What can learning environments teach the working world?

Learning hubs – Spaces dedicated to learning and education enable students to research, share knowledge and upskill themselves and each other in a setting that levels the playing field. Think lecture halls with interactive technology and libraries with spaces that can facilitate group learning. Both create a culture where users can share valuable information and their professional development and career progression is supported. Preqin’s office is a perfect example of how to prioritise learning without compromise on space and user experience.

Amenities – We already know that Generation Z build a lifestyle from where they spend their time. Internal and external amenities that will enrich life at work will ultimately contribute to team-bonding, company culture and overall wellbeing. Socially-focused spaces and third place amenities like coffee shops, bars and restaurants are powerful magnets to the office that will facilitate connection, whilst providing comfort to employees transitioning to work from education.

Flexibility – As well as providing different types of spaces and various touchdown points in between, employers and team leaders need to empower their employees to use this flexibility to their advantage. Educational bodies don’t hold power over how students work – the responsibility lies with the students themselves to discover and develop their working styles and required environments. Educational campuses do, however, acknowledge the need for and subsequently provide spaces that serve many purposes or that can be adapted to an individual or group’s needs makes travelling between work modes easy.

Maximise exterior environments – University campuses consider the outdoors far more than we may think to when relocating to a new office space or refurbishing an existing one. If you have outdoor space, think about how and where you can implement new areas that can prove useful during the work day, promote socialization, and enrich the everyday experience of your employees. If you don’t have outdoor space, think about what’s nearby and how this serves the wider experience of your team – the working day doesn’t begin and end at the threshold of your building.

Wellbeing – Of course, wellbeing needs to be woven throughout your design structure from the bottom up. Generation Z have made a name for themselves through their passion for social issues like sustainability and their commitment to leading healthier, happier lives. Threading wellbeing throughout your workspace, as you would do with your business’ ESG strategy, proves your dedication to doing good by your people, your community and the planet.

So, what can we take away?

Whilst ‘collegiate-inspired’ design is just one approach to preparing the workplace for future generations, it’s clear that its offers a fresh perspective on modern working environments and how they could serve their users. And this isn’t to say that collegiate design elements will work for everyone, but could be part of the solution for businesses looking to attract young talent. What’s most important to take away is that variety of space is key – a holistic workspace and work experience is vital to adequately supporting the needs of individuals of different ages, backgrounds, abilities and working requirements.

Generation Z are valuable to the workplace. They’re helping to shift mindsets and attitudes towards working styles, and are encouraging employers to ask what the purpose of the office really is. In a following series of work, we’ll be continuing to explore how the world that Generation Z has grown up in has altered their perspective on the future of work. Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay up-to-date.