Revamp Your Hybrid Office Design

The concept of today’s office space has significantly transformed with the rise of workplace flexibility. About 55% of today’s remote workers maintain a hybrid schedule. They split their time between off-site and in-office work.

As a result, time in the office has transcended beyond a place where employees simply complete tasks, to a destination designed for collaboration and interpersonal connection. In this way, modern office spaces have taken on the role of social anchors serving as a catalyst to drive company culture, inspire innovation, and propel successful business outcomes.

With intentional workplace design, hybrid office spaces embody a physical representation of a business’ character and values. “Good design and meaningful connections are a part of a company’s culture,” notes Sharlee Van Tine, AIA, LEED AP, Managing Director at TONO Group. “It is important to understand the hybrid working models, preferences, and personalities of the office in order to create an environment that meets the needs of each person – regardless of how often they are present within the space.”
Van Tine adds that flexible workspaces with inclusive office designs can drive more meaningful interactions among personnel. This focus on engagement often gives companies the best return on investment. It creates an environment where employees value each other’s success and the success of the organization.
When considering a commercial building for hybrid workers, TONO Group shares four important tips to help guide companies.

4 Key Elements of a Hybrid Office Space

Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

Collaboration is more than corporate jargon; it is vital for driving innovation and keeping teams connected. Designing office floor plans that foster collaboration often get neglected. Teamwork happens at different levels from small groups to company-wide formats. But it can and often does happen in the places in between.

Those organic break-out sessions that happen in open zones with comfortable seating or over a cup of coffee in a cafe. Within these environments, staff feel comfortable sparking conversations and presenting ideas. These informal areas can also unite siloed departments and establish connections between senior and novice personnel.

TONO Group drew from the concept of flexible office spaces when designing the company headquarters of SEI Investments. TONO began the project by defining the types of spaces SEI wanted to provide for their employees.

The team created the main workplace in an open area without walls. This design supports the company’s culture of open communication. Different collaboration spaces offer places for people to find a quiet time or work together in groups.

Additionally, outdoor environments, cozy corners with soft seating and acoustic panels, and strategically placed furnishings transform underutilized areas of space into functional zones. Colorful rubber flooring provides vibrant character within the design while establishing creative ways to highlight each zone.

Improved Company Culture

Buildings are integral to our lives and communities. When designed with intention, they create unique experiences. Occupants feel connected to the space around them and to one another.

This connection between people and the places they share inspires the team at TONO Group to design offices in a new way. The designers at TONO pay close attention to how the physical, cultural, and social identities of each space will impact its users. Elements such as amenities and comfort highlight how a company values its team’s health and well-being.

When designing a second corporate headquarters for West Shore Home, TONO Group drew inspiration from their hospitality designs. They aimed to create a comfortable cafe atmosphere within the building’s cafeteria. Different seating options are available. There are casual counter stools to small tables. These choices enable personnel to engage with the space, and each other, in different ways.

A calming color scheme and natural materials are paired with bright pops of colors. This reflects the company’s brand and adds energy to the room. The cafe offers a place for teams to eat and recharge. It also provides a comfortable environment to gather and connect.

Employee Well-Being

Office design can positively or negatively impact employees’ stress levels and productivity at work. The WELL Building Institute recognizes seven office design elements necessary to achieve workplace wellness: air and water quality, healthy nourishment, natural light, incorporation of fitness or movement, comfort, and support of mental and emotional health. Investments in these unseen elements such as temperature control, indoor air quality enhancement, and acoustic performance, can be game changers in terms of employee satisfaction – and performance.

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Heath partnered with TONO Group to transform their 120,000-square-foot administrative office into a hub for employee wellness. TONO
incorporated skylights throughout the facility to enable efficient daylighting and applied a palette of natural materials to create a rejuvenating ambience.

The hospital shows its commitment to employee well-being with health-focused amenities. These include a 24-hour fitness room, cafe, and outdoor seating areas. In a hybrid environment, these features highlight company culture. They also invite personnel to connect with the workplace more meaningfully.

Reduced Cost

A hybrid office design provides the flexibility and adaptability necessary for the building to transform alongside the company. “While predicting the future with absolute certainty is impossible, understanding a company’s potential growth trajectory over the next five to 10 years is crucial,” advises Kyle Solyak, AIA, LEED AP, Operations Director at TONO Group.

“Office design and development represent a significant investment of time and resources. Careful planning for the future ensures this investment will remain aligned with long-term business and employee needs to maximize value.” Solyak notes that technology is often central to ensuring this evolution. Intelligent building systems and controls can reduce operational expenses by balancing and optimizing natural and paid resources. For example, smart controls can autonomously adjust LED lighting based on the presence of natural light.

Intelligent HVAC systems can draw in outside air when conditions allow to reduce heating and cooling loads. Some systems can even sense occupant presence to automatically turn off lights or lower HVAC settings within unused spaces. In many ways, these innovations not only deliver operational cost-savings but also contribute to employee well-being.

Additionally, the hybrid office model often means less square footage is necessary, which can help reduce costs. Similarly, streamlining workstations and interiors can lower overall investment as not all employees will need permanent desk space. Instead, touchdown spaces are common when remote or traveling employees are in the office.

Exceed Your Hybrid Office Design Needs

The needs of each workplace are unique and nuanced. Partnering with a turnkey architectural firm will streamline the process and ensure your vision becomes reality.

TONO Group distinguishes itself by providing a seamless, single-source experience. This integrated approach combines expertise from a cross-disciplinary team of architects, interior designers, builders, and developers.

TONO continually rethinks what is possible with office spaces. The family of interwoven companies works on new buildings, renovations, and adaptive reuse. Together, the team designs places where both hybrid and in-person teams thrive, achieving excellence and innovation. When you’re ready to reimagine your office space, contact us to start a conversation.