11.26.2025
As an office park design firm, HH Designers understands that shared spaces are the heart of a successful campus. They serve as natural intersections for collaboration, wellness, and connection, the qualities that define next-generation workplaces.
This article explores best practices for planning cafés, lounges, and fitness zones across multi-building office parks, using data from trusted industry leaders such as the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).
In the hybrid-work era, companies are rethinking the role of the office. Workers no longer need to come in every day, so when they do, the environment must deliver an experience that home cannot. According to a 2023 report by JLL, office parks that invest in hospitality-level amenities see up to 40% higher tenant retention and command rental premiums compared to amenity-poor sites.
Shared amenities such as cafés, lounges, and fitness centers serve several purposes:
In a time when employers compete for talent and investors seek long-term stability, amenity spaces have evolved from optional features to essential infrastructure.
When HH Designers begins an office park master plan, we approach amenities at the campus scale rather than as individual building features. The goal is to think holistically about how each amenity interacts with outdoor circulation, parking, and the architectural rhythm of the property.
A single central hub may work for smaller campuses, while larger office parks often benefit from distributed amenities that keep foot traffic balanced. For example:
Every amenity should be accessible within a 5-minute walk from any point on campus, an ergonomic planning standard recommended by the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP).
The most successful amenity plans begin with user mapping, understanding who will use each space, how often, and for what purpose.
Analyzing tenant demographics helps determine amenity capacity, adjacencies, and operating hours. HH Designers often conducts tenant interviews and occupancy studies to guide design decisions.
A café is more than a food venue; it is the social nucleus of the office park.
The best café locations are central yet visible, placed along high-traffic circulation routes or adjacent to outdoor plazas. Proximity to parking or main pedestrian arteries improves accessibility.
According to Cushman & Wakefield’s Office of the Future Report, workplace cafés that double as casual work zones can increase occupant dwell time by 25–30%.
Natural materials such as wood and stone create warmth, while acoustic treatments maintain comfort during busy hours. Lighting should transition throughout the day, bright and functional in the morning, warm and ambient after hours.
Lounges serve multiple roles, from meeting overflow space to community hubs. In modern office parks, they represent the living room of the workplace.
Lounges benefit from biophilic design elements, greenery, natural light, and calming textures. Studies from the American Psychological Association confirm that biophilic environments reduce stress and improve cognitive performance.
Lighting should blend daylight, task lamps, and accent fixtures to create layered ambience suitable for work or relaxation.
Lounge spaces succeed when they offer versatility, equally comfortable for individual retreat or informal teamwork.
Wellness has become a defining factor for corporate tenants. It has been discovered that 70% of companies now consider on-site fitness and wellness amenities essential when renewing or signing leases.
All wellness amenities should be universally accessible and designed for adaptability. Spaces can double as group activity studios, small event venues, or pop-up wellness seminars.
Smart access systems, scheduling apps, and digital class displays enhance user experience and minimize operational friction.
A great office park is more than its buildings; it is a landscape of interaction. HH Designers places strong emphasis on outdoor circulation that connects all amenity zones seamlessly.
Pedestrian routes should feel intuitive and safe, encouraging walking rather than driving between buildings. Courtyards and micro-plazas become opportunities for rest, conversation, and impromptu meetings.
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) emphasizes the importance of “walkable connectivity” as a measure of sustainable campus design.
Outdoor furniture, power access, and weather-protected areas expand the usable footprint of each amenity. Incorporating Wi-Fi, task lighting, and greenery ensures comfort for both focused work and social gatherings.
Every shared amenity should feel part of a single campus brand. This is achieved through material consistency, color palettes, and environmental graphics.
Brand cohesion not only strengthens tenant pride but also creates an emotional sense of belonging.
Technology forms the backbone of a modern campus experience. Shared spaces benefit from integrated digital systems that enhance usability and sustainability.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recommends incorporating real-time monitoring into amenity areas to track both user engagement and environmental performance.
The success of amenity spaces often depends on how easily people reach them. Parking proximity, clear signage, and safe pedestrian routes encourage consistent use.
Wayfinding design plays a critical role in directing visitors between buildings and amenities. Coordinated signage and lighting create intuitive movement across the site.
Amenity planning is an opportunity to invest in environmental and operational sustainability.
The International WELL Building Institute notes that wellness-centered environments improve tenant satisfaction and retention, directly impacting ROI for property owners.
When HH Designers develops an amenity master plan for an office park, the process typically unfolds in five stages:
Mapping circulation, evaluating building relationships, and identifying underutilized zones.
Creating mood boards, adjacency diagrams, and material palettes to define campus personality.
Detailed layouts for café, lounge, and fitness zones, including furniture selection and lighting strategy.
3D renderings and walkthroughs help stakeholders visualize spatial flow and branding cohesion.
HH Designers provides a complete specification book and continues to collaborate through construction to ensure design integrity.
This structured approach guarantees that every amenity integrates seamlessly into the broader vision of the office park.
The modern office park is evolving into a community ecosystem. Tenants expect spaces that support both productivity and personal well-being. From shared cafés and lounges to outdoor wellness trails, these amenities create a compelling reason for people to come to work.
According to ULI’s Office Development Trends Report, campuses that combine hospitality, flexibility, and nature-inspired amenities outperform traditional models by wide margins in both leasing velocity and tenant retention.
As tenant expectations continue to rise, property owners must think beyond renovation and toward experience design, an approach HH Designers has refined through decades of work across corporate campuses nationwide.
Thoughtful amenity planning transforms an office park from a collection of buildings into a cohesive, thriving environment. Shared cafés, lounges, and fitness centers enhance both community and business performance.
For developers and owners looking to elevate their properties, partnering with an office park design firm ensures each amenity serves a purpose: connecting people, enriching experience, and maximizing long-term value.
HHDESIGNERS is an international commercial interior design agency creating spaces that elevate the way people live, work and make their mark on the world.
