3rd edition
BLD Creative
“Lighting that shifts from focus mode to party mode”
Pria Rajput
Repositioning + Creative Strategist
“Employee experience” in office design is all about creating environments that support both the well-being and productivity of employees. For developers, this means going beyond just providing desks and meeting rooms; it’s about designing spaces that foster collaboration, creativity, and a positive work-life balance. It includes elements like flexible workspaces, natural lighting, wellness areas, and easy access to amenities like cafes and fitness centers. For example, Google designs its offices to be highly adaptable, with spaces that cater to different working styles—whether it's quiet zones, team collaboration areas, or social spaces. Developers need to think holistically about how the space can enhance the daily experience for employees, making it a place where they want to spend time, feel connected, and thrive. This focus on employee experience ultimately leads to happier, more engaged tenants, which is a key draw for companies in today's competitive market.
PRIA:
Everyone’s talking about “employee experience” in office design. What does that actually mean for developers?
DN:
Flexibility is everything. We’re working on a Downtown Toronto project where open-concept floors have movable walls, modular furniture, and tech-enabled zones. By day, it’s a sleek coworking spot with phone booths and brainstorming nooks. By 6 p.m., the same space morphs into a networking lounge with live music and local food pop-ups. The secret? Infrastructure that’s ready to pivot—like built-in AV systems, hidden storage for event gear, and lighting that shifts from “focus mode” to “party mode.” Bonus: Tenants can host client events without leaving the building.
PRIA:
How do you design a space that works morning, noon, and night?
DN:
Sure! We’re partnering on a “Clubhouse Food Hall” project based in B.C., converting a vacant downtown office into a hybrid space. By day, it’s a coworking hub with food and beverage tenants. At night, the café tables fold away, and the space becomes an immersive dining experience with themed pop-ups (think: midnight ramen bars or rooftop oyster nights). For the property owner, this model fills dead hours with paying events, while tenants get a built-in perk: “Your office has a VIP lounge.”
PRIA:
Can you share a real example of this lifestyle-mix approach in action?
DN:
It’s a win-win. Tenants want turnkey spaces that help them recruit talent and boost employee retention. Owners get higher occupancy rates and can charge premium rents for “experience-driven” amenities. For example, in Edmonton, a repositioned office tower added a ground-floor wellness garden (yoga mornings, cocktail evenings) and saw tenant demand rise 25% in three months. Even better? These spaces attract foot traffic from the public, which boosts retail tenants and creates buzz. It’s no longer just about leasing space, it’s about curating a destination.
PRIA:
How does this trend benefit building owners and developers?
DN:
