The Rise of the Office Hub Model as Data-Driven Employee Engagement Strategy

RSP’s Jenna Sitte and Abby Paul share insights on how the office hub model is transforming the office ecosystem for enhanced collaboration and productivity, all backed by data-driven employee engagement strategy

Fostering collaboration, flexibility and employee well-being is not an office trend—it has become a seismic shift in the world of workplace design. One exceptional example of this trend is a recent project we undertook for one of our national clients, a major healthcare industry player. We took their traditional office layout, overlaid our collaborative workplace strategy, and created an innovative “hub” model that demonstrates the transformative power of data-driven employee engagement and workplace strategy. 

Meeting People Where They Are: Understanding Utilization Data 

To give some context, our team has been working with this client for a long time. In fact, we are in a unique position of acting as an in-house design team, while maintaining the big picture perspective that comes with a client/provider relationship.  

We work on many of their office locations but, in this case, the project was a remodel of two floors designed to support 1,300 employees in a hybrid work model. That is, employees are not required to come into the office five days a week, but can work with their supervisors to create a schedule that works for everyone. The organization’s goal was to “meet people where they are” in terms of how many days a week they come into the office, while at the same time creating engagement and enthusiasm that would naturally encourage people to come to the office more and increase utilization. 

On one floor, we implemented the collaboration hub model. We mixed things up in terms of the types of spaces. We used different kinds of setups like pinwheels, benching, laptop tables, and booths, not to mention a frequently used cafe. This framework makes it easier for people to work together and collaborate. It feels more friendly and social. The seats are not assigned, so a robust reservation system that allows employees to reserve seats or collaboration spaces was necessary. 

On the other floor, by contrast, we did a basic remodel to upgrade the finishes and make it consistent with the look of the collaboration floor, but maintained the high-panel, assigned cubicles in the space.   

The organization and our team believe strongly in data-driven decision-making, so our team leveraged comprehensive utilization data to inform the redesign strategy. By incorporating heat sensors, tracking seat occupancy, and room occupancy, we gained invaluable insights into how employees interacted with their workspaces.   

The Office Hub Model: A Study in Collaboration  

We didn’t know exactly what to expect from the data—would employees stay stuck in their ways? Would utilization go up? Would people prefer their assigned, private workstations on the remodeled floor, or would they flock to the open, collaborative spaces in the hub model? 

Without further ado, the results: Overall, utilization went up. But the most striking change was in the use of the collaboration hub over the remodeled floor. Our heat maps, occupancy sensors and reservation software show a dramatic growth in the use of the collaboration spaces in the hub over the traditional workstations on the remodeled floor.  

From focus rooms that were consistently booked to the introduction of acoustic pods for enhanced privacy, every aspect of the hub model was meticulously crafted to nurture productivity and creativity. Despite its collaborative focus, the space also offers flexibility, accommodating individuals seeking moments of solitude for focused work. And the employees are taking full advantage.  

The “focus rooms” on floor three continue to be the most-used spaces with the highest utilization rates. Overall, the collaboration hub, on average, has four times as many employees working compared to the remodeled floor. At its busiest time, the hub model has more than three times as many employees using it compared to the busiest time on the other floor. 

These results show not just a physical transformation but a cultural shift towards a more open, communicative environment. 

Embracing Change Management: From Cubicles to Collaboration 

When we’re implementing significant office changes, a strong change management strategy is crucial. Despite some initial resistance, the success of the hub model has sparked enthusiasm for further projects aimed at optimizing workspace utilization. By incentivizing leadership to align with employee needs, our client laid the foundation for a more agile, adaptable workplace culture. 

We are seeing this at some of our other national client organizations as well, including one in the financial sector. They are looking at clear operational definitions for various office spaces as part of their strategy and communicating that to employees. They pinpointed hub sites across the country and are establishing their role within these hubs. Similar to our healthcare client, the focus here is on creating an effective office ecosystem. Currently, they are tracking badge swipes to measure employee engagement. Both of these national clients recognize the significant impact of employee satisfaction and are carefully considering implementing hospitality amenities into their programs. 

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Office Hub Model

The impact of the hub model extended beyond mere physical space. It fostered a sense of community and camaraderie. Anecdotal feedback showed the resurgence of employees enjoying late shifts in the game room, underscoring a newfound appreciation for the office as a hub of collaboration and connection. 

As organizations like our national healthcare client continue to refine their office ecosystems, the emphasis on flexibility, collaboration, and employee-centric design will only intensify. By embracing data-driven insights and prioritizing the evolving needs of their workforce, they set a precedent for workplace innovation in a post-pandemic world. 

Through strategic remodeling and a commitment to meeting employees where they are, we are paving the way for a more vibrant, engaging workplace experience. As the paradigm of office design continues to evolve, our insights are guiding organizations toward a future of enhanced productivity, collaboration, and employee satisfaction.