Creating a Touchdown Space to Empower Your Employees

Creating a Touchdown Space OFS LeanTo Lounge
In recent years, a new trend has emerged in office design: touchdown spaces. A touchdown space provides employees with a flexible and versatile working environment.  It allows them to work effectively, efficiently and dynamically. In this article, we’ll explore what touchdown spaces are, the different types, and how they benefit employees.

What is a Touchdown Space?

Because many wonder what the touchdown space meaning is, let’s break it down.  A touchdown space describes a flexible workspace that’s typically laptop-centric and designed for short-term use. These spaces are usually located in high-traffic areas of an office, such as near the reception area or other central location. In some cases in a privately carved out space. Touchdown spaces are designed to be accessible and comfortable.  They’re also designed to cater to employees who are typically on-the-go and need a space to work briefly for an an hour or so, right before their next scheduled task somewhere else.  Functional, comfortable and convenient for everyone, they offer a range of benefits for workers, employers and even guests.

The LeanTo Lounge Seating by OFS is a great example of an informal touchdown setup that can be used by individuals or small group of people.  With comfortable seating, an upholstered high back, and worsurface tablet, its perfect for a private/semi-private work oasis.


Photo: Darran Honey Workspace

Touchdown Space Types

There are several different types of touchdown spaces that can provide employees with a flexible workspace. A popular one are touchdown meeting spaces equipped with audio-visual equipment, whiteboards, and other tools for effective collaboration.  Another type are private working nooks or pods to accommodate individuals to concentrate and work alone.  A lounge, breakroom or cafe booth can also be a touchdown space for relaxed and less concentrated tasks.  And designated reception spaces can be perfect for on the go workers and guests as a touchdown space to catch up on work.

Touchdown Workspaces Allow Flexibility 

A great benefit of office touchdown spaces is that they provide employees a more flexible way of working that encourages them to be more productive at work. Unfortunately, many employees today spend almost all their time at work glued to their workstation or desk.  Traditional office setups typically foster this type of sedentary culture and doesn’t facilitate much inter-office collaboration or movement.  Touchdown spaces provide supplemental work spaces to encourage workers to get up, move around and interact with their peers throughout the day.


Photo: OFS Tangent Modular Lounge

Tangent by OFS is a modular lounge seating that can be configured many different ways in reception or lounge areas.  It’s equipped with power and charging capabilities, as well as table tops and layover tables, to comfortably accommodate workers or guests seeking a touchdown space.

A Touchdown Co-Working Space Promotes Community

An additional benefit of touchdown spaces is that they promote a sense of camaraderie among different groups within an office community.  In traditional office setups, departments are often very much separated and very rarely do they interact .  A touchdown co-working space can help break down divisions among departments by providing common spaces where everyone can go to and work.  This would allow workers to get to know each other better, interact and share ideas.  For remote workers who are not regularly at the office, this is especially important to reconnect with with the company and their office peers.  

Co-working spaces can be informal meeting areas, breakrooms and lounges, and sometimes offer amenities like a staff kitchen, juice bar, library or printing facilities.


Photo: ERG International Beta Table

The ERG International Beta Table is perfect for a touchdown co-working space, and can be equipped with a television screen for group presentations when collaborating with fellow employees.

Happier and More Productive Employees

Touchdown spaces can also help to improve employee well-being and satisfaction.  These days especially, more and more workers report being burnt out from the stress and demands of their routine tasks.  A comfortable and inviting touchdown area apart from their designated desk or workstation can help.  By providing employees with alternate areas to collaborate with others and/or concentrate on work, a change of scenery and pace is provided, as well as physical movement.  This helps to discourage a sedentary work culture, which in turn, foster happier and healthier employees. 

Individual Touchdown Space for Concentrated Work

For many open-plan workspaces where employees work alongside each other in benching workstations, sometimes a touchdown space is necessary for some peace and quiet.  It can be set up away from the busy main floor for individuals to momentarily escape and work with less noise and distraction. 


Photo: Arcadia Co-Op Lounge & Workspace

Arcadia’s Co-Op Lounge Seating is designed as private booth, and can be configured to accommodate a group of people, as well as a single worker.  With comfortable upholstered seating, a generous worksurface table, and great privacy and acoustics, it’s ideal for setting up touchdown stations for employees that need quiet and concentration. 

Overall Benefits of Touchdown Space

To recap, there are many benefits of a touchdown space. These include:

1. Increased Flexibility and Productivity

Happier employees are productive employees.  When you offer workers flexibility by providing them with spaces that cater to their needs, they’re likely to be more energetic, focused and get their tasks done.

2. Improved Collaboration

Touchdown spaces that are designed to be collaborative and flexible allow employees to work together on projects and tasks. This can improve communication and collaboration between different teams and departments.

3. Reduced Stress and Fatigue

By giving employees the freedom to move around and access comfortable and flexible alternate workspaces, they’re less likely to be stressed and fatigued.  Workers who are able to move throughout their day can reduce their overall discomfort and anxiety, which makes them more satisfied, happy and productive.

4. Better Work/Life Balance

Employers should recognize that employees are people too, and that have personal lives they sometimes have to tend to while at work.  In a lot of cases, they need to step out and give attention to a family situation or other personal matter that may suddenly arise.  By providing workers a touchdown space that allows them to go to during their breaks, they’re able to focus on the personal situation at hand, and afterwards can resume work less distracted and more engaged.

Photo: Darran Room Divider Screens

Touchdown Space Design and Touchdown Office Furniture

The touchdown space is an office trend that is gaining more and more popularity in modern offices.  This is especially so after the pandemic.  By providing a flexible and versatile touchdown space design, companies can improve productivity, collaboration, and work-life balance. However, it’s important to note that choosing the right touchdown furniture is key when designing these spaces.  Consult with the team at 2010 Office Furniture to help with your space planning goals and office furniture needs.  2010 Office Furniture has over a half-century of combined experience working with globally recognized corporations, universities, and small businesses throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Read Also: The Benefits of Touchdown Spaces in Office Space Planning and Design
Main Photo: OFS LeanTo Lounge
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Arcadia, Darran, ERG International & OFS

Design Your Office Like It’s a Neighborhood Destination

Design Your Office Like It’s a Neighborhood Destination Trendway Volo Wall

Every neighborhood has a unique look and atmosphere and so does your office environment. Single-family homes, apartments, local coffee shops, eateries, and parks make your neighborhood distinct from others.  The same goes with the office, especially now.  When comparing pre-covid / post-covid office design, we realize how important all the different components that make our “office neighborhoods” really are.

Your office should have a unique look and feel based on your company’s culture, branding, and the personalities of employees in their respective positions. Work environments should feel welcome and comfortable.

The neighborhood feel of a company’s office is going to be different than an employee’s home office.

Design your space for movement, mutual support, and the connections that won’t be made anywhere else.

Pre-COVID and Post-COVID Office Comparisons

Comparisons between pre-covid / post-covid office cultures are staggering. Telecommuting has been around for a couple of decades, but the shutdown radically popularized the concept of working remotely.

Pre-Covid / Post-Covid Office SitOnIt Novo Chair
Photo: SitOnIt Seating Novo Chair

Pre-COVID, the City of Los Angeles had only 35 of about 50,000 employees working remotely, according to a write-up on the tech industry website dot.LA. 

Suddenly, in March 2020 about 18,000 employees were allowed to work remotely. And in mid-2021, it was estimated that 60% of the city’s workforce could work a hybrid schedule.

Now that the shutdown is a fading memory, many companies expect employees to spend more time in the office and there’s less enthusiasm for hybrid schedules among big corporations.

By summer 2022, a CNN report noted that Goldman Sachs had all employees back in the office full-time while 90% of JP Morgan’s staff returned at least three days a week. 

Give them a place where they’ll look forward to being in. A well-planned environment helps employees feel fully engaged.

The Perks

Many workers believe they were just as, if not more, productive at home when the pandemic hit as they were in the office. According to career research firm Zippia, about 2/3rds of Americans work remotely, at least part-time. And they like it because they cut down on commute times and feel productive. 

But here’s where the office setting has an edge over a home office or other remote locations.

About half of those surveyed reported that they feel lonely at least once a week. Digging deeper, we find that 19% of work-from-home employees stated “Isolation” as their #1 problem, and 70% felt left out of their workplace.

Build a community feel in your office to engage your employees so they have a positive vibe when coming to the main office.

Turning Data into Office Planning Strategies

Businesses are successful when they meet needs in the marketplace. What if you treated your employees like they were the customers of your in-office brand?

Yes, they have to meet company goals, but if they’re satisfied with the support they receive in their immediate environment then they’ll feel engaged in their work. They’ll make it through daily challenges, and morale will remain positive.

That alone will give your firm a boost over the competition.

Developing an office that has a neighborhood vibe requires thorough planning for space allotment and functionality.

Workstations as Neighborhoods

The aim of the office isn’t just to get work accomplished, because that can be done remotely for many positions. But the purpose is to bring people together in support of company goals even if employees aren’t there 40 hours a week.

Organize workstations for an efficient flow of tasks and the sharing of mission-critical information. Bring one department together in one area, or create specific project areas if people from different departments and skills are needed.

Your neighborhood can change and adapt as projects start and finish.

The DeskMakers TeamWorx Open Plan Desking allows for numerous configurations so your team can give input on how their neighborhood is established. 


Photo: DeskMakers TeamWorx Open Plan Desking

Gathering Spots as Neighborhoods

Just like the General Store is a symbol of where communities gather, your office can have important gathering spots. What better place to start than a conference setting, breakroom, or lounge area?

Pre-Covid / Post-Covid Office OFS Riff Table
Photo: OFS Brands Riff Table

Elevate your conference room from the mundane to a place of inspiration. Select décor that puts the mind at ease. One way is to bring in nature by making green walls with the Nevins Bio Canvas Frame. These acoustic moss frames require no maintenance.

Equip your room with stylish and sleek tables that foster open collaboration and fit well within the space.

Design Your Office Like It’s a Neighborhood Destination Stylex Verve Chairs
Photo: Stylex Verve Chairs

Add character to your meeting areas and equip them with the latest distance communication capabilities by using solutions like the OFS Obeya Architectural Structure. 


Photo: OFS Brands Obeya Architectural Structure

Bring flair to your breakroom and lounge with furnishings that allow for either face-to-face chats or personal private moments in the same setting. 

Consider the ERG International Laguna Lounge Seating which is perfect for a range of public settings and common areas like cafes and lobbies. It’s constructed for maximum enjoyment and reduces the need to constantly shift positions.

Pre-Covid / Post-Covid Office Erg International Laguna Lounge
Photo: ERG International Laguna Lounge Seating

Outdoor Spaces as Neighborhoods

Your outdoor areas may be limited, but it’s crucial to make use of them. Natural light is vital for our well-being and even small patio areas can be reserved for work, periods of relaxation, or as meeting areas.

Set up a canopy, provide durable seating like the SitOnIt Seating InFlex Chair, and use a sturdy table made with steel and aluminum, like the classic-looking Allermuir Turo Table. These options make it easy to freshen up outside.


Photo: Allermuir Turo Table

Turn to 2010 Office Furniture

Wrestling with pre-covid / post-covid office design and ideas?  The experts at 2010 Office Furniture can help, with more than a combined half-century of servicing and supplying clients who are among Southern California’s largest corporations, nonprofit organizations, and robust small businesses.

Contact them with your space planning and furnishing questions and needs to make your office space not only more functional, but a desirable place to work.

Read Also: Design Your Office Space as a Welcome Gathering Place
Main Photo: Trendway Vollo Wall
Resources & Special Thanks to Respective Product Manufacturers: Allermuir, DeskMakers, ERG International, OFS Brands, SitOnIt Seating and Stylex Seating