It’s not every day that you get to host one of the UK’s most respected voices in workplace design... but that’s exactly what we did at OfficeMaster, as Adrian Campbell, Head of Workplace Consultancy at The Senator Group, visited our Cork and Waterford showrooms for two insightful events in March.
Adrian brought with him his latest whitepaper, The Right Space, and shared deep insights from his research into how we feel about where we work - and why. Over two days, we welcomed architects, interior designers, HR professionals, and facilities leaders to take part in a timely conversation about what the modern office should be in an age of hybrid working.
The Power of People-First Design
At the heart of Adrian’s presentation was a message that resonates deeply with us at OfficeMaster: workplace design isn’t just about spaces - it’s about people. Drawing on neuroscience, behavioural psychology, and practical data, Adrian demonstrated how the right environment can elevate collaboration, focus, and employee wellbeing.
His message was clear: if we want people to return to the office - and want to be there - we must design places that offer more than just desks and devices. Offices must compete with the comfort and control of home, and the best way to do that is by creating spaces that inspire, support, and empower.
Five Words That Define Experience
One of the standout elements of Adrian’s talk was his exploration of five key emotional themes that emerged from user research:
-
Control – The ability to manage your space, time, and environment
-
Sound – Managing acoustic comfort for focus and interaction
-
Connection – Building meaningful human interaction
-
Status – The unspoken sense of value and identity in a workspace
-
Food & Drink – Often overlooked, but vital for comfort and satisfaction
Through these lenses, Adrian illustrated just how complex and deeply personal, our workplace preferences can be.
Debunking Myths About Home vs Office
While hybrid working is now the norm for many, Adrian challenged some assumptions about remote work. His data showed that most people aren’t opposed to working in the office - they just need compelling reasons to go there. Flexibility is valued across all demographics, not just those with caregiving responsibilities. And crucially, people enjoy being with other people, but the experience must be worth the effort.
The challenge? Offices have traditionally been designed with efficiency in mind—not experience. As Adrian pointed out, "the office is part of the real estate industry, but people want comfort, not square footage.
Better Together
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway was this: working from home can be more productive because of what happens in the office. By designing environments that support high-quality collaboration, we can “supercharge” the time employees spend working remotely.
In other words, the office isn’t dead, it’s evolving. And it must earn its place in the hybrid work equation.
Two Cities, One Conversation
Our Cork event took place in the OfficeMaster showroom at Northpoint Business Park, offering attendees a first-hand look at the latest Senator and Allermuir ranges. The room was full of conversation, curiosity, and shared experiences around the challenges of hybrid design.
The following day, we moved to the House of Waterford Showroom, where the conversation continued in a setting every bit as inspiring. Waterford is a brand synonymous with the city and county from where it gained international fame. Affectionally known locally as "the glass", Waterford Crystal is a luxury home and giftware brand and their showroom felt like an appropriate venue in which to host Adrian's presentation and display the new furniture ranges.
We held an afternoon session, as well as an evening one to give attendees every chance to enjoy the surroundings. In a fun twist, Adrian and Senator colleague Fraser McKay even tried their hand at cutting crystal with master craftsman David on the factory tour. Proof that great design and craftsmanship come in many forms.
We’re incredibly grateful to Adrian Campbell and the entire Senator Group team for their time, insight, and energy. Their visit sparked conversations that will no doubt influence how many of our clients approach their workplace design challenges in the months ahead.
If you missed the events or want to revisit the content, you can download a copy of Adrian’s presentation here.
We’ll leave you with this final thought from Adrian:
“If someone is only coming into the office for an hour a week, that hour should be extraordinary.”
At OfficeMaster, we couldn’t agree more.
It’s not every day that you get to host one of the UK’s most respected voices in workplace design... but that’s exactly what we did at OfficeMaster, as Adrian Campbell, Head of Workplace Consultancy at The Senator Group, visited our Cork and Waterford showrooms for two insightful events in March.
Adrian brought with him his latest whitepaper, The Right Space, and shared deep insights from his research into how we feel about where we work - and why. Over two days, we welcomed architects, interior designers, HR professionals, and facilities leaders to take part in a timely conversation about what the modern office should be in an age of hybrid working.
The Power of People-First Design
At the heart of Adrian’s presentation was a message that resonates deeply with us at OfficeMaster: workplace design isn’t just about spaces - it’s about people. Drawing on neuroscience, behavioural psychology, and practical data, Adrian demonstrated how the right environment can elevate collaboration, focus, and employee wellbeing.
His message was clear: if we want people to return to the office - and want to be there - we must design places that offer more than just desks and devices. Offices must compete with the comfort and control of home, and the best way to do that is by creating spaces that inspire, support, and empower.
Five Words That Define Experience
One of the standout elements of Adrian’s talk was his exploration of five key emotional themes that emerged from user research:
-
Control – The ability to manage your space, time, and environment
-
Sound – Managing acoustic comfort for focus and interaction
-
Connection – Building meaningful human interaction
-
Status – The unspoken sense of value and identity in a workspace
-
Food & Drink – Often overlooked, but vital for comfort and satisfaction
Through these lenses, Adrian illustrated just how complex and deeply personal, our workplace preferences can be.
Debunking Myths About Home vs Office
While hybrid working is now the norm for many, Adrian challenged some assumptions about remote work. His data showed that most people aren’t opposed to working in the office - they just need compelling reasons to go there. Flexibility is valued across all demographics, not just those with caregiving responsibilities. And crucially, people enjoy being with other people, but the experience must be worth the effort.
The challenge? Offices have traditionally been designed with efficiency in mind—not experience. As Adrian pointed out, "the office is part of the real estate industry, but people want comfort, not square footage.
Better Together
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway was this: working from home can be more productive because of what happens in the office. By designing environments that support high-quality collaboration, we can “supercharge” the time employees spend working remotely.
In other words, the office isn’t dead, it’s evolving. And it must earn its place in the hybrid work equation.
Two Cities, One Conversation
Our Cork event took place in the OfficeMaster showroom at Northpoint Business Park, offering attendees a first-hand look at the latest Senator and Allermuir ranges. The room was full of conversation, curiosity, and shared experiences around the challenges of hybrid design.
The following day, we moved to the House of Waterford Showroom, where the conversation continued in a setting every bit as inspiring. Waterford is a brand synonymous with the city and county from where it gained international fame. Affectionally known locally as "the glass", Waterford Crystal is a luxury home and giftware brand and their showroom felt like an appropriate venue in which to host Adrian's presentation and display the new furniture ranges.
We held an afternoon session, as well as an evening one to give attendees every chance to enjoy the surroundings. In a fun twist, Adrian and Senator colleague Fraser McKay even tried their hand at cutting crystal with master craftsman David on the factory tour. Proof that great design and craftsmanship come in many forms.
We’re incredibly grateful to Adrian Campbell and the entire Senator Group team for their time, insight, and energy. Their visit sparked conversations that will no doubt influence how many of our clients approach their workplace design challenges in the months ahead.
If you missed the events or want to revisit the content, you can download a copy of Adrian’s presentation here.
We’ll leave you with this final thought from Adrian:
“If someone is only coming into the office for an hour a week, that hour should be extraordinary.”
At OfficeMaster, we couldn’t agree more.
