Living Office

Taking Care of Business

Six animated vignettes showing various work settings, Herman Miller furniture, and people interacting.

Around the world, across industries, and at companies both large and small, Living Office is empowering organizations to do more for their people—and benefit more from the results.

There are fundamental reasons why people are motivated to work. To name just a few, we desire security and a sense that we have the autonomy to control our own circumstances. We like to be recognized for our achievements and find purpose in something greater than ourselves. Businesses, ultimately, aren’t that different from people. They, too, have needs to fulfill—things like revenue, profit, and growth—in order to realize their purpose. To satisfy those needs, the individuals running businesses set strategies and define priorities.

Through research and interactions with clients around the globe, Herman Miller has compiled a list of common priorities outlined by our customers. We’ve also conducted a robust research study of select organizations with Living Office workplaces. Through a variety of methods, we captured qualitative and quantitative data before, during, and after the realization of Living Office workplaces. Our analysis of this data proves that Living Office elevates the experience of work for people through a more deeply considered, human-centered approach, and helps organizations achieve strategic goals.

Here, we examine these business priorities and share data that demonstrates how having a Living Office is helping organizations from a variety of industries, in diverse locations, and with differing needs and goals. From large, multinational organizations, such as ManpowerGroup and Mars Drinks, to rapidly growing start-ups like Harry’s, the results are clear: Living Office has helped people feel more creative, connected, and engaged in their work. In turn, their businesses are seeing greater efficiency, productivity, and innovation.

A small circle containing an animated depiction of a woman in profile.

Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

People define the problems, imagine the ideas, and create the solutions that deliver value. That’s why a workplace that helps draw—and keep—top talent is essential.

“The whole concept of Living Office is to elevate the pride and joy that people have spending time at the office every day.”

– Gary Slack, CEO, Slack and Company

Two women and a man review a project at work.
  • A bar graph comparing employee pride before and after adopting a Living Office.
  • A bar graph comparing employee perceptions of their work environment before and after adopting a Living Office.
A small circle containing an illustration of a lightbulb.

Stimulating Innovation

In a world where the most successful organizations are the ones that generate better ideas faster, companies aim to create workplaces primed for creativity.

A man and woman sitting in blue Sayl office chairs lean on a table to discuss a project.

“We created a space that allows people to do all kinds of different activities. You can create any kind of layout and support the creative flow throughout the entire office.”

– Qin Li, Director of Industrial Design, fuseproject

  • A bar graph comparing employee perceptions of organizational interest in new ideas before and after adopting a Living Office.
  • A bar graph comparing employee perceptions of informal interaction before and after adopting a Living Office.
A small circle containing an illustration of a clock face.

Increasing Efficiency

Optimizing processes helps people work more effectively. When workplace elements combine methodically to support the work people engage in and the tools they use, it helps drive down unnecessary costs.

“We created a space that allows people to do all kinds of different activities. You can create any kind of layout and support the creative flow throughout the entire office.”

– Leader, Tavistock Development Company

Three seated colleagues share a laugh around a table in a break area.
  • A bar graph comparing employee perceptions of workplace comfort before and after adopting a Living Office.
  • A bar graph comparing employee perceptions of workplace flexibility before and after adopting a Living Office.
A small circle containing an animated depiction of three people with dialog boxes.

Promoting Knowledge Sharing

With more than 40 percent of the workforce due to retire in the next five years, organizations often want to create workplaces where knowledge transfer happens more seamlessly.

“I see people that I haven’t seen in severalyears every day now. That is what this project was all about—bringing us together.”

– Christie McCullough, Senior Interior Designer, Earl Swensson Associates

Four people interact outside a modern building, on a grassy area overlooking railroad tracks.
  • A bar graph comparing employee perceptions of co-worker accessibility before and after adopting a Living Office.
  • A bar graph comparing employee perceptions of impromptu meetings before and after adopting a Living Office.
A small circle containing an animated depiction of a standing woman in profile.

Strengthening Brand Connection

A brand’s power lies in its recognition and trustworthiness. A workplace that is designed to express unique purpose and character can strengthen both.

“Our Living Office can change and constantly evolve, and that’s very much aligned with how we think about growing our whole business.”

– Jeff Raider, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Harry’s

Two men in Sayl office chairs work next to each other in an open office with a benching setup.
  • A bar graph comparing employee perceptions of organizational alignment before and after adopting a Living Office.
  • A bar graph comparing employee perceptions of corporate image before and after adopting a Living Office.
Three seated men review fabric samples.

Groomed for Growth

Harry’s new Manhattan workplace is transforming its business as its business transforms.

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