As a leading Australian workplace FFE provider and authorised MillerKnoll dealer, WorkArena has been at the forefront of workplace evolution since 1999. Through our partnership with MillerKnoll, a global leader in workplace innovation and design, we’ve helped countless Australian organisations transform their workplaces to meet the changing needs of modern business.

MillerKnoll’s latest research and insights on Relationship-Based Work reveal a significant shift in workplace design philosophy – one that moves beyond traditional activity-based working to embrace a more nuanced, relationship-focused approach. As experts in furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE), we’re excited to share these insights and explain how this evolution is reshaping the Australian workplace landscape.

The Shifting Purpose of Workplace Design

For three decades, the concept of activity-based working has dominated workplace design thinking. This approach, pioneered by American architect Robert Luchetti in 1983 and later popularised by Dutch consultant Erik Veldhoen, focused on creating spaces that support specific work activities.

However, recent findings suggest that whilst activity-based working remains relevant, it’s no longer sufficient on its own. Today’s workplace must evolve to prioritise something more fundamental: human relationships.

Why Relationships Matter

The latest research from the 2024 Workplace Unlimited report highlights that the most compelling reasons for staff to come into the office centre around human interaction:

• Team collaboration
• Social connections
• Community building

Conversely, when people choose to work from home, it’s primarily driven by practical considerations such as commuting costs and the need for focused work or privacy.

A New Framework for Workplace Planning

At WorkArena, drawing on our 25 years of expertise in furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE), we’ve observed how various work models evolve and revolutionise workplace interactions and design. MillerKnoll framework considers three key levels of interaction:

Community Level:

Spaces that facilitate connections between different groups within the organisation

Group Level:

Areas designed for team collaboration and defined relationship building

Individual Level:

Zones that support personal wellbeing and focused work

These levels of interaction operate across two distinct modes:

• Exchange/Reflect: Supporting the development and sharing of new ideas
• Produce: Facilitating the execution of established processes

Implications for the Modern Australian Workplace Design

This new understanding of workplace dynamics demands a more sophisticated approach to space planning. While traditional office layouts predominantly focused on individual productivity, today’s workplaces require a diverse array of spaces that support both structured and casual interactions across all levels.
The modern workplace should incorporate:

Community gathering spaces

With comfortable and inviting lounge furniture to foster interactions between different teams.

Team collaboration zones

With agile furniture solutions and vertatile side chairs that can adapt to changing needs.

Quiet reflection areas

Ideally with soundproof capabilities to avoid distractions and enhance focus.

Social connection points

Including shared lounge booths and Café-style furniture to support these dynamics.

Focus work environments

Featuring sit to stand workstations and ergonomic chairs to give team members control over their environment.

As organisations continue to adapt to hybrid work arrangements, the physical workplace’s role has evolved from being simply a place to work to becoming a crucial catalyst for relationship building and cultural cohesion.

For Australian organisations seeking to create more effective workplaces, understanding and implementing these principles of relationship-based work design can provide a significant competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent while fostering innovation and collaboration.

As an authorised MillerKnoll dealer with over two decades of experience in the Australian market, WorkArena is uniquely positioned to help organisations transform their workplaces to support this new era of relationship-based work. Contact us today to transform and future proof your workspace.