Evidence Based Workplace Design
In a competitive and rapidly changing business environment, your office space can either hold your team back or help them thrive. More than ever, companies are recognising the strategic value of thoughtful office design.
What is Office Design & Why Does It Matter?
Office design is the foundation of how your business functions day to day. When spaces are poorly planned, it can lead to low morale, fragmented teams, wasted space, and reduced productivity. In today’s workplace - both hybrid or fully in-person - these issues make it harder to attract talent, retain staff, and keep people engaged.
That is why we take an evidence-based approach to create tailored environments that enhance workflow, boost employee participation, and support long-term business success.
What is the Difference Between Traditional, Design & Build, and Evidence-Based Design & Build?
TRADITIONAL WORKSPACE DESIGN
In a traditional setup, your internal project team is responsible for coordinating all project elements. You may appoint a third-party project manager to oversee the entire process, who then engages with independent architects, designers, furniture specialists, and quantity surveyors to develop the project scheme. However, maintaining clear and effective communication can be challenging due to the involvement of multiple parties with potentially conflicting interests.
DESIGN & BUILD
With a design and build approach, a single company manages the entire project from start to finish. While this streamlines execution, designs are often created based on assumed best-fit solutions rather than deep research. The process relies primarily on the company brief, which may not fully capture the unique needs and objectives of the organisation.
EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN & BUILD
Evidence-based design and build follows a similar process to traditional design and build but is rooted in research and data analysis. Instead of relying solely on assumptions, this method considers how an organisation functions on a daily basis and its long-term goals.
By leveraging workplace analytics, behaviour studies, and business objectives, evidence-based design ensures that the final workspace enhances productivity, supports employee well-being, and delivers a measurable return on investment. After developing the research-backed brief, the company handles full project management and implementation for a seamless experience.
Your workplace is a reflection of your brand, so it's important to ensure that your office space truly represents who you are.
Office Interior Design: Aesthetics That Inspire & Elevate
Great office design is about creating an environment that reflects your brand identity and enhances the employee experience. Our office interiors are thoughtfully designed to be welcoming, inspiring, and collaborative, helping employees feel connected and motivated when they come to work.
One of our recent projects is our work with CDPQ, a Canadian-based global investment firm, on their London office relocation. Through a collaborative process, we transformed their traditional office into a stunning, people-centric workspace. The design integrates biophilic elements, locally inspired aesthetics, and a strong emphasis on sustainability, with 90% of flooring finishes being carbon neutral and all ceiling acoustics 100% carbon neutral.
With sweeping views of Soho, custom-designed architectural features, and inviting collaboration spaces, CDPQ’s office exemplifies how thoughtful interior design can enhance workplace culture. From a hospitality lounge with natural tones and living plants to a central pantry hub fostering connection, this project demonstrates how a well-designed interior can make returning to the office an enjoyable experience.
The Habit Action Approach: Data-Driven & Future-Focused
At Habit Action, we replace any guesswork with the use of data and research to create office environments that truly work for your people. Through our 6D methodology, we guide you from concept to completion, ensuring a seamless transformation that maximises efficiency and minimises risk.
Discover: In-depth research and workshops to understand your needs.
Define: Detailed planning, including space allocation and technical requirements.
Design: Initial concepts and creative solutions to bring your vision to life.
Develop: Refining designs with specialist elements and technical details.
Detail: Finalising every aspect, from finishes to costs and timelines.
Deliver: A smooth execution, ensuring your office is built to perfection.
Office Design & Build: A Seamless Experience
Unlike traditional office designers, we offer an end-to-end solution handling everything from space planning to project delivery. Our expertise ensures that your office is:
✔ Tailored to Your Brand & Culture - Your office should reflect who you are and how your team works. We helped Atlas Copco transform their workspace to enhance collaboration and align with their company values. View the case study here.
✔ Designed for Functionality – We prioritise efficiency, comfort, and usability. See how we delivered a state-of-the-art HQ for O’Connor Utilities built for daily operations and future growth. View the case study here.
✔ Compliant & Future-Proof - Meeting all legal regulations and industry best practices. Discover how our collaboration helped Shoal Group streamline operations to achieve business growth and scalability. View the case study here.
✔ Sustainable & Responsible - Helping you reduce your carbon footprint with eco-friendly solutions. Find out how we supported the Institute of Cancer Research reduce their environmental impact – while also driving cost savings. View the case study here.
✔ Visually Stunning - Creating interiors that impress clients and inspire employees every day. Our collaboration with Veeva resulted in a beautiful workspace that reflects their brand and enhances creativity. View the case study here.
“The design captures the look and feel set out by Atlas Copco, delivering a state-of-the-art, sustainable facility. Since moving in, we’ve seen a 30% increase in occupancy—proving that a well-designed HQ boosts retention, attracts talent, and enhances workplace culture.”– Steve Matthews, Atlas Copco Group
Sustainability: A Smart Investment for the Future
Sustainability is not just a trend but a necessity. We integrate BREEAM and SKA-rated principles into our designs, helping businesses achieve net zero goals while creating healthier, more energy-efficient workspaces.We incorporate best practices in sustainability throughout both the pre-construction and construction phases. As accredited BREEAM assessors, we ensure that our designs meet the highest environmental standards. Our sustainable approach includes:
Reuse of raised access flooring
Tracking carbon in delivery and operation
Specification of sustainable products from the BRE Green Guide
Reusing existing furniture and materials
• Donating or recycling unneeded furniture
• Reusing carpet from previous Cat A fit-outs
• Minimising waste sent to landfills
• Implementing energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning systems
• Maximising natural light to enhance well-being and reduce energy use
We are also an ISO 14001 registered company, adhering to the international standard for effective environmental management systems (EMS). This certification underscores our commitment to reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainability across all aspects of our projects.
Why Choose Habit Action?
At Habit Action, our advisors operate across multiple sectors and regions, offering a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet your unique needs. Our expertise covers but is not limited to our Internal Capabilities:
- A unique workplace strategy tailored to your needs and compliances.
- Unbiased recommendations for determining the highest and best use of your assets.
- Disposal strategy guidance to ensure the highest possible value is realised.
- Collaboration with key stakeholders, including councils, developers, architects, and planning experts.
And External Capabilities:
- Retrofit and refurbishment strategies to meet ESG standards and achieve net-zero carbon pathways, including:
- Net Zero Carbon Auditing
- Brown to Green Retrofitting
- Asset Performance Monitoring and Improvement Programmes.
- Comprehensive coverage of fire safety, health and safety, and GDPR / ISO compliance.
- Coordination of early-stage planning efforts, such as pre-application support to facilitate value creation.
- Transaction management for coordinating disposals and acquisitions.
We also offer an extensive aftercare & warranty programme, with up to a 5-year guarantee and 12-month defect coverage as standard.
