The office café: more than just a place to relax

14 May. 2025

In modern working environments, office cafe s have evolved into adaptable spaces that provide more than traditional breakout spaces, fostering both work and relaxation. While breakout spaces are traditionally designed for short periods, offering facilities such as coffee machines and tables, office cafe s consciously set out to foster productivity, creativity and social interaction.

“The Work Cafe takes inspiration from street cafe s and so-called third places and offers far more than just a space in a work context,” explains Ernst Holzapfel, Head of Marketing at Sedus Stoll AG. “When implemented correctly, it becomes a ductile place that adapts seamlessly to various work situations and needs. Users are free to decide whether they want to work informally on their own, come together in teams, communicate, network or simply relax over a good cup of coffee. In addition, the Work Cafe becomes an expression of the corporate culture and values. The approach developed by Sedus with the four archetypes – library, garden, club and hub – offers clear orientation and inspiration for successful implementation. After all, according to an M. Moser Study from 2023, 85% of people cite collaboration, socialising, and events as the primary reasons for coming to the office. This shows how crucial it is to design working environments that cater to these needs.”

The four archetypes of office cafés

When analysing hybrid workspaces and office cafés, Sedus identified four main archetypes that serve specific work requirements and corporate cult

Hub – A meeting place for lively collaboration

The Hub is the social centrepiece of the Work Café – dynamic, open and full of energy, ideal for spontaneous encounters and teamwork.

Atmosphere: Lively, unconventional and communicative - inspired by co-working spaces and urban meeting places.
Work settings: Central counter, flexible seating options such as high tables, sofas and communal work areas.
Use: For quick interactions, team meetings or casual networking - perfect for collaboration and exchange.

HUBs have a young and fresh, co-working-like atmosphere, inspired by the principles of hospitality, community, and well-being. The bar counter is a key
element, acting as a focal point for social interactions and informal communication. The space is informal and lively, with a dynamic layout that embraces a variety of
furnishings, including high and low tables, different seating options, and areas with sofas and armchairs, with specialised workstations for team collaboration or
solo activities, often discreetly placed at the edge of the space.

HUBs support all styles of work, from collaboration and communication to concentration and contemplation, offering an unconventional and vibrant environment. Their ductility allows them to respond to the daily fluctuations typical of hybrid work in terms of space crowding and the type of activity that needs to be performed by people.

Club – An elegant lounge for informal meetings

The Club offers a stylish and comfortable environment that balances privacy with effective communication.

Atmosphere: Elegant, cosy and understated - inspired by business lounges and hotel lobbies.
Work settings: Comfortable sofas, armchairs and formal seating areas for small meetings and private discussion.
Use: A retreat for confidential meetings, relaxed individual work or private teamwork.

CLUBs are ideal for informal meetings, in a private and elegant environment. CLUBs provide a hospitable and comfortable atmosphere, inspired by the aesthetics of business clubs, hotel lounges, or elegant living rooms. The space is informal yet sophisticated, with harmoniously combined furniture shapes and types. CLUBs feature a variety of furniture arrangements, predominantly soft areas with sofas and armchairs, as well as dining tables with comfortable padded chairs with armrests. Specialised workstations for team collaboration or solo activities are typically located at the edges of the space. While the bar counter is present, it is placed to the side and does not play a central role.

CLUBs are designed to accommodate all work activities, collaboration, communication, concentration, and contemplation surrounded by elegant and comfortable furniture. Their ductility allows them to respond to the daily fluctuations typical of hybrid work in terms of space crowding and the type of activity that needs to be performed by people.

Garden – A natural retreat for relaxation and creativity

The Garden brings nature into the office, promoting relaxation and creativity.

Atmosphere: Natural, organic and relaxing - characterised by plants, green spaces and biophilic design elements.
Work settings: Flexible elements, including outdoor furniture, cosy retreat spaces and organically designed work zones.
Use: For focused individual work, creative breaks or relaxed team discussions in an inspiring setting.

GARDENs are designed for well-being and relaxed work, offering a calm and natural atmosphere, inspired by the concept of bringing the outdoors inside and vice versa. It features abundant greenery, with plants and other natural elements. The layout is highly organic, with many diverse furniture pieces such as outdoor tables, soft seating areas, and isolated retreats with single armchairs and coffee tables. The bar counter, while present, is placed to the side, maintaining the focus on relaxation and nature. This setup supports well-being and allows individuals to engage in all the activities: collaboration, communication, concentration, and contemplation in a relaxed environment.

GARDENs can often be placed on terraces, rooftops, or indoor spaces filled with greenery. Their ductility allows them to respond to the daily fluctuations typical of hybrid work in terms of space crowding and the type of activity that needs to be performed by people.

Library – A quiet space for focused productivity

The Library offers a structured, quiet environment designed for focus and privacy.

Atmosphere: Organized, calm and contemplative - inspired by classic reading rooms and quiet cafés.
Work settings: Linear table arrangements, screened seating areas and quiet work zones.
Use: Ideal for concentrated individual work, quiet teamwork or confidential tasks.

LIBRARIEs offer a comfortable and intimate atmosphere, inspired by calm street cafés. It features a regular and homogeneous layout with small square or circular tables, creating parallel or linear space organisation. Workplaces for team collaboration or informal work on armchairs and sofas are discreetly placed at the edges of the space. The bar counter, while present, is positioned to the side, maintaining a quiet and orderly environment.

While mainly designed for concentrated work, Libraries support all activities: concentration, contemplation, collaboration, and communication in a quiet, orderly environment. Their ductility allows them to respond to the daily fluctuations typical of hybrid work in terms of space crowding and the type of activity that needs to be performed by people.

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