In this ongoing series, Around the World with WORKTECH, we are exploring the most innovative and forward-thinking workplaces showcased at WORKTECH conferences held across the globe. Following our look at how New York is redefining workplace hospitality, we now turn to Amsterdam, a city at the forefront of human-centric workplace design.
As the home of global companies like Booking.com, Microsoft, Edge, and ING Bank, Amsterdam is proving that the future of work is not just about technology and efficiency but about designing for people. From wellness-focused spaces to nature-inspired offices, the city’s most innovative workplaces are redefining what it means to create an environment where employees can thrive.
Wellness-First Workspaces
Amsterdam’s workplaces are designed with a strong emphasis on employee well-being, incorporating elements that support both physical and mental health. Offices are no longer just places to work, they are environments that promote a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
At Microsoft Schiphol Amsterdam, the workplace is designed with wellness in mind, featuring ergonomic workstations, relaxation zones, and natural light optimisation to support circadian rhythms. ING Bank’s headquarters integrates mindfulness spaces, quiet zones, and flexible work environments to encourage well-being and productivity. Meanwhile, Booking.com’s new campus offers a variety of wellness initiatives, including on-site gyms, mental health resources, and meditation spaces, ensuring that employees have the tools they need to maintain their well-being in the workplace.
Flexible and Adaptive Workspaces
As hybrid work continues to shape the modern office, Amsterdam’s workplaces are embracing flexibility, creating environments that adapt to different work styles and employee needs. The goal is to allow workers to choose the type of space that best suits their tasks, whether it’s a quiet zone for deep focus or a collaborative hub for teamwork.
At Booking.com’s headquarters, employees can move freely between different workspace configurations, from open-plan areas to enclosed pods designed for concentration. Microsoft’s Amsterdam office takes a similar approach, offering modular workspaces that can be easily reconfigured based on employee preferences. ING Bank integrates activity-based working, where employees select work settings based on their tasks rather than fixed desk assignments, fostering both efficiency and engagement.
Biophilic and Nature-Inspired Design
Natural elements are becoming an essential part of workplace design in Amsterdam, as studies continue to show the positive impact of biophilic environments on productivity and well-being. Offices are incorporating indoor gardens, rooftop terraces, and natural materials to create a more calming and engaging atmosphere.
The Edge, one of the world’s most sustainable buildings, is a prime example of this trend, featuring an atrium filled with greenery, extensive use of natural light, and an intelligent climate-control system that adapts to employee preferences. NRF’s Amsterdam office also embraces biophilic design, integrating green walls, communal gardens, and panoramic windows that provide employees with a connection to nature. Microsoft’s Amsterdam campus goes further by incorporating outdoor workspaces and walking paths to encourage movement and relaxation.
Offices That Feel Like Home
As the boundaries between work and life continue to blur, Amsterdam’s leading workplaces are designed to feel more like home – comfortable, inviting, and conducive to both work and social interaction. Companies are moving beyond traditional office layouts to create environments that encourage relaxation and informal collaboration.
At ING Bank, lounges, cafe-style work areas, and informal meeting spaces replace conventional desks, fostering a sense of ease and community. Booking.com’s campus is structured around creating a seamless balance between work and leisure, offering game rooms, cozy breakout areas, and wellness facilities that make employees feel at home. Meanwhile, Microsoft Amsterdam integrates comfortable communal areas and inclusive design principles to ensure that employees of all backgrounds and abilities feel welcome and valued.
Inclusive and Accessible Office Spaces
A truly human-centric workplace is one that is inclusive and accessible to all employees, regardless of their physical abilities, working styles, or personal needs. Amsterdam’s leading companies are making accessibility a priority, ensuring that office spaces cater to a diverse workforce.
Microsoft Amsterdam has set the bar high with its universal design principles, incorporating features like height-adjustable desks, voice-activated controls, and wheelchair-friendly spaces. Booking.com ensures its office is neurodivergent-friendly, offering quiet zones and sensory-friendly areas for employees who may need them. Edge’s smart building technology also allows employees to personalise their work environment, from adjusting lighting and temperature to selecting their preferred workspace based on sensory preferences.
The Psychology of Space
Beyond physical features, Amsterdam’s workplaces are using insights from psychology and neuroscience to create environments that enhance focus, creativity, and collaboration. By understanding how space influences behaviour, companies can design offices that naturally support the way people work best.
At Edge Amsterdam, AI-powered workplace analytics track how employees move and interact within the space, providing insights that help optimise layouts for both productivity and well-being. Microsoft’s Amsterdam office leverages research on acoustics, colour psychology, and spatial design to minimise distractions and create a more engaging work atmosphere. ING Bank incorporates dynamic lighting systems that adjust based on time of day, reducing eye strain and improving concentration.
Amsterdam’s forward-thinking approach to human-centric workplace design is setting a new benchmark for offices worldwide. By prioritising well-being, flexibility, nature, inclusivity, and psychology-driven design, the city’s workplaces are creating environments where employees don’t just work – they thrive.
As we continue our Around the World with WORKTECH series, Amsterdam offers a compelling blueprint for the future of work. It’s a city proving that when offices are built with people in mind, they become more than just places to work, they become destinations that inspire, support, and engage.
Stay tuned as we explore the next city in this global journey, uncovering the innovative trends shaping the future of work.
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