Workplace Design

Why Community-Based Design Is the Future of the Workplace

Designing Workplaces Like Communities: A Fresh Lens for Create Spaces

In recent years, the nature of work — where, when, and how it happens — has shifted dramatically. Many organizations now ask: how do we design a workplace that supports flexibility, connection, and purpose? One of the most compelling responses comes from Steelcase’s concept of Community-Based Design — the idea that offices should borrow the social logic of great cities to build environments where people feel they belong.

At Create Spaces, we believe this philosophy resonates deeply with our ethos: places should not merely host work — they should nurture community. Below, I’ll walk through the core ideas from Steelcase’s piece and reflect on how they can guide our workplace design approach in real projects.

The Challenge: Work Gets Lonely on Screen

Steelcase’s research highlights one of the biggest shifts: more work is happening online, even when people are in the office. Many “meetings” are just video calls at desks, not shared face-to-face interactions.

This “living on screen” mode distances us from spontaneous encounters and the casual collaborations that often spark innovation. The upshot? Even in hybrid offices, people feel isolated — and organizations see declines in belonging, culture, and connection.

To counteract this, workplaces must do more than offer desks and meeting rooms. They need to architect social life through intentional workplace design.

Workplace Design

What Community-Based Workplace Design Looks Like

Steelcase’s research highlights one of the biggest shifts: more work is happening online, even when people are in the office. Many “meetings” are just video calls at desks, not shared face-to-face interactions.

This “living on screen” mode distances us from spontaneous encounters and the casual collaborations that often spark innovation. The upshot? Even in hybrid offices, people feel isolated — and organizations see declines in belonging, culture, and connection.

To counteract this, workplaces must do more than offer desks and meeting rooms. They need to architect social life through intentional workplace design.

What Community-Based Workplace Design Looks Like

Steelcase draws an analogy to urban design: thriving cities are rarely cookie-cutter. They are layered — with dense public zones, quiet tucked pockets, walkable edges, and places for people to linger.

When we transfer that pattern to offices, we want:

  • Diverse zones — a mix of open gathering areas, private nooks, semi-public “streets” or corridors that encourage pause.
  • Connected pathways — spatial clarity that helps people move easily between function and social zones.
  • Places to linger — not all spaces should scream “work mode.” Some should invite slow conversation, coffee, or informal gathering.
  • Flexibility and choice — people should sense control over their environment: acoustics, lighting, privacy, all matter.

One critical insight: acoustics and visual boundaries are not mere afterthoughts. Even small adjustments — plants, mobile partitions, and careful adjacency planning — can sculpt how people perceive and inhabit a space.

Also, “quiet” doesn’t mean “dead.” Ambient sound can be healthy if thoughtfully integrated, creating zones that feel safe but not sterile.

The Role of Social Infrastructure in Workplace Design

One of the more striking parts of Steelcase’s article is their nod to sociologist Eric Klinenberg, who defined social infrastructure as the physical and organizational spaces that facilitate human connection — libraries, parks, community centers.

Klinenberg’s work reminds us that the difference between a neighborhood that thrives and one that struggles often comes down to how social infrastructure is built and maintained. In a similar way, offices need social infrastructure — meeting nooks, pause zones, serendipitous cross-team paths — baked in from the start.

It’s not just about planned collaboration rooms, but about the incidental spaces where water-cooler talk, chance encounters, and spontaneous connection can emerge. That’s where culture is often made.

How Create Spaces Elevates Workplace Design

At Create Spaces, we’re inspired by Steelcase’s data-driven approach — aggregating order data, usage patterns, and environmental signals to spot emerging trends in how people use space.

Here are a few principles we carry into client projects:

  • Begin with people, not programs. Instead of imposing a fixed layout, we start by asking where people naturally congregate, where they hesitate, and what moments currently feel disconnected.
  • Layer social gradients. We build gradations: from quiet zones (focus) to semi-open (pairs, small groups) to social commons (larger gatherings). Each space has a tone, a sense of transition.
  • Design for the edges. Corridors, transition zones, and nooks are often overlooked, but they’re where chance collisions may happen. We treat them as design opportunities.
  • Acoustics with care. We embed absorptive materials, buffer walls, and spatial zoning early in the plan. People’s ability to focus or converse depends on this more than many expect.
  • Feedback loops built in. Long before finalizing, we test temporary layouts, watch movement patterns, and adjust. Sometimes a furniture shift or a path tweak unlocks whole new behavior.
  • Foster ownership. We invite users into the design process — giving teams room to adapt their zones, pick their finish palette, or customize boundary elements.
  • Partner for sustainability. Like Steelcase, we believe the physical artifacts of a workplace should reflect its values. We lean into sustainable materials, circular reuse, transparency in sourcing, and design for longevity.

Final Thoughts

Community-Based Design isn’t a checklist. It’s a mindset shift: moving from designing strictly for function to designing for relationship, surprise, and belonging. Steelcase’s research in Work Better Magazine offers an excellent foundation, and as we at Create Spaces bring that into practice, our aim is to make built environments not just efficient—but alive, connective, and human.

Great workplace design isn’t about where we work — it’s about how we connect once we’re there.

Prefrabricated Walls

From Chaos to Clean: How Falkbuilt Is Changing the Way Interiors Come to Life

Smarter Interiors, Stunning Results: Why Falkbuilt Should Be Part of Your Next Project

Imagine walking into a new office, classroom, or studio where everything feels intentional. The layout flows, the finishes shine, and the prefabricated walls rise in a fraction of the time. There’s no dust, no chaos, and no endless delays. Instead, you experience a perfectly crafted environment that’s ready when you are.

That’s the beauty of Falkbuilt prefabricated walls—they’re built with precision, designed beautifully, and installed in days rather than months. Through Falkbuilt prefabricated interior construction, businesses in Boise, Reno, and Las Vegas are transforming how they build. From glass fronts and pods to millwork and acoustic solutions, every element performs beautifully and evolves with your needs.

With prefabricated walls, you can transform your environment more efficiently, reduce waste, and achieve a higher-quality finish—all while keeping flexibility and design intent intact.

What is Falkbuilt?

Falkbuilt combines digital design with real-world craftsmanship through Digital Component Construction (DCC). In simpler terms, we build your walls, pods, and millwork offsite, ship them flat-packed, and install them quickly and cleanly onsite.

As a result, the process is faster, cleaner, and far more consistent.

  • Faster timelines – Projects finish sooner, with fewer disruptions.
  • Sustainable practices – You’ll use fewer materials, reduce emissions, and cut waste.
  • Acoustic performance – Enjoy the privacy and focus that modern work demands.
  • Technology integration – Power, AV, and data integrate seamlessly into your walls.

Because each component is digitally modeled, fabrication happens with precision. This reduces onsite errors and keeps your project on track from start to finish.

Prefabricated walls

Why You’ll Want Falkbuilt Prefabricated Walls in Your Next Project

Traditional construction can be messy, noisy, and unpredictable. However, with Falkbuilt, you get beautiful, high-performing spaces—without the headaches.

Think about it:

  • In a corporate office, prefabricated walls create private offices, collaboration zones, or open glass meeting spaces.
  • In education, flexible layouts and writable surfaces make classrooms more engaging and adaptable.
  • In hospitality, sleek finishes and custom millwork create a polished, memorable experience.

In every case, Falkbuilt delivers results faster, cleaner, and with greater design flexibility. It’s the smarter way to build today—and the sustainable way to plan for tomorrow.

Prefabricated walls

See the Possibilities

Now, imagine the difference:

  • Glass walls that let in natural light while maintaining privacy.
  • Pods that offer quiet zones for focus and productivity.
  • Millwork and finishes that look fully custom but install in a fraction of the time.
  • Workspaces that evolve effortlessly as your teams grow.

As a result, your space doesn’t just look better—it performs better every day.

Why Create Spaces + Falkbuilt?

At Create Spaces, we believe that the right environment changes how people work, learn, and connect. That’s why our partnership with Falkbuilt matters. Together, we deliver furniture, technology, and prefabricated interiors under one roof, giving you a complete solution from concept to installation.

Additionally, our local teams in Boise, Reno, and Las Vegas ensure that every project receives personal attention, responsive service, and regional expertise. Whether you’re designing a new office or refreshing an existing space, we’ll help you build smarter, faster, and more sustainably.

Prefabricated walls

Ready to Build Smarter?

Your next project deserves more than traditional construction. Discover how Falkbuilt prefabricated walls can help you create flexible, efficient, and future-ready environments.

👉 Explore Falkbuilt with us today: https://createspaces.com/falkbuilt/