Exploring the intersection of work and place.
The Work(place)
Work used to be somewhere you had to go. Now it’s something you can do almost anywhere. So the real question becomes: what kind of place is worth going to?
Work(place) explores the design, placemaking, and strategies that turn work from an obligation into a destination. From the community coffee shop, to the neighborhood market, to the town green space, and everywhere in between—the best companies are moving beyond the cubicle and toward places people genuinely want to spend their time.
The most magnetic workplaces look a lot like the best community third places: welcoming, social, flexible, and deeply human. When offices borrow from the language of hospitality, work stops feeling like somewhere you’re required to be and starts feeling like somewhere you belong.
The Framework
Third places are social environments distinct from the home (first place) and workplace (second place), serving as vital communal hubs that foster informal public life. Popularized by the urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg In his book titled The Great Good Place (1989), Oldenburg argued that third places are integral and vital for civil society, democracy, and civic engagement.
Some examples of third places include cafes, parks, libraries, markets, and community centers (among others), where people can gather, relax, and engage in conversation. These spaces foster a sense of community, offering a neutral ground for diverse groups to connect and interact. There are many historical examples of third places including the ancient Greek agora, open-air markets, ancient and contemporary houses of worship, Imperial Chinese Teahouses, and probably most ubiquitously the coffeeshop.
Third places promote social interaction and civic engagement, allow for the exchange of ideas, and help cultivate a sense of community and belonging. These spaces are typically characterized by open accessibility, a welcoming atmosphere, and a sense of playfulness, which helps contribute to the social fabric of neighborhoods and cities. Cozy seating, bold design, warm lighting, grenery, and conversation all help contribute to that atmosphere.
Where Work Happens Today | Diagram by Brendan Gregory