Breathing life into workplaces: how premium coffee activates communal spaces

Designers and architects have long recognised that workplace design is about more than aesthetics. Every surface, light fixture and piece of furniture plays a role in shaping how people work, interact and collaborate. Spaces are intentionally curated to foster creativity, spark innovation and strengthen community within the workplace. But even the most perfectly conceived environment can fall flat if it does not draw people in. A communal space without people is simply architecture – it has yet to become a living, breathing hub of activity.

This is where thoughtful amenities come into play. In recent years, workplace studies – from Gensler’s extensive research to Nespresso's own Workplace of the Future survey – have shown that high-quality, on-site coffee is consistently ranked as one of the most desired amenities (Gensler, 2025). Beyond offering a caffeine boost, premium coffee acts as a social catalyst, encouraging employees to gather, converse and connect organically within the spaces designed to inspire them. Such amenities in the corporate office are no longer optional. They are important components of the type of workplace experience people value (Gensler, 2025).

Spaces designed for collaboration need people to thrive

Designers envision workplaces that facilitate collaboration. Open layouts, flexible furniture, natural light and carefully curated breakout areas are all intended to encourage interaction. Yet without a reason for people to inhabit these spaces, the potential for spontaneous connection remains unrealised. Even the most elegant lounge or communal hub can feel lifeless if employees default to their desks or remote work routines.

High-quality coffee transforms this dynamic. It provides a tangible reason for employees to leave their personal workstations and move into shared areas. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the ritual of the coffee break and the opportunity to engage with colleagues – these elements create micro-moments that turn designed spaces into thriving social ecosystems.

Premium coffee as a strategic amenity

Nespresso Professional solutions exemplify how premium coffee can elevate the workplace experience. Designed for ease, consistency and sustainability, Nespresso machines deliver exceptional coffee moments on-site, ensuring that every cup meets exacting standards. For architects and workplace designers, this is not just about coffee – it is about the role amenities play in shaping human behaviour within the built environment.

By integrating premium coffee into communal areas, workplaces become more than just functional environments – they become destinations. Employees are more likely to engage in informal conversations, exchange ideas and collaborate spontaneously. In other words, coffee is not merely a perk; it is a design tool, breathing life into spaces and supporting the social infrastructure of the office.

Designing the workplace experience, not just the space

The modern office is increasingly evaluated by the experiences it delivers and the engagement it can invoke with its occupants. Gensler’s research on workplace amenities highlights a simple truth: employees are drawn to workplaces that anticipate their needs and enhance their daily routines (Gensler, 2025). Coffee, alongside other well-considered amenities, plays a central role in creating these high-quality experiences. It is one of the few features that seamlessly bridges functionality and social engagement.

By considering amenities as integral elements of workplace design, architects can craft spaces that not only look inspiring but also function as intended. Communal areas transform from architectural statements into vibrant hubs where ideas are shared, networks are built and communities are strengthened.

Workplace attractiveness: Premium Coffee has a role to play

Social interactions are most meaningful when they happen face-to-face, allowing to socialise with peers and clients, creating a sense of belonging, shaping company culture and building a workplace community. For this to happen, employees must be enticed to come back to the office and persuaded to stay. Considering premium coffee not just as an amenity but also as a benefit to improve employee satisfaction, will attract new talent by elevating the perception of the work environment.

The role of a designer and architect is therefore not only to create the spaces, but to improve workplace appeal with employee-facing offers, experiences and engagement to bring company culture to life. Not just designing for people, but including employee feedback can help design the spaces they wish, and the experiences they crave.

The workplace should not be seen in isolation, but as a place of work that fits and interacts with an urban and social environment. Being placed in a vibrant metropolitan area with numerous distractions in the surroundings will have a different impact than a location in a more rural setting.

Nespresso: A partner for the workplace of the future

As workplaces continue to evolve, so too does the role of amenities in defining successful office design. Nespresso Professional offers solutions and experiences tailored to the needs of modern workplaces, enabling designers to integrate premium coffee seamlessly into the environments they create. From large collaborative zones to intimate breakout corners, Nespresso machines help ensure that communal spaces fulfil their intended purpose: bringing people together.

With Nespresso now available on Architonic, architects and designers can explore how premium coffee solutions complement their vision for vibrant, engaging and high-performing workplaces. It is a simple addition with profound impact – turning well-designed spaces into truly lived experiences, activating the human energy that makes work meaningful. Understanding the needs of designers and architects, Nespresso provides Revit Families of its machines that allow not just to place a coffee machine, but to create the experience around these points of social interaction.

Transforming spaces with the right tools

Designing a high-performing workplace is about more than choosing the right materials or arranging furniture. It is about understanding human behaviour and creating conditions for meaningful interaction. Premium coffee, as the number one on-site amenity, is a subtle but powerful tool for transforming spaces from static environments into dynamic, communal ecosystems.

With Nespresso Professional, designers can breathe life into the spaces they envision – ensuring that every lounge, café area or breakout zone not only exists but thrives as the social and creative heart of the workplace. After all, a space without people is just architecture; a space with coffee is where ideas and connections truly flourish.

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