Imagine an office as a micro-city, where diverse layers of well-designed spaces cater to the myriad of activities we undertake at work, from periods of focus, to interactive collaboration, learning and sharing, crucial decision-making, socialising and more. Within this ecosystem, each individual can find their own place according to their preferences and personality. It’s a human-centric design approach based upon flexibility and customisation, which many employers are moving towards today to improve happiness and productivity in the office.

Designing this kind of environment within the vast expanse of an open plan office floor can be made easy by starting with a strong base of building blocks, such as the Eden Pod System by Boss Design, an expert in commercial workplace design. Inspired by urban planning, this modular system of enclosed pods can be creatively clustered to adapt to any interior plan and workplace requirements. Made of wood, glass and upholstery and available in four sizes (one-person to six-person), their design is both customisable and scalable.

‘Insights from urban design – like the creation of clusters and rows – shaped Eden’s ability to form ‘neighbourhoods’ within workplaces,’ says Ceri Lovett, Creative Director, Boss Design. ‘For instance, pods can be arranged to create collaborative hubs or private zones, mirroring the way urban layouts foster different types of interaction and activity. The emphasis on scalability and adaptability ensures the pods meet the evolving demands of workplace environments, much like cities adapt to their inhabitants’ changing needs.’

Amidst the pulsing flow of daily work, where corridors can sometimes feel like highways, the Eden pods offer quiet, tactile and comfortable pockets for meaningful and emotional connections to purpose – whether that’s alone, in an in-person meeting or on a video call. ‘Advanced acoustic treatments minimise external noise, creating a calm, distraction-free environment ideal for focused work or private conversations,’ says Lovett, describing the pods as ‘auditory sanctuaries’ that foster stress reduction.

Eden’s design is aligned with Boss Design’s mission to improve well-being at work – part of a wider approach to sustainability, including the use of natural and recyclable materials. Included are a range of ergonomic design options from seating to air control and adjustable lighting to support natural postures and reduce physical strain. Options for biophilic dried or faux greenery, planted roofs and a compatible modular lounge system, Beau, further adapt each pod to its activities.

Beyond a structural architecture for workplace interiors, the pods establish a framework for culture and place, like a modern-day Garden of Eden cultivating harmony between sustainable and wellbeing-centred design. Lovett explains: ‘The name Eden was inspired by the concept of a sanctuary – a tranquil, green space that fosters well-being, focus and connection.’

In the past, commercial offices were defined by divisive, fixed walls, monotonous cubes, and hierarchical zoning, yet this new workplace landscape evokes transparency, communication and warmth, where spaces are additionally more flexible to evolution and fine-tuned to function. Boss Design believes that the comfortable, habitable design of the Eden pods truly has the ability to break down siloed thinking and inspire more positive interactions and experiences at work.

Eden empowers interior designers to become architects of inclusive new micro-cities, where, just like in nature, an inspiring and healthy landscape cultivates an organic habitat for us to thrive within and around. This vision aligns with the core philosophy of Boss Design, that workspaces, where many of us spend a great deal of time, have a vital impact on how we feel, connect and relate to one another – therefore workspace design should not only make us more productive, but make us feel good too.

© Architonic

Head to the Architonic Magazine for more insights on the latest products, trends and practices in architecture and design.