Behind Office Doors: What Winning Workplace Experiences Look Like

The office isn't dead. It's evolving. And the smartest companies know the workplace isn't just real estate; it's a competitive advantage.

Take a look at a few workplaces we're obsessed with and see how they're blending intentional design, flexible work, and cutting-edge tech to create workplaces people actually want to come to.

These examples are big, bold, and highly customized. In upcoming part two, we’ll show how workplaces of any size can apply the same principles.

Cisco: Smart Offices, Smarter Hybrid

Cisco, a global leader in networking and collaboration, employs nearly 85,000 people across more than 90 countries. Their PENN1 office in New York isn’t just a showcase for hybrid work tech — it’s a living lab, where space, data, and collaboration tools come together to create a smarter way to work.

What they’re doing

Cisco is redefining hybrid work by integrating advanced technology into every facet of the office experience. Their Penn1 office in New York City serves as a model, featuring 92 video endpoints, real-time occupancy tracking, and environmental monitoring systems to ensure optimal air quality and energy efficiency.

The design includes various collaboration spaces equipped with dual-screen setups and smart furnishings to facilitate seamless interaction between in-person and remote participants. Cisco's has set the bar high for creating such adaptable, hybrid-first work environments.

Why it makes an impact

By embedding technology into the physical workspace, Cisco enhances employee productivity. The smart office design supports diverse work styles and ensures that employees have the tools and environments they need to collaborate effectively, regardless of location. 

This approach not only improves the employee experience but also provides valuable data to inform future workplace strategies.

Duolingo: Building Workplaces That Are Inspiring and Inclusive

Duolingo is a leading edtech platform with approximately 830 employees across offices in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Known for its gamified approach to education, the company brings that same energy to its workplace design.

What they’re doing

Duolingo’s NYC office ditches the boring corporate lobby in favor of an art gallery filled with the brand’s playful characters. Step inside, and you’ll find a workplace designed like a choose-your-own-adventure.

There’s a tranquil library with carrels for deep focus, a buzzing café with emerald-green seating and lush plants, and a mix of conference rooms, phone booths, and open desks. Moreso, each space has been intentionally designed to cater to the needs of employees with different work styles, including those who are neurodiverse.

“It’s about giving as much optionality to folks as possible. What do you need on a certain day to be effective? It’s different on different days," explains VP of Workplace Sean Devlin.

The company backs this up with biannual engagement surveys and monthly leadership check-ins, a commitment to iterating the space as employee needs evolve.

Why it makes an impact

This isn’t just a cool design flex; it’s a meaningful investment in trust, autonomy, and inclusivity. Employees get to shape their environment to match their work style, whether they need deep focus or collaborative energy.

In a hybrid model where CEO Luis von Ahn expects three days in the office, Duolingo creates an experience worth the commute. 

Hilton: Turning Hospitality Inward

Hospitality isn’t just Hilton’s business, it’s their culture. With 180,000+ employees and corporate hubs from McLean, Virginia to Singapore, Hilton is proving that the same care they give guests belongs inside the workplace. Their offices are a reflection of that ethos, designed to feel as welcoming as their hotels.

What they’re doing

Hilton has reimagined its corporate offices to reflect its signature hospitality, and it’s not just about aesthetics. Their Singapore office features biophilic design, natural wood elements, a barista-run café, and a fully equipped gym.

Beyond design, Hilton has fully embraced flexibility. Their hybrid work model gives employees the choice to split time between home and office, with an emphasis on purpose-driven in-office days. People come in to collaborate, brainstorm, and connect, not just to clock hours.

Hilton’s culture initiatives are just as intentional. Team Member Resource Groups drive inclusion across communities. And through Thrive@Hilton, the company invests in holistic wellness, offering employees everything from meditation tools to financial coaching.

Why it makes an impact

Hilton’s approach builds belonging, flexibility, and well-being into the fabric of work. Employees aren’t just showing up to a beautiful space, they’re coming into an environment that prioritizes connection, growth, and purpose. This leads to stronger retention, better collaboration, and a genuine sense of pride in the workplace. The overwhelmingly positive employee experience is the reason that Hilton is globally recognized as one of the best companies to work for.

Samsung: Design Innovation as a Form of Employee Care

At Samsung Electronics, innovation doesn’t stop at products. With 260,000+ employees worldwide and a sprawling North American HQ in San Jose, Samsung is using workplace design as a way to fuel creativity, support well-being, and keep its teams connected in a fast-moving industry.

What they’re doing

Samsung’s North American HQ in San Jose, designed by NBBJ, isn’t just a design statement — it’s a blueprint for a more human-centered workplace. The 10-story campus includes: 

• Open-air gardens
• A central courtyard
• Transparent facades 

These features are meant to encourage connection across teams. But what really sets Samsung apart is how it uses its physical space to support flexible, meaningful work.

The workspace is intentionally zoned for different modes of work: from open collaboration hubs to quiet, heads-down areas and dedicated R&D labs. Employees have access to onsite wellness centers, fitness facilities, and relaxation spaces, reflecting the company’s focus on whole-person wellbeing. 

Importantly, the office doubles as a platform for cultural initiatives. Samsung hosts volunteer events, mentoring programs, and innovation challenges onsite, turning the workplace into a space where community, learning, and purpose come together, and emphasizing that work is not just a place to sit at a desk.

Why it makes an impact

Samsung’s approach to workspace design and culture sends a clear message: the office is a destination for creativity, connection, and care, not just four walls and cubicles. 

By embedding wellness, flexibility, and purpose into the physical environment, Samsung creates a workplace where employees can bring their best selves and their best ideas. This kind of thoughtful workplace strategy drives engagement, innovation, and retention.

Air France-KLM: Redesigning with purpose

With nearly 79,000 employees worldwide, Air France-KLM’s reach spans the globe, but their Milan office redesign proves they haven’t lost sight of the people at the heart of it all. The airline turned to employees for input, creating a workspace that reflects their needs, aspirations, and daily realities.

What they’re doing

When Air France-KLM set out to redesign its Milan headquarters, it didn’t hand off a blueprint and hoped for the best, it put its people at the center of the process. Working with Progetto CMR, the company started by asking the most important question: understand how employees work, what they value, and what makes them feel supported in the office. As the design team put it:

“From the very beginning, there was the willingness to create a successful workplace by understanding the needs and behavior of the people using the space.”

The result is a workspace that balances flexibility, focus, and connection. Employees wanted places to collaborate, reset, and get heads-down work done. The office features:

• Open-plan team zones
• Glass-enclosed meeting rooms
• Private phone booths
• Adaptable breakout spaces

Soft tones, natural materials, and biophilic elements like greenery make the space feel calm and human, not cold or corporate.

Why it makes an impact

By putting employee consultation at the center of the design process, Air France-KLM did more than just build a beautiful office, it built trust. When employees walk into this space, they know it was designed for them, not imposed on them. That sense of ownership drives stronger engagement, deeper satisfaction, and better cross-functional collaboration.

The physical environment becomes more than just a backdrop; it becomes an active enabler of culture, connection, and purpose. 

What These Offices Can Teach Us

The companies leading the charge in workplace innovation aren’t just redesigning offices — they’re rethinking what the office is for. They understand that the workplace isn’t about rows of desks or trendy amenities; it’s about creating spaces where people can thrive, connect, and do their best work.

What sets these leaders apart isn’t just design, it’s intention. They’re listening to employees, building flexibility into their spaces, and using technology to make the workplace frictionless. That’s the difference between an office people have to show up to and one they want to show up to.

The commonality? They all use workplace tech to make it happen. And with Robin, you can build the kind of inspiring, employee-centered workplace others will aspire to, too.