Designboom, in collaboration with Haworth—a leader in the office furniture industry—conducted a social survey on future work environments and new approaches to work, offering insights into how workspaces can evolve from static settings into dynamic, modular ecosystems.
Designboom interviewed Stefan Camenzind, Managing Director, and Tanya Ruegg, Creative Director of the Swiss architecture firm Evolution Design, the team behind Google’s large-scale office portfolio projects worldwide.
They detailed how they respond to rapidly changing trends in collaborative office design, conveying the strong corporate culture of tech companies while emphasizing open communication and innovative collaboration in shaping new work environments.
**Designboom: What inspired you to study architecture?**
Stefan Camenzind: It was interest-driven. I’ve always enjoyed looking beneath the surface of things to understand why they appear as they do. Even today, I remain fascinated by how forms come into being. My learning in architecture has largely been fueled by observing and analyzing the structures around me.
Tanya Ruegg: I’ve always wanted to create something that brings joy, relaxation, and even personal growth. For me, designing innovative architecture tailored to clients—reflecting their values—is both a challenge and a form of self-improvement.
**Designboom: What factors during your upbringing shaped your design principles and philosophy?**
Stefan Camenzind: People’s values are often influenced by their social and natural environments. For me, diverse perspectives from others have been the most inspiring.
Tanya Ruegg: I grew up in a loving family where respect and understanding were central. That instilled in me patience and positive energy, and it taught me that architecture, at its core, is about connection.
**Designboom: Your firm designed Google offices in Europe. How did you start collaborating with tech companies?**
Stefan Camenzind: We were invited to design Google’s Zurich office, though we had no prior experience in interior design. It was both an opportunity and a challenge—we wanted to try a completely new approach.
Tanya Ruegg: So, instead of proposing an overall design concept from the start, we continuously integrated new ideas throughout the process to create open workspaces tailored for Google employees.
**Designboom: Did Google have specific requirements or themes for the design?**
Tanya Ruegg: No. Google sees its employees as its most valuable asset, so we communicated directly with local staff. The offices were fully customized to their needs.
Stefan Camenzind: Google’s culture is about open communication, collaboration, innovation, balance, food, and fun. Imposing a fixed theme would only create a superficial “look and feel,” which doesn’t align with Google’s vision. They wanted spaces where people and environment connect naturally.
**Designboom: Your projects also include workplaces for clients like Unilever. What do clients typically ask for?**
Stefan Camenzind: Most clients want us to help create strategic, forward-looking workspaces. That often means it’s not a quick solution but a co-design process.
Tanya Ruegg: We conduct in-depth research using specific tools—analyzing desk and meeting room usage, studying work styles, and holding workshops and interviews. It’s not just about functionality; it also reflects the company’s vision and values, which form the basis of our design concepts.
**Designboom: Collaborative office spaces are evolving rapidly. How do you respond to this as designers?**
Tanya Ruegg: Actually, it’s often the opposite. Through research, we design proactively by understanding both current and future needs. When studying Google Zurich, we realized early on that creative spaces would be built around future collaboration and communication. That’s why we designed many unconventional creative zones for dining, drinking, socializing, and idea-sharing.
Stefan Camenzind: The demand for such future-ready spaces is growing rapidly. Our half-completed office in Tel Aviv, for example, is entirely dedicated to fostering creative exchange.
**Designboom: How do you ensure a space supports both individual and group activities?**
Stefan Camenzind: Regardless of the job, everyone needs quiet areas away from noise—especially in open offices.
Tanya Ruegg: But we also see the trend toward fluid workspaces replacing fixed desks. Changing needs—project work, team meetings, collaboration—require flexible environments. A creative workplace should support diverse activities and optimize how they unfold.
**Designboom: Does technology influence the design process?**
Stefan Camenzind: Technology is absolutely key. All our projects follow two simple principles:
1. Global business is constantly changing.
2. Workspaces must adapt quickly.
So we adhere to a straightforward IT philosophy: “Everything is possible.”
– All employees have laptops, softphones, and mobiles.
– Excellent WiFi bandwidth is available everywhere.
– You don’t need a desk to work—adapters work in lounges and informal areas.
– Secure setups allow work from anywhere, inside or outside the office.
**Designboom: As architects, could you describe your daily work habits?**
Stefan Camenzind: Our office is simple. Aside from essential IT tools, the decor and work modes are customizable.
Tanya Ruegg: We usually work in the office to facilitate collaboration. That’s why we designed a large project wall showing individual work and break schedules—it helps the team coordinate and hand over tasks smoothly.
**Designboom: What do you see as the future direction of design?**
Stefan Camenzind: I believe workspaces will become more collaborative and interactive. Technological advances will dictate the pace of change, eventually erasing boundaries between inside and outside. What we design today is already preparing for that future.
Tanya Ruegg: Human desires and needs keep evolving. Workspaces express identity, reflect culture and values, and inspire motivation and pride. That’s why office design will only grow in importance.