✨ Subscribe to Show Notes for more from Space by Stansons at https://www.stansons.co.uk/space ✨ In this episode, Guy sits down with Samantha to explore how workplace design is evolving beyond productivity and into something more human, flexible, and experience-led. Samantha shares her perspective on what makes a workplace truly work for people today, drawing on her experience across different cities, cultures, and sectors. From living in Istanbul and working in retail architecture in Ohio to building her career in London, she reflects on how travel, adaptability, and cultural rituals have shaped the way she thinks about space, behaviour, and belonging. The conversation begins at a private members club in Shoreditch, which becomes a fitting backdrop for a discussion about the blurred boundaries between work, hospitality, leisure, and community. Samantha explains why spaces like this resonate so strongly right now: they offer multiple modes of use, from focused work and informal meetings to socialising, entertaining, and switching off. It is a live example of the kind of multifunctional environment many workplaces are now trying to create. A key theme throughout is belonging. Samantha explains that the conversation has shifted. It is no longer just about creating productive workplaces or even bringing joy into the office. Increasingly, clients are asking how to create spaces where people feel welcome, included, and motivated to be there. That means thinking carefully about everything from acoustics and lighting to first impressions, hospitality, activation, and long-term user experience. The discussion also explores how workplace strategy is being shaped by wider market pressures, especially around hybrid working and return-to-office mandates. Samantha talks about the challenge of helping clients plan for uncertainty, particularly when UK real estate decisions are being influenced by policies set by US headquarters. She explains how strategy, design, and client engagement have to work hand in hand to create spaces that can adapt over time. They also explore How hospitality is influencing the future of workplace design Why the welcome experience matters more than most companies realise What clients are really asking for when they talk about belonging How activation helps people embrace change in a new workplace Why flexibility is essential for different personalities, needs, and working styles The role of acoustics, lighting, and atmosphere in helping people focus What cultural rituals can teach us about community at work How workplace design is responding to hybrid working and office mandates Why the best projects come from strong teams and shared excitement How post-occupancy reviews help workplaces improve over time Samantha also reflects on the importance of culture within her own business, the value of building long-term client relationships, and why the most successful workplaces are the ones that make people feel seen, supported, and excited to come in. This is an episode about the future of workplace experience, where design is not just about desks and square footage, but about creating spaces that bring people together and make work feel more meaningful.
