At a time when workplaces are undergoing some of the most dramatic changes in decades, Steelcase offers a refreshing perspective on how to navigate these shifts. They call it Community-Based Design, an architectural and spatial approach inspired by the vibrancy of city life. Much like a well-planned urban neighborhood, Community-Based Design aims to create workplace “districts” that bring people together, foster a sense of belonging, and continually adapt to changing technologies and cultural needs. For Optima®—where innovation, design, and resident well-being stand at the forefront—this outlook resonates strongly.

A City-Inspired Blueprint
In a thriving city, you’ll find bustling downtown areas, quiet residential zones, parks for relaxation, and cultural centers for learning. Steelcase noticed how these varied spaces weave together to encourage activity, social interaction, and a sense of identity. Translating this idea into workplace planning, Community-Based Design breaks the office down into five mixed-use “districts,” each tailored for a range of activities:

City Center: The social hub, or “town square,” of the workplace. This central area serves as a gathering spot for impromptu chats, large-scale events, or simply grabbing a coffee. It’s designed to pull people from their desks and spark those chance encounters that foster creativity.

Team Neighborhoods: Modeled after residential blocks where you know your neighbors, these neighborhoods provide home-base workstations while also offering collaborative corners. They balance open interaction with personal retreats, ensuring employees can both connect with teammates and find their own space when needed.

Business District: The engine for problem-solving, this zone groups together spaces designed for meetings, presentations, and collaborative deep dives. Inspired by commercial areas in cities, it focuses on productive synergy, often integrating advanced AV tools for hybrid collaboration.

Urban Parks: Serving as communal “breathing rooms,” these park-like lounges or relaxed nooks let people unwind and recharge. Designed to mimic the calming effect of green spaces, they invite individuals to take a few minutes away from the hustle of emails or calls, boosting overall well-being.

University District: A dedicated learning center, encouraging workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing. Similar to how universities anchor communities with libraries and lecture halls, these areas offer structured learning spaces to help employees continually upskill and innovate.

Why Community-Based Design Matters
According to Steelcase’s research, this approach is grounded in a few critical shifts reshaping work today. People are spending more time “living on screen,” thanks to hybrid and remote models. They’re grappling with AI integration at unprecedented speeds, aiming for more sustainable operations, and seeking better mental well-being—all while balancing in-person and digital collaboration.

Community-Based Design responds by creating a holistic infrastructure where employees feel connected, not isolated. By mimicking city patterns—short walkways that encourage mingling, diverse “architecture” for different tasks, and intuitive “public” and “private” zones—the workplace becomes a living ecosystem. This fosters social interaction, emotional support, and the kind of creative collisions that make in-person collaboration worthwhile.

Lessons for Optima®
For all of our communities at Optima®, this concept resonates. Both residents and staff crave flexibility, meaningful interactions, and efficient use of space. Our amenity spaces have been designed to reflect people’s needs, facilitating a stronger sense of community and adaptability, and our common areas, lush green spaces, and exemplary rooftop sun decks reflect the principle that variety, user control, and comfortable social infrastructure lead to higher satisfaction.

Toward a More Human-Centered Future
Community-Based Design reminds us that the best spaces function much like welcoming, active cities—versatile, connected, and always open to transformation. As we shape the next generation of environments at Optima®, focusing on community benefits everyone. By designing with human needs at the center, we inspire innovation, reduce stress, and create spaces where people truly feel they belong.