Ideas for shared spaces
Work isn’t one dimensional and neither are the spaces that support it.
Our Design Collection Planning Ideas guide helps designers and workplace strategists create environments aligned to the five work modes: Collaboration, Focus, Social, Rejuvenation, and Learning.
Downloadable 3D models bring each planning idea to life, making it easier to design spaces that support people at every moment of their day. Start exploring here.
Collaboration
Collaboration
People coming together to create, solve, align, or make decisions, from quick huddles to deep project work.
What these environments need:
- Flexible settings that can shift between co‑creation, discussion, and review
- Large surfaces/tools for shared thinking (whiteboards, screens)
- Easy access to technology for hybrid participation
- Comfort + mobility so teams can move, stand, or spread out
- Acoustic support to manage energy without disturbing others
Focus
Focus
Individual work that requires concentration, from quick burst of productivity to deep concentration tasks.
What these environments need:
- Levels of privacy to support acoustics, visual or territorial comfort
- Supportive seating and adjustable surfaces for long stretches of work
- Access to power, lighting, and personal tools without clutter
- Options for both enclosed privacy and open, quiet zones
- Clear sightlines and boundaries that signal quiet, focused work
Social
Social
Connecting, intentionally or spontaneously, to build relationships, culture, and community.
What these environments need:
- Warm, comfortable areas that naturally spark conversations
- A variety of seating styles, from high stools to soft lounge seats, to support different preferences
- Durable materials suited for lively and shared areas
- Clear circulation paths that support natural gathering
Rejuvenate
Rejuvenate
Time for people to unwind and recharge, from a short break to a quiet pause between meetings that help them return with renewed focus.
What these environments need:
- A quieter location away from walkways and busy areas
- Warm materials and textures that create a sense of ease and comfort
- Soft lighting that feels gentle on the eyes
- Seating that lets people fully relax
- Elements that help people reset, such as biophilia or soft textures
Learning
Learning
Moments where people build and share knowledge or skills, from structured training and workshops to quick exchanges that help teams understand something new.
What these environments need:
- Flexible setups that can switch between teaching, group work, and hands-on activities
- Seamless access to tools like whiteboards, screens, and display surfaces
- Seating that supports agile movements and high traffic use
- Good visibility and sound so everyone can follow along, for both in-person and hybrid formats
- Storage and layouts that make it easy to reset the room
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