Wates Fit Out graduate roundtable: The Next Generation Workplace
As workplace design continues to evolve in response to hybrid working, AI advancement and evolving employee expectations, our Wates Fit Out business brought together a group of recent graduates from across the built environment sector to discuss ‘what should the workplace of the future look like?’
The roundtable explored what attracts younger generations into the workplace, how employers can create environments that support collaboration and wellbeing, and what the future of the workplace will look like in the years to come.
Chaired by Gill Parker, Founder of Gill Parker Consulting and a recognised workplace strategist with more than 25 years’ experience across the UK architecture and built environment sectors, the discussion brought together recent graduates from Wates Group Construction, Barr Gazetas, Future Designs, LOM architecture & design, and Informare.
The office as a destination
The conversation opened with reflections from Gill on how workplace design has transformed over recent decades, with traditional office environments having fixed desk layouts, personal offices, and rigid working schedules, all of which have gradually given way to more flexible spaces.
A lot of the graduates agreed that today’s office is no longer simply a place to complete tasks, but a destination that offers socialising, collaboration and learning from peers. For many attendees, the office provides an environment specifically designed for productive work, offering access to colleagues and technology that are difficult to recreate when working from home. Isabel Wates, Trainee Bid Manager at Wates Construction London, stated that “early on in your career it’s good to spend time in the office and learn from people, as well as socialise with your new colleagues”.
Collaboration
One of the stronger themes to emerge from the discussion was the value of face-to-face collaboration across all different sectors, including construction, architecture, and marketing. Attendees consistently highlighted the benefits of being physically present with colleagues, to support their work in terms of problem solving, idea development, but also for building and retaining working relationships.
Several people noted that being surrounded by colleagues is particularly important during the first years of employment, when learning and mentoring play a critical role in professional development. Bradley Cole, Intern at Future Designs, noted: “This year is all about learning for me, and seven months into my twelve-month internship as a product designer its useful to be in the office and be present because of how collaborative it is.”
As Lucy Linott, Marketing Manager at LOM architecture and design, observed, many of the most valuable lessons are learned through spontaneous conversations rather than scheduled meetings. “My role involves talking and interacting with colleagues. With our office split over three floors, I often find myself working with people in various areas of the building, and each floor seems to have its own distinct personality.”
Hybrid working
While attendees recognised the benefits of office attendance, there was also support for hybrid working. Most attendees viewed working from home as valuable time for tasks requiring concentration and focused writing. Harvey Whtye, Site Surveyor at Wates Construction, notes, “You can problem solve easily in the office over being at home. However, long and high-focused tasks are better done at home where it is quiet and there is no distraction.”
Many felt that junior employees benefit significantly from spending more time in the workplace, particularly during the early stages of their careers. Henry Flatt, Part 1 Architectural Assistant at Barr Gazetas, stated, “I do really like my one day at home. We are given a financial contribution to support the equipment we need to work from home, as I require two big screens for CAD. Most people at my company would agree with working from home one day a week for productivity; however, for the first three to four months, I came in every day to learn and educate myself on all aspects of the company.”
Whereas several participants shared experiences of starting their careers during, or shortly after, the pandemic and described the challenges of learning remotely.
Designing for different office needs
When discussing workplace design, attendees were clear that flexibility matters, with the ability to switch up their working environments as and when they need to. Desired spaces included collaborative breakout areas, informal meeting spaces, quiet rooms for focused work, acoustic booths for calls and virtual meetings, and standing desk options.
Many participants described the need to switch between different modes of working, from collaborative discussions to concentrated individual tasks, and offices that make these transitions easy were seen as more appealing.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of choice. Employees value workplaces that allow them to select the most suitable environment for the task at hand. Louisa Phillips, Site Manager at Wates Construction, mentioned that it depends on the project and the size of the team, but “if there is more space, it allows for more flexibility as a team, depending on the dynamics of that team.”
However, even when multiple resources and a well-designed layout are provided, the spaces still need to be practical and suitable for work.” Sam Hughes, Bid Management Trainee at Wates Construction, pointed out how his office provides “a wide range of spaces – open-plan desks, meeting rooms, and pods. However, the pods are clustered closely together and lack plug sockets, which makes them far less practical. While my laptop battery lasts well, I can’t comfortably use a pod for meetings longer than an hour.” Ultimately, it comes down to finding the right balance between aesthetics and practicality, creating spaces that are not only visually appealing but also functional and supportive of everyday work.”
Focus
Open-plan offices remain one of the most popular set ups for workplaces, with space for more collaboration, but participants voiced how challenging noise and distractions affect their concentration levels. Scarlett Walker-Hebborn, Junior Account Executive at Informare, noted how much she likes the one large open plan desk she has in her office for brainstorming with the team; however, “It gets quite loud, so I often find myself moving to the other end of the office to focus. Part of it is that there are fewer people around to distract me, and part of it is that the change of setting helps me feel more comfortable.”
The rise of virtual meetings has introduced a new layer of workplace acoustics, with calls often taking place alongside the whole workspace. Several attendees stressed the importance of acoustics or dedicated call spaces. “I see so many positives from open plan desks, however, having different zones would work for a lot of offices”, said Ellie Rogers, Commercial Management Trainee at Wates Construction.
Technology
Technology was viewed as an essential design foundation in a workplace. Reliable Wi-Fi, multiple screens and ergonomic setups were considered basic expectations rather than premium features.
Participants also discussed the growing role of digital collaboration tools and interactive technologies, although with a few suggesting that these should complement a workplace, rather than be a necessity. Harvey Whyte, Site Surveyor at Wates Construction, highlighted future thinking, such as an interactive whiteboard table. “This advanced table has an integrated tablet, which is better than printing but also good for collaborative work and thinking in new ways.”
Hot desking
The topic of hot desking generated mixed reactions. While the graduates understood the operational benefits of flexible desk allocation, many expressed a preference for having their own consistent workspace.
Several attendees noted that familiarity contributes to comfort and productivity, while others also highlighted frustrations around desk booking systems and the time required to repeatedly set up workstations. Harry O’Sullivan, Bid Manager Trainee at Wates Construction, noted, “When I come back into the office, I can always tell if someone has been in my desk. It’s, of course, not a problem, but I then spend time in the morning having to edit the chair, desk and monitor position so I am comfortable for the day.”
Workplace culture
Roundtable attendees repeatedly described the office as a place where relationships are built and knowledge is shared through informal conversations. Together, these aspects are viewed as equally critical aspects of working life that are difficult to repeat when working remotely.
“Relationship and culture building is often done informally, and you want to come into a strong environment – one that cannot be achieved if you constantly work from home,” said Bradley Cole, Intern at Future Designs.
The group also discussed workplace amenities such as food stations and social events. While these alone would not persuade employees to attend the office, they were seen as important encouragement that contributes to a positive culture and employee experience.
The future
When asked to predict the future of office work over the next decade, most participants anticipated a continued shift towards balanced hybrid, rather than fully remote working. While flexibility remains important, there was widespread belief that organisations will increasingly recognise the value of bringing people together in person.
For younger generations entering the workforce, the office continues to play a vital role in learning, mentoring, collaboration and culture-building. The future workplace is therefore most likely to be shaped by environments that provide flexibility, wellbeing, collaboration, and create a strong sense of community and company culture.
For workplace designers, occupiers and employers alike, the challenge is not simply designing spaces people can work in, but creating places where people want to be.
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Wates Fit Out, a division of Wates Construction, specialises in commercial office fit out projects, with a dedicated office in the City of London.
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