The Complexity of Comfort

As Neil points out, comfort is intensely personal.
What feels right for one person may not for another, which is why designing for universal comfort is both a challenge and an opportunity.
Rather than trying to prescribe what comfort should be, he argues that modern design should be rooted in choice - multiple settings, flexible layouts and the freedom to adapt spaces to individual needs, empowering individuals to find what suits them best.
“If we create a whole series of work settings that occupants can choose from and they're all uncomfortable, he quips, “we’re doing something wrong.”
 
Design for Humans, Not Just Guidelines

There’s a lot of talk about posture and ergonomic ‘correctness’, but as Neil notes, most people instinctively adjust their environment in ways that suit them - whether or not those align with formal recommendations.
“Even in the world’s most ergonomic chair, I’ll find a way to sit in it differently because it just works for me at that moment.”
Instead of enforcing how people should sit or work, he argues for optional design - spaces that support diverse behaviours, not dictate them.
 
The Power of Psychological Comfort

Beyond the physical, Neil points to the importance of psychological comfort: how a space feels can be just as important as how it functions.
Lighting, acoustics and even the atmosphere of a space can impact how comfortable we feel - sometimes in ways we can’t articulate.
“It might all be designed correctly, but if something feels off, we notice,” he says.
True comfort, he suggests, is both sensed and sought after.
 
Respecting Individual Workstyles

Neil draws a useful distinction between comfort and control.
The latter refers to people’s ability to influence their environment - whether that’s moving to a different setting or adjusting temperature and lighting. Providing this control is crucial to creating environments that feel responsive and respectful.
While activity-based working and mobility are encouraged, Neil cautions against forcing people to move simply for the sake of it.
If someone finds a setting that works for them, they shouldn’t feel pressured to relocate. “The workplace won’t fail,” he says, “just because someone uses the same desk every day.”
 
Designing for Experience

Neil also reflects on how the idea of the workplace experience has evolved.
While some may see it as a post-pandemic trend, he believes the experience has always been important - it’s just that expectations have now risen.
Today’s workspaces need to earn their place in an employee’s life, offering a high-quality environment that goes beyond superficial perks.
“A great experience isn't about gimmicks like free coffee,” Neil says. “It’s about attention to detail. We must sweat the small stuff.”
 
Final Thoughts

Neil’s insights challenge us to rethink what comfort really means in the workplace.
It's not about ticking ergonomic boxes or installing the latest furniture. It’s about creating environments that embrace both physical and psychological comfort - creating environments that are supportive, flexible and fundamentally human.
In a world where physical spaces have to justify their relevance, designing for genuine comfort - isn’t just thoughtful, it’s a design responsibility.