Your Office Might Be Killing Your Best Ideas

Spatial Experience Design (SXD)

David Dewane, CXO at Geniant, joins this episode of Spatial Experience Design to unpack why most modern offices aren't working—and what to do about it. David and host Søren Vasø explore how workplaces can either support or sabotage creativity, focus, and momentum. Drawing from real-world examples like recording studios, law firms, and even the Wright brothers' beach workshop, they highlight how purpose-driven environments outperform polished but generic ones. Thoughtful systems and integrated technology reduce friction and support people in the way they need to achieve peak performance. From employee satisfaction to deep focus and creative flow, this episode makes the case for treating your workspace design as a key driver of business success.

Key Topics:

• Workspaces built for engagement and innovation
• Designing for daily outcomes
• Removing friction with technology
• Support employee focus and flow

Smarter Spaces, Better Results

Most offices today are functional. They give people desks, screens, and Wi-Fi. And yet, people are still struggling to focus, collaborate, and get meaningful work done.

If your workplace isn't helping people to do their best work, it's holding them back.

Designing Work Environments for Success

The best ideas don’t come from cubicles or polished boardrooms. They come from environments where people have what they need to think clearly, move fast, and solve problems. That doesn’t mean expensive design—it means purposeful environments, supported by the right tools and systems.
A good workplace doesn't just provide space and basic resources for people to work - it actively supports them by making everyday tasks easier, more intuitive, and less frustrating.

Break Away from the Conventional Office Setup

Most offices are designed around cost per square meter or total capacity. But what if you started with a different question?

What do people need to do their best work—and how can we help them get there faster?
That shift in thinking changes everything. Instead of planning for desks, you plan for outcomes: focus time, creative collaboration, quick access to resources, smooth handoffs, fewer blockers, and so on.

This isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about support.

We’re not talking about trendy furniture or neon signs. We’re talking about tools that help people do their jobs better. Start by asking these kinds of questions instead:

• Is it easy for people to find the meeting room they booked?
• Do new employees get where they need to go without asking?
• Can facilities respond to real-time feedback from users?
• Can tech teams roll out updates without disrupting the day?

These are the frictions that kill productivity—and stall creative momentum.

When Technology Transforms

Technology has become an integral component of the best workplaces. And this is where Spatial Experience Design comes into play.

Now we are integrating technology directly into the environment, through indoor maps, signage, booking systems, feedback tools, analytics, and more. This creates a connected, responsive workspace that:

• Reduces confusion
• Supports focus
• Learns over time

The key is to ensure that your technology enhances, not complicates.

The Future of Smart Workspaces

Whether your team is back in the office, fully remote, or hybrid—you can’t ignore how your environment shapes daily behavior.

How we design our work environments profoundly influences the way we work, create, and succeed. Today’s top performers want tools that support how they work. It's time to rethink the systems that power your workplace, because the status quo just isn't good enough anymore.

Additional Resources:
Crafting Spaces for Innovation
Connect with Søren Vasø
Connect with David Dewane
Our YouTube Channel

Spatial Experience Design is produced by MapsPeople https://www.mapspeople.com