Workplace Topophilia: Rethinking How We Design for Connection, Not Just Function.
“Topophilia”(A term coined by geographer Yi-Fu Tuan) refers to the emotional bonds people form with places. When weaved into the workplace, Workplace Topophilia is about the concept of designing environments that go beyond aesthetics and efficiency to foster a deeper sense of belonging, attachment, and identity. Sounds like common sense right?
This is not just about cool office furniture or plants in breakout areas. It’s about creating interior designed spaces that reflect people’s values, support their well-being, and feel genuinely human without going too woke.
How It Differs from Traditional Workplace Design
Traditional office design, especially in commercial environments, has historically focused on output: How many desks can fit in the space? Where’s the best place to put the printer? How do we create flow? How do we sit noisy Sally away from quiet Cam?
While functional and cost-efficient, this approach often neglects the emotional experience of being in the workplace. It designs for people, but not with people.
Workplace Topophilia flips that. Are you still with me? We start by asking:
How do employees want to feel in this space?
What elements of the environment make them feel grounded or inspired?
What parts of their identity can be reflected in the workplace?
Instead of same same uniformity, topophilic interior design welcomes personalisation, cultural references, biophilia, storytelling, and even imperfection. Yes. In the age of AI, imperfection = human.
Is It Successful?
In theory, yes. A topophilic workplace can lead to stronger community, increased employee engagement, retention, and greater emotional investment in the company. It can make a workplace feel like somewhere people want to be, not just where they have to be. A perfect recipe to get people back into the office instead of working from home.
However, in practice, be warned. it’s not a plug-and-play model. The success of Workplace Topophilia relies heavily on authenticity. When executed superficially for example a feature wall with inspirational quotes and some token greenery, it can come off as a tick the box exercise.
Things to Watch When Integrating Topophilia into Your Office
Co-create with employees – Don’t assume what makes people feel at home. Ask them. Maybe everyone brings ina picture of their home office setup/surroundings?
Avoid one-size-fits-all – Different teams, cultures, and even personalities attach to things differently. Please don’t run with Topoophilia and think you’ve nailed workplace strategy. It is only one layer of what you need!
Balance emotional with operational – A space must still function well. Don’t sacrifice flow or focus for pretty feel good vibes.
Support narrative and memory – Showcase team history, celebrate milestones, allow for personalisation. Stop trying to look like a company that your not. Figure out what your brand identity is and sing it proud.
Build it over time – Emotional connection grows. Allow your space to evolve with your people. Our most successful legacy clients don’t just rip the band aid off. People also get upset by change so change management should be considered.
Workplace Topophilia is not a trend, and please don’t let people tell you otherwise. It’s just a return to a deeply human way of relating to our surroundings with a new buzz word. It challenges us to stop designing offices like machines and start shaping them more like communities. Done thoughtfully and in conjunction with other proven workplace strategies, it has the potential to make the workplace not just more productive, but more meaningful which is very appealing to the new working generation.
Pocketspace office sketch
Pocketspace desk closeup sketch