Why the Right Workspace Is About More Than Just Desks: The Human Centred Approach at Ethical Property
When organisations begin the search for a new workspace, the first question is often: “How much space do we need?” some workspace providers may suggest cramming in as many desk as possible, we are proud to be different.
At Ethical Property, we believe the real question should be: “How can our workspace help our people thrive?”
For us, workspace planning isn’t a numbers game. It’s a people‑first commitment. The size, layout, and feel of your office have a profound effect on wellbeing, satisfaction, and ultimately the impact your organisation can make. And research agrees.
Why Space Matters More Than You Think
A workspace is not simply a container for employees; it’s an environment that deeply shapes how people feel and function.
A growing body of research demonstrates this clearly:
- Modern workplaces increasingly prioritise human needs, with wellness, neurodiversity and biophilic design now recognised as essential for helping people perform at their best. [CBRE Adaptive Spaces, 2024]
- Evidence shows that office layout, noise levels, lighting, access to greenery, and the ability to personalise space all directly influence physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. [Colenberg, Jylhä & Arkesteijn, 2021]
- According to the Fellowes Workplace Wellness Trend Report, 87% of workers want healthier workspace benefits, and wellness‑focused offices play a key role in retention, particularly among younger talent. [Kohll, 2019]
- Positive workspace design improves mood, reduces stress, enhances productivity, and supports wellbeing through natural light, ergonomic furniture, noise control, and flexible spaces. [Spencer, 2024]
- Employee satisfaction with workspace is strongly associated with wellbeing outcomes such as atmosphere, social capital, recovery, and self‑perceived future work ability. [Lusa, Käpykangas, Ansio, Houni & Uitti, 2019]
- Wellbeing directly influences retention and performance, with 42% of employees reporting burnout in recent workplace wellbeing research. [MillerKnoll, 2023]
This research highlights a truth we’ve always held:
Space isn’t neutral. It either supports your people or hinders them.
Why Ethical Property Measures Space Differently
Many workspace providers calculate capacity by simply dividing square footage by desk size.
But people are not units to be slotted into a floor plan.
At Ethical Property, we do things differently.
We calculate space with wellbeing in mind.
That means:
- More room per person
- Space to move, think, and collaborate
- All our centres have meeting rooms, with a generous allocation booking credits and break out space
We’re not interested in cramming in desks. We’re interested in creating places where people and purpose‑driven organisations can flourish.
We understand that happy teams stay longer.
Workplaces that nurture wellbeing:
- Reduce burnout
- Strengthen team cohesion
- Improve productivity
- Increase staff retention
A workspace should be somewhere your team wants to be, not just somewhere they have to be.
Space for Doing Good Work
Your work is important.
You deserve a workspace that supports it.
When your team has:
- Room to think
- Room to collaborate
- Room to breathe
- Room to be human
…they do their best work. And in mission‑driven organisations, that impact is felt far beyond the office walls.
Creating Impact Starts with Creating the Right Space
As an ethical, impact‑driven workspace provider, our mission is to ensure your environment aligns with your values, not just operationally, but in the everyday experience of your people.
When you choose Ethical Property, you’re choosing:
- Human‑centred design
- Fair and transparent pricing
- A community of like‑minded organisations
- Sustainable, socially responsible buildings
- Workspaces that feel good, support wellbeing, and help organisations thrive
So, when you compare our recommendations for space with others, you can be assured that we know
when you invest in the right space, you invest in your people.
And when your people thrive, your mission thrives too.
Come and take a look for yourself and book a viewing today
Look out for our complimentary guide to finding your prefect workspace coming out this summer.
References
- CBRE Adaptive Spaces – Why Investing in Employees’ Well-being in the Office Makes Sense (2024).
- Colenberg, Jylhä & Arkesteijn – The relationship between interior office space and employee health and well-being (2021).
- Kohll – Fellowes Workplace Wellness Trend Report – referenced in How Your Office Space Impacts Employee Well‑Being (2019).
- Spencer – Davinci Meeting Rooms – 12 Ways Your Office Space Impacts Employee Well Being (2024).
- Lusa, Käpykangas, Ansio, Houni & Uitti – Frontiers in Public Health – Employee Satisfaction With Working Space and Its Association With Well-Being (2019).
- MillerKnoll – Wellbeing: Space Planning for the Workplace (2023).