# The Rise of Co-Designing Workspaces
The traditional approach to commercial interior design is evolving. Rather than simply selecting from catalog options, more businesses are embracing **co-design** – a collaborative process that puts clients at the center of creating their workspace.
## What Is Workspace Co-Design?
Co-design brings together clients, architects, and interior designers in close collaboration to create spaces that truly reflect a company's vision, brand, and culture. This isn't about picking furniture from a showroom; it's about crafting environments where employees become active contributors to their work experience.
"Co-designing a workspace involves understanding not just what a client wants, but who they are," explains Lindsey Sage, sales director of Tangram Studio. "The process begins with asking the right questions about their vision, brand, culture, and both immediate and future needs."
## Why Co-Design Is Gaining Momentum
Several factors are driving this shift toward collaborative workspace design:
**Technology Expectations**: Modern consumers expect customized experiences across all products and services, including office furniture. This expectation naturally extends to workplace environments.
**DIY Culture**: The do-it-yourself movement has created clients who want active involvement in the creative process rather than passive acceptance of standard solutions.
**Informed Decision-Making**: Internet access has made buyers more knowledgeable about commercial interior options than ever before. Clients arrive at the design table with research, ideas, and higher expectations.
## The Trade-offs of Collaborative Design
Like any comprehensive approach, co-design requires consideration of potential challenges:
**Extended Timeline**: Custom collaborative projects typically take longer than purchasing standard furniture. However, experienced design teams can streamline this process through clear communication and thorough upfront planning.
**Budget and Timeline Clarity**: Success depends on establishing clear parameters early. Understanding budget constraints and move-in deadlines prevents scope creep and keeps projects on track.
**Communication Investment**: The process requires dedicated time from both client and design teams. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions are essential but demand schedule commitment.
## Making Co-Design Work
The most successful co-design projects share common elements:
- **Client Engagement**: Companies that actively participate and provide honest feedback create better outcomes - **Clear Communication**: Regular touchpoints prevent misunderstandings and keep projects moving - **Realistic Expectations**: Understanding that custom solutions take time helps manage project timelines - **Experienced Partners**: Working with design teams who understand the collaborative process smooths potential friction points
## The Bigger Question
As workplace technology and automation continue reshaping how we work, the fundamental question becomes: Does your workspace inspire your team's best work?
A recent study by Tangram Studio found that while client demographics, markets, and budgets varied widely, one factor remained constant – every successful project involved clients and designers committed to creating something meaningful together.
## Moving Forward
Co-design represents more than a trend; it reflects a fundamental shift in how businesses view their physical environments. Rather than accepting generic spaces, companies are recognizing that thoughtfully designed workspaces can embody their values, support their culture, and inspire their people.
For businesses considering this approach, the question isn't whether co-design takes more time or investment – it's whether your current workspace truly serves your organization's goals and reflects who you are as a company.
The future belongs to workspaces that tell authentic stories about the companies that inhabit them. Co-design provides the collaborative framework to write those stories together.
