Why offices need to design for dwell(being), not just attendance

Hybrid work has reshaped offices across Europe. Most organisations now accept that people won’t come in just because the space exists – they come in because the space offers something worth travelling for. As a result, “dwell time” has quietly become one of the most revealing metrics in workplace design.

Although, it’s not about keeping people in the building for longer. It’s about understanding why they stay.

Before 2020, the office was a default setting. Today, it’s a destination with a purpose. People choose to be there when the space supports tasks they can’t do as effectively at home – collaboration, social connection, teambuilding, and deep focus without domestic distractions.

Dwell time reveals when these needs are being met. For example, if colleagues arrive for a meeting and immediately leave, the workplace doesn’t appear to be geared up for ongoing engagement. If people linger after in-person sessions – staying for informal coffees or using the office as a thinking space- you can be confident the environment is doing its job. Literally.

What makes people dwell in modern workplaces?

In short, it’s a  blend of environmental, emotional, and social factors, which can include:

• Comfort and calm – Acoustics that support privacy, lighting that feels natural (not clinical), and spaces that reduce ‘always on’ fatigue.
• A sense of belonging – Design that reflects identity and culture (think of colour, materiality, and layout) is a great way to encourage people to dwell by evoking a feeling of being a part of something.
• Flexible zones – Breakout areas, quiet corners, reading nooks, creative spaces and project rooms that can adapt to the needs of a hybrid workforce, are key.
• Analogue balance – Tactile, sensory materials that counteract screen-heavy work take the form of natural textures, soft surfaces and even biophilic moments.
• Micro-hospitality – Coffee areas shouldn’t be afterthought, but a place that encourages conversation and lingering. Careful consideration should be given to the types of seating too, as such generosity can make all the difference between staying and going.

Workplace wellbeing has matured from perks to purpose, with neuroscience and environmental psychology consistently pointing to the impact of materials, light, acoustics and sensory comfort on cognitive performance and emotional ease. If the office doesn’t support wellbeing, people won’t dwell – and they won’t want to return day-after-day.

Even the best workplace strategy could fall flat if execution is poor, which is why organisations that design for intentional dwelling – not attendance targets – will organically create spaces that attract people for the right reasons.

This theme runs through our most recent guide, written in collaboration with IA, ‘designing for Dwell(being): Why time, trust and tangibility define the next era of interiors’. Click here to download.