decade, particularly with the integration of the Internet of Things (IoT), beacon technology, and sensors. These technologies can provide valuable data on space usage and allow for personalized adjustments to temperature, lighting, and other environmental factors. She envisions a future where technology is as ubiquitous and accessible as chairs in a workspace, eliminating the need for employees to carry heavy devices.

Trends in Workplace Design

The biggest trend Kay observes is the emphasis on variety, choice, and options for employees. Workplaces must accommodate diverse groups—across ethnicity, gender, age, and workstyles—by providing both quiet spaces and collaborative areas. Empowering employees and giving them choices leads to higher engagement and productivity.

Kay warns against focusing solely on real estate costs, noting that human capital is the largest expense for most companies. Poorly designed spaces can negatively impact employee productivity, engagement, and well-being, ultimately affecting the bottom line more than real estate savings.

Human-Centric and Balanced Design

Kay stresses the importance of understanding who the future worker is, rather than just what the future workplace should be. With Generation Z entering the workforce, organizations must recognize their unique needs and challenges, such as being digital natives yet overwhelmed by constant stimulation and information overload. Creating balanced, clear, and supportive environments is essential for all employees to perform at their best.

She highlights that meeting basic needs—comfort, safety, the right environment for concentration or collaboration—is more important than generational traits. The type of work being done should guide design decisions, with options and choices tailored to different tasks and preferences.

Avoiding the Benchmarking Trap

Kay cautions against blindly following industry benchmarks, as they may not reflect what works for a specific organization. Instead, companies should focus on understanding their own regional influences, industry, workstyles, demographics, corporate culture, and organizational structure. Solutions become clear when organizations truly know themselves and their people.

Advice for Future Designers

For students and aspiring designers, Kay advises pursuing a well-rounded education and embracing lifelong learning. The field of design is increasingly complex, with many opportunities for specialization. She encourages openness to new experiences and the willingness to explore different areas within the profession. Being nimble and adaptable has been key to her long and varied career in design.

Final Thoughts

Kay Sargent's insights underscore the shift from designing static workplaces to creating dynamic, human-centric environments that evolve with technology and the needs of a diverse workforce. The focus should be on understanding and supporting the people who use these spaces, ensuring their well-being, engagement, and productivity.