If you’ve been following this series, you know we’ve been unpacking the changing role of the office in a post-pandemic world.

In The Post-Pandemic Office Dilemma - Too Much Space, Too Little Purpose?, we looked at the sheer volume of underutilised office space and asked the big question:

Why do we still need offices at all?

The answer wasn’t about square footage or lease agreements - it was about purpose. Offices today aren’t just places to do work (we can do that anywhere); they need to offer something more.   

In Beyond Four Walls - Rethinking the Purpose of Office Space, we explored how offices need to move beyond being places of obligation and become spaces designed for experience, connection, and flexibility. We also highlighted an important truth: even the most beautifully designed office is meaningless if the culture inside it doesn’t support how people actually work.

But there’s another fundamental reason why offices still matter - one I explored in Reconnecting in the Age of AI - How the Digital Era is Fuelling a Return to Real Human Connection. While technology has made remote work seamless, it hasn’t replaced the deeply human need for physical connection.  

The workplace, when designed and used well, gives us something the digital world cannot: face-to-face interaction, spontaneous conversations, and the subtle but essential social bonds that form in shared spaces.  

Now, it’s time to take the next step.

If we agree that offices need to be more than just desks and meeting rooms, what should they become?  

This brings us to the real opportunity: shifting the office from real estate to community building.

Because at its core, the office is more than a workspace - it’s a social hub, a place where culture is built, relationships form, and people feel a sense of belonging. And that doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through intentional design, thoughtful programming, and leadership that understands the power of space in shaping human connection.   

Let’s explore how workplaces can move beyond function to build real community, and what lessons office design can take from co-living and hospitality spaces that have already mastered the art of bringing people together.  

The Workplace as a Tool for Culture and Connection 

For years, office culture was something companies tried to build through policies rather than places - team-building exercises, corporate values posted on walls, or the classic “company culture” PowerPoint in onboarding sessions.

But culture isn’t something you tell people about - it’s something they experience. And space plays a massive role in shaping that experience.  

A workplace designed for connection does more than just provide desks and meeting rooms. It actively builds culture, collaboration, and a sense of belonging—and that requires more than just good design; it requires leadership that understands the power of place in shaping human experience.

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That means:

Strategic social hubs, not just lounges – It’s not enough to throw in a café and hope people connect. The best workplaces incorporate well-placed, purpose-driven gathering spaces that create a rhythm to the workday. A well-designed central hub - where teams naturally cross paths - can spark the kind of conversations that drive innovation, decision-making, and cultural cohesion.

Programming that transforms space into experience – The best workplaces aren’t static; they’re alive. Leadership should take a cue from cultural institutions and curate the office experience, integrating guest speakers, roundtable discussions, skill-sharing sessions, and creative workshops. When the workplace becomes a place where people come to be challenged, inspired, and connected, it stops being just a place to work—it becomes an essential part of their professional identity.

Diverse environments for different types of collaboration - Open spaces can encourage fast-paced ideation, but what about deep, strategic thinking or high-stakes conversations? Leadership needs to think beyond meeting rooms and consider spaces that enable different types of exchanges: private negotiation suites, project war rooms, creative studios for hands-on work. These aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re tools for serious business outcomes.

Symbolic spaces that reinforce company identity – The physical office should communicate who you are as a company. That means intentionally designed spaces that reflect values and vision—whether it’s an amphitheater-style forum for open discussions, a curated library for research and inspiration, or a rotating gallery showcasing employee-led initiatives.These spaces make a workplace more than just attractive; they make it meaningful.

The office is where leadership has the opportunity to create an environment that people genuinely want to be a part of. And that doesn’t happen by accident; it happens through intentional design, thoughtful programming, and a leadership mindset that values people over policies.

Management's role is no longer just about overseeing tasks. It’s about creating a space where work is meaningful, relationships are strengthened, and the office becomes an extension of a thriving community.

What Offices Can Learn from Co-Living and Hospitality Models 

If we’re talking about the office as a social hub, there are already industries that do this well - co-living spaces, hotels, and even private members’ clubs. These places have long understood that people don’t just need a space to exist in; they need a reason to engage.   

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So, what lessons can offices take from them?  

A sense of welcome – Great hotels and co-living spaces make people feel at home the moment they step in. Offices should do the same. That means warm, inviting entrances, not sterile lobbies that feel more like security checkpoints.   

Spaces designed for interaction– Successful hospitality spaces are built around natural points of socialisation- shared kitchens, communal tables, open lounges. Offices that embrace this design for casual connection will see stronger workplace communities.  

Events and programming that bring people together– Co-living spaces don’t just rely on architecture to build community—they create structured opportunities for interaction. Offices can do the same through hosted events, networking sessions, or even informal socialgatherings.  

At their core, co-living and hospitality spaces are about creating connection and belonging - which is exactly what today’s office spaces need to prioritise.

Let’s Wrap This Up

The role of the office has changed. It’s no longer just a place to work—it’s a place to belong. A place that fuels ambition, nurtures collaboration, and fosters real human connection.

That shift doesn’t just happen through good design—it happens when leaders stop treating offices as cost centers and start treating them as culture engines. When developers stop thinking in square meters and start thinking in human impact. When companies recognise that the office isn’t just real estate - it’s a strategic asset in shaping identity, engagement, and long-term success.

The future of the workplace isn’t about mandates, attendance quotas, or nostalgic attempts to recreate the past. It’s about building something that people actively want to be part of.

And here’s the radical truth: If your office isn’t offering anything beyond a desk and a paycheck, it deserves to stay empty.

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