What’s the real reason your office isn’t working? It might not be the space, it might be the strategy.
In this episode of Workspace Design Lab, host Syl Vander Park is joined by Kati Barklund, Senior Manager of Workplace Strategy and Global Chair of Workplace Evolutionaries. Kati unpacks what truly makes a workplace “work” and why the future of office design goes far beyond furniture.
From cultural alignment to data-driven design, this conversation offers rare insight into how leaders can reshape their environments to support performance, purpose, and wellbeing.
If you're an architect, interior designer, or workplace leader ready to go beyond the basics, this episode is packed with wisdom from one of the industry’s most experienced voices.
Key Takeaways
• Strategy starts with understanding the organization’s pain points
• Culture and collaboration often drive workplace transformation
• Data-driven needs assessments are essential
• Physical workspaces must align with organizational goals
• Experience and performance are deeply connected
• Remote work proved employees can be trusted
• Ergonomics and flexibility are key to employee wellbeing
• Asynchronous work can reduce meeting fatigue
• Change management is often the missing link in office redesign
• Being connected to oneself is foundational to workplace fulfillment
Best Moments

00:04:15. “The only reason we have a workplace is for the people and for them to be able to perform at their best.”
00:06:21. “An office culture died a little bit with COVID.”
00:07:44. “We as employees showed in many ways that we were to be trusted.”
00:11:13. “We must be much more like stop to reflect on our meeting cultures.”
00:13:36. “We don't want to be going to work just to collect a paycheck.”
00:15:14. “We can never be too young to be connected with ourselves.”
00:20:00. “We are quite used to things and a little bit lazy and comfortable.”
00:23:56. “I do all of this for people to really make people thrive.”

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Workspace Design Lab | Healthy Spaces, Lasting Impact
📅 New episodes release every 2nd Thursday at 6 AM ET / GMT-4.
Join host Syl VanderPark as we explore ergonomic office design, modern interiors, and sustainable workspace solutions with architects, designers, and industry leaders.
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💡 If this conversation helped you reimagine what a workspace can be, share it with a colleague or client. Together we can design offices that support wellbeing, productivity, and lasting impact.
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