Editor’s note: At Studio AsA, the history of how we got to where we are has always fascinated us. Understanding how workplaces have changed over the years reveals past mistakes, what works, and how we can move forward to create better spaces.
The Early Days: Factories and A Sea of Desks
Can you call a factory floor an office? The 1900s witnessed rows upon rows of desks with employees working under strict supervision. These workplaces or boxes as we call it showed little concern for employee well-being or productivity. The goal was simple: maximise work with minimal cost.
Cubicle Farms: Privacy or Isolation?
By the mid-20th century, the cubicle was introduced as a way to provide employees with personal workspaces while maintaining office density. However, as corporate workforces expanded, cubicles shrank. Workplaces began to resemble large poultry farms with caged humans. Instead of improving efficiency, they led to feelings of isolation, reduced collaboration, and a lack of creativity.
The Digital Shift: Computers and Connectivity
The arrival of personal computers in the 1980s and 1990s changed everything. Early computers were large, often shared by entire teams, requiring offices to adapt. But as technology advanced, individual workstations became the norm. Email and the internet revolutionised communication, enabling employees to collaborate beyond physical boundaries. Yet, despite these advancements, offices remained structured around traditional layouts.
The Open Office Movement: Collaboration vs. Distraction
As digital tools reduced the need for paper-based tasks, the early 2000s saw the rise of open office plans. Companies embraced open spaces to encourage communication, flexibility, and teamwork. However, these modern office designs often led to new challenges—excessive noise, distractions, and a lack of privacy. Businesses began experimenting with hybrid layouts that balanced collaboration with focused workspaces.
The Pandemic Disruption: Work from Anywhere
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced a radical shift. Offices emptied overnight as remote work became the default. Employees adapted to working from home, proving that productivity was possible outside traditional office spaces. This sparked a debate—were offices even necessary? Many companies downsized their physical spaces, while others reconsidered how offices should function.
The Future: Workplaces That Attract and Engage
With hybrid work becoming the new norm, offices today are evolving into experience-driven spaces. Instead of merely being places to work, they are designed to support collaboration, creativity, and community. Companies now prioritize:
- Flexible workspaces with hot desking and quiet zones.
- Wellness-focused design, incorporating natural light, ergonomic furniture, and biophilic elements.
- Social and collaborative areas to encourage meaningful interactions.
- Tech-enabled environments, supporting seamless remote and in-person collaboration.
Rather than being a necessity, the best office interiors must now offer something employees can’t get at home—engagement, connection, and a sense of belonging. The workplace of the future is about creating spaces where people want to be.
