Designing real estate that creates lasting value — for people and for the environment

The open-plan office has become established, almost without debate, as an organisational given. It is readily associated with the flow of information, the availability of teams, and a form of modernity in the workplace — the image is appealing (ArchDaily, 2017). And yet, when we look at what happens on a day-to-day basis, a different reality emerges. More subtle, less ‘spectacular’, but very real: cognitive fatigue. It does not strike suddenly as an incident. It creeps in and takes root through the repetition of small efforts: staying focused, managing demands, dealing with the unexpected, all whilst continuing to produce high-quality work.