Lucy Kellaway's Office Space: Lego

Synopsis

Lucy Calloway experiences a strong sense of office envy as she examines modern office designs. With over 20 years of experience writing about offices, she critiques the new trend of activity-based working at Legos New London headquarters, designed by the Dutch company Veldhoven. This approach requires employees to move between different work areas based on their tasks and moods, which Lucy finds problematic. She highlights the strict rules, such as no leaving personal items unattended and the necessity of constant tidying. Lucy also discusses the ban on eating at desks to promote cleanliness and collaboration among employees. Through her observations, she questions whether these innovations truly enhance productivity and happiness in the workplace or if they complicate the office environment further. Lucy's insights reflect her deep understanding of office culture and the evolving expectations of modern workspaces.