A recent study by Gensler found that 67% of the British workforce feel drained by the end of the day due to their current office environments. In fact, those described in the research as ‘innovators’ are said to spend just 3.5 days of their working week in the office, choosing to do their thinking elsewhere.

This suggests that the office model of old has not evolved at the same rate as our working patterns.

On the flipside, however, a European-wide survey by global flooring manufacturer Tarkett found that people still want and need a dedicated workspace. Over 60% of respondents said they are most productive in an office. Though it must be one where they feel they can ‘zone in’ without distraction, and equally collaborate with colleagues when needed.

Rather than slides and ballpools, we believe that what people actually want is far simpler; a place that they can be productive with the ability to create a ‘personal sanctuary’, if you like, set-up to their individual needs. And for this to happen, businesses need to offer their workforce some element of ‘control’ over their surroundings.

Distractions in this area aren’t always immediately obvious. Ringing phones and loud music are a given but, equally, the hum of an air conditioning unit or a coffee machine grinding can cause the same effect.

Increasingly, designers are introducing privacy solutions to help combat some of these issues. A study by Gartner Group, a global technology research firm, found that employees are now spending only 40% of their time at their allocated desks. And so, privacy sofas and chairs, and even micro-environments, are providing space for quiet conversations and ‘heads down’ work.