Rethinking shared spaces

As more companies shift away from remote work, the office is being asked to do more. In 2020, 62% of employees worked remotely, and by 2023, that number dropped significantly to 19.5% (Srivastava et al., 2024). But the expectations shaped by remote work haven’t gone away. If anything, they’ve set a new baseline. At home, people had access to comfort on their own terms: a stocked kitchen, their go-to coffee setup, a quiet corner to recharge. Returning to the office means more than just showing up. It means reconsidering how the workplace can support the full experience of a day.

For Holland Associate Karen Blackwood, this is where amenity design becomes essential. It’s not about competing with the home office, but responding to what people have learned they need. Small details, like accessible kitchen space, soft seating, or a private wellness room, make a disproportionate difference in how people feel about being at work.

In this journal, Karen shares how the best amenity spaces aren’t defined by trends or square footage, but by how well they reflect the way people work. When they’re aligned with real routines and needs, these shared areas become a natural part of how teams focus, connect, and recharge.

What we get wrong about amenities

Amenities aren’t just perks. They’re part of the architecture of daily life, spaces that help people decompress after meetings, connect with colleagues, or take a quiet moment to reset. When designed with care, they do more than offer comfort. They shape energy, culture, and a sense of belonging. Yet too often, they’re treated as afterthoughts: tucked-away rooms, underused lounges, or wellness spaces in name only.

In many cases, the approach is to copy what’s already been done. But great amenity spaces aren’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one company may fall flat for another. A well-functioning space reflects the specific culture, pace, and needs of the people using it. Innovation starts by listening and designing with intention.

The role of Workplace Mapping

At Holland, we use Workplace Mapping to align design with an organization’s DNA, its values, rhythms, and ways of working. This approach helps uncover what people truly need from their space, beyond surface-level trends.

Instead of assuming a one-size-fits-all solution, we look at how teams move through their day—where they focus, where they gather, and how they connect. This insight allows us to design amenities that feel purposeful, not generic, and that reflect the real flow of work and culture.

Four pillars of amenity design

Our approach to amenities is built on four essential pillars that respond to fundamental human needs throughout the workday. Rather than treating these spaces as optional extras, they're integrated into a holistic strategy that recognizes how people actually work, connect, and recharge. The result is a comprehensive amenity strategy that bridges the gaps between traditional work functions and creates environments that support people in doing their best work.

1. Individual work

Beyond traditional workstations, people need spaces for focused, individual effort that offer privacy, acoustic comfort, and ergonomic support. These spaces acknowledge that deep work requires different environmental conditions than collaborative activities.

2. Creative collaboration

Spaces designed for group innovation provide the right tools, flexibility, and atmosphere for teams to connect and create together. These environments support different collaborative styles, from structured meetings to spontaneous brainstorming sessions.

3. Wellness and restoration

Technology fatigue and mental exhaustion are workplace realities. Dedicated restoration spaces provide essential respite from screen time and cognitive demands. Multipurpose wellness rooms support nursing mothers, prayer, or meditation, while comfortable breakout areas offer moments to disconnect and recharge throughout the day.

4. Connection and culture

Work encompasses both tasks and relationships. Amenities like staff cafés, lounges, and social hubs create opportunities for colleagues to connect beyond work discussions. These spaces foster company culture, build community, and support the informal interactions that strengthen workplace relationships.

Balancing form and function

Designing for both form and function starts by understanding how amenities can best support the specific people using them. Through Workplace Mapping and team input, we identify where design can have the greatest impact, not just visually but experientially. The goal isn’t to upgrade every square foot equally, but to focus attention and resources where they’ll matter most.

In one organization, that might mean investing in a welcoming staff kitchen that encourages casual interaction. In another, it could be a flexible wellness room or a vibrant collaboration hub. The design details shift, but the intent stays the same: to create spaces that people gravitate toward because they support the flow of their day.

Shared, but never generic

Shared spaces can be tricky. When they’re not designed with care, they end up feeling like no one’s space at all. The challenge is making them feel inclusive without being impersonal, and the most effective way to do that is through variety. That means thinking beyond a single layout or seating style. In a kitchen, for example, we might include a large community table for group lunches, smaller café tables for casual chats, and window-facing stools for those who prefer quiet moments alone.

Designing with flexibility in mind helps the space feel more usable and more personal. When people can choose how they engage, whether they want to connect, recharge, or focus, the space starts to reflect their needs. That sense of choice is what transforms a shared area from something generic into something meaningful.

Trends shaping the design of amenities

As needs evolve, so does the definition of shared spaces. At Holland, we’re tracking several emerging trends that are shaping how amenities function and what people expect from them.

• Activity-based amenity spaces: The integration of residential, hospitality, and wellness elements creates environments that feel less institutional and more nurturing.
• Flexibility as a priority: From golf simulators to flexible event zones, amenities are becoming more dynamic and experience-driven.
• AI and tech integration: Sensor-based lighting, occupancy indicators, and digital booking displays are making amenities more responsive and easier to navigate. These integrations help people interact with shared spaces in a way that feels seamless and intuitive.
• Third space expansion: Amenities are increasingly designed to bridge the gap between work, home, and hospitality. They support a mix of focused work, informal meetings, and downtime — all within the same environment.

‍Get in touch with us

Amenities aren’t just an add-on. They’re an essential part of how people experience space. At Holland, we use Workplace Mapping to understand how your teams move, connect, and recharge. This process ensures every shared space is tailored to your culture, rhythms, and real needs—not just what’s trending. By designing amenities with intention, we create environments that people gravitate toward because they’re built for them.

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If you're ready to design shared spaces that truly reflect how your people work and thrive, let’s start the conversation!