Past Event

London, UK

During the last week of February 2026, WOD returned to the 2026 edition of the Workspace Design Show, the UK’s leading workspace interiors exhibition which took place at the Business Design Centre in London.

Our curated session opened with an intimate panel discussion on “Anthropology in Design”, exploring how human behaviour, sensory experience and wellbeing should be the true starting point of every space we create – led by industry experts; Kirsty Angerer (HLW), Jennifer L. Bryan FCIPD, May Fawzy (MF Design Studio Ltd), Rosie Oliver (Gensler) and Harsha Kotak (SDC – Sustainable Design Collective and K2 Space).

The conversation was honest and thought-provoking. Here’s what stayed with us:

We design for requirements. We should design for people. Designers often default to fixed briefs — 2 boardrooms, 5 quiet rooms, 180 desks. But what are people actually doing? How are they feeling? The best spaces start with observation, not specification.

Placement matters. If it’s in the wrong place, no one will use it. Even the most beautifully designed feature becomes invisible if it doesn’t account for real behaviour. Introverted users won’t seek out exposed quiet zones. We have to design for the full spectrum of personalities and working styles.

Measurement matters, but numbers alone aren’t enough. Sensors, air quality monitors, thermal data and utilisation studies tell part of the story. Pair them with qualitative insight – surveys, focus groups, lived experience and you get the full picture.

Senior leaders need to role-model new ways of working, When senior leaders don’t role-model new ways of working, the impact is enormous. We’re talking $306 billion in lost US productivity ( statistics brought up by Jennifer L. Bryan during the discussion) because culture eats strategy, and space, for breakfast.

After the discussion, our group moved through a guided exhibition tour of five carefully selected exhibitors: Impact acoustics, CBS, Art for office, Oasis plants & Bisley. Each demonstrating how their products respond to real human needs, comfort, choice, acoustic wellbeing and sensory experience.

We wrapped up with drinks, laughter and the kind of conversations that don’t end when the event does. Thank you to every single person who joined us, your openness, energy and insight made this something truly special.