The Data Behind Great Workplaces (And How to Build One)

Two years ago, as my company kept growing, I found myself wrestling with a fundamental question about our workplace. How could we build an environment that worked for everyone? 

Some of our team members practically lived in the office, while others dropped in just once or twice a week. Creating meaningful connections while maintaining efficiency seemed like an impossible balance.

The quest to answer this question led me to partner with WORKTECH Academy on extensive research into workplace dynamics. What we uncovered changed my entire approach to office environments. 

Here's what we learned: workplace experience breaks down into four clear dimensions. Simple as that.

P.S. If you want to jump to read the whole report, click here.

Get in, get done, get going 

(The transaction-based workplace)

Sarah drops into our office once a week. Last Thursday, she landed at 9 AM sharp, hosted three client meetings, found a quiet spot for deep work, connected with her team for their weekly sync, and wrapped up by 4 PM. No emails about room bookings. No awkward hallway hovering. No friction.

Want to know how to make it work for your Sarahs? They're the type of hybrid employees who visit the office weekly for key meetings and focused work.

Take Meta's London headquarters – they've nailed this approach with high-level wayfinding throughout the building and tech vending machines on every floor for immediate access to essentials. Or look at engineering consultant Arcadis, who deployed their own app-driven building intelligence system for everything from digital access to touch-free booking for desks and meeting rooms.

Remote but connected

(The culture-based workplace)

Mark leads our sales team from three different time zones. His squad meets in person once a month, but when they do, they need more than just desk space. They need to feel the company DNA, connect with the mission, and tap into the broader team spirit.

Looking to support leaders like Mark? These are your remote managers bridging team culture across time zones, making each office visit count.

At Airbnb's San Francisco headquarters, where their atrium doubles as an auditorium for company gatherings, featuring a 500-panel digital display that keeps everyone connected to company news. Their meeting spaces are named after different cities and modeled after top-rated Airbnb listings worldwide – keeping customer experience at the heart of every discussion. Or look at Patagonia, where they've built their workplace culture around environmental responsibility, offering paid time off for environmental projects and flexible working hours that align with their values.

Office as command center

(The service-based workplace)

Grega practically lives at the office. As our Head of Product, she's running between customer calls, team meetings, and strategy sessions. Her schedule is packed, and every minute counts. With the office handling her personal deliveries and a cozy café where she can decompress between meetings, she makes the most of every day. 

Here's what office-first employees like Grega need: They're your power users who spend full days at the office, juggling meetings and deliverables while balancing work and life.

London's 22 Bishopsgate sets the bar with nine floors of amenities – restaurants, bars, viewing gallery, and gym. The building's 'active commuter park' houses 1,700 bike spaces, 75 showers, and 1,300 secure lockers. Following suit, Booking.com's Amsterdam campus spreads across 1,500 square meters of restaurant and leisure space, complete with a broadcast studio, climbing wall, and 2,500 bike parking spaces.

Home away from home

(The place-based workplace) 

James and his engineering team spend five days a week in the office. They need their space to flex with their work style – from heads-down coding sessions to animated whiteboard discussions. More than that, they need it to feel like their space.

Got teams like James's? We're talking about the office regulars – those who need their workspace to feel like a second home, adapting to every kind of collaborative moment. 

Take LEGO's new Billund campus, where their 'People House' features an auditorium, fitness center, arts and crafts workshop, and hotel accommodation for employees. Or look at Microsoft's Dublin HQ, with its wellness center, in-house bakery, and stunning LED-lit atrium designed to mimic islands and waterfalls – bringing nature right into the workplace.

A wake-up call: Experience isn't optional

Initially, many leaders (myself included) approach workplace improvements tactically – a better booking system here, a wellness program there. But this siloed approach misses the bigger picture and the data is clear: when organizations invest in comprehensive workplace experience, they cultivate environments where trust flourishes naturally and shared purpose becomes tangible. 

It's why at Joan, every strategic decision – from technology implementations to space design to organizational structure – aligns with this holistic understanding.

Want to dig deeper? We've just released our comprehensive research report, "Turning Environments Into Experiences," in partnership with WORKTECH Academy. It's packed with data, case studies, and actionable strategies to help you transform your workplace experience.

Take this quiz to find out which workplace experience dimension fits best with your team.

You can also contact us if you need help building a workplace that works for everyone.

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