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ACTIU Berbegal y Formas, S.A.
Blog / Offices / Back to the office: a sensory guide to designing spaces that invite people to return
Back to the office: a sensory guide to designing spaces that invite people to return

Back to the office: a sensory guide to designing spaces that invite people to return

SEPTEMBER 2025
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4 minutes
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Returning to the office should not be a step backwards, but rather an opportunity to rethink spaces based on people's experiences. Neuroarchitecture teaches us that environments have a direct impact on our brains and emotions. So what should the office we want to return to feel like?

It's about designing environments that take care of people, balance productivity with personal life and make the office a place where we want to be, not where we have to be. The answer lies in the senses.

A healthy and motivating office is one that positively stimulates what we see, hear, touch, smell and feel.

Challenges of returning to face-to-face work

Returning to the office raises concerns for employees and companies alike. Here are some of the main challenges:

  • Work-life balance: many workers fear losing the balance achieved by teleworking.
  • Ergonomics and health: spending hours sitting in uncomfortable chairs and at unsuitable tables again can cause discomfort and exhaustion.
  • Commuting: time spent commuting directly impacts on motivation and well-being.
  • Resistance to change: after years of flexibility, not everyone is willing to be forced to return to the office.

To overcome these challenges, the physical space must offer experiences that justify the return and add value compared to teleworking.

What we see: light and visual harmony

Sight is the main channel through which we perceive and process the office. That is why natural light is not only an aesthetic resource, but also a biological necessity. Lighting directly influences our circadian rhythms, the quality of our sleep and our concentration during the working day.

Similarly, the colours in a space influence how we feel: calm tones in areas of concentration bring serenity, while more vibrant palettes in areas of creativity can activate energy and encourage teamwork. Visual order also plays a key role. Uncluttered spaces, with a clean and coherent design, reduce mental fatigue and help keep the focus on what is important.

Top tip? Locate workstations near windows and supplement with biodynamic lighting.

What we hear: acoustic comfort

Sound is one of the most important factors affecting well-being in the office, although it often goes unnoticed. Excess noise interrupts concentration and increases stress levels, which has a direct impact on productivity. To avoid this, it is advisable to design spaces that integrate acoustic solutions, such as sound-absorbing panels or acoustic booths for calls, video conferences and greater privacy. These measures make it possible to create quiet environments in focus areas, without giving up more open and dynamic areas designed for collaboration.

The acoustic balance makes the office a friendlier place, where every activity finds its proper place.

What we touch: ergonomics and natural textures

Touch is directly connected to our sense of comfort. Sitting on an ergonomic chair that adapts to the body, working at an adjustable table or resting your hands on pleasant surfaces completely changes the work experience.

Neuroarchitecture underlines the importance of these elements because they determine posture, movement and, consequently, long-term health. In addition, textures play an emotional role: warm materials such as wood, natural fabrics or soft finishes convey closeness and well-being. If, in addition, these materials are recycled or certified, the benefit is multiplied by adding sustainability and environmental responsibility to the physical experience.

What we smell: clean air and nature

Smell is a powerful sense, capable of evoking memories and emotions in seconds. In the office, ensuring good air quality is essential for health and productivity. Natural ventilation and purification systems help to maintain a clean, pollutant-free environment, improving concentration and reducing fatigue.

To this can be added soft aromas linked to nature, such as the freshness of plants or the smell of wood, which transmit calm and security. Introducing real vegetation into the space, as well as improving the air, provides a positive stimulus that reinforces the connection with the natural environment.

What we feel: belonging and emotion

Beyond the physical senses, the office must generate an emotional experience that motivates people to return. Design inspired by the hospitality philosophy makes the space feel welcoming, like a place that cares for and values those who live there. Well-designed social spaces, break-out corners and meeting areas encourage spontaneous conversation and shared creativity, strengthening the bonds between teams.

And behind it all, sustainability becomes a common thread that connects employees to a greater purpose: to work in a place that not only thinks about their immediate well-being, but also about the future of the planet.

How to measure the success of returning to the office

Designing healthy and sustainable offices is an important step, but it is also necessary to measure its impact. Some ideas for measuring whether the new workspace design really works are:

  • Employee satisfaction: work climate and well-being surveys.
  • Talent retention: analyse whether the new office helps reduce turnover.
  • Productivity and performance: compare before and after implementation.
  • Use of space: monitor actual occupancy of rooms, workstations and common areas.
  • Sustainability impact: carbon footprint reduction, energy efficiency and choice of responsible materials.

These metrics allow an objective assessment of whether the office redesign meets the expectations and needs of the teams. Because returning to the office should not be a mandate, but an experience that people choose to live. Ergonomic, sustainable and neuroarchitecturally designed spaces are the key to transforming the perception of face-to-face work.