There’s a lot to be said for briefs
Undoubtedly the most common description of work-space requirements from clients is some variant of the following:
“Look the brief is simple; we want a space where people want to come to work”. Mostly aired with a philosophical deliberation as if they are a tribune of people on their payroll.
The sarcastic repartee that could ensue is tantalising, but we must refrain.
“If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” –Henry Ford”
If this truly was the brief given to a design team it is the equivalent of saying “Here, you go and design a space that would make you want to come to work”.
This is fundamentally flawed in two respects. Firstly, they would design a space that would suit a design team. Secondly, they may design a space that makes people want to come to work for the wrong reasons.