This New York office shows how to design for health and wellbeing in the workplace – Workplace | Design

Fintech company nate unveils its new headquarters in New York that’s designed to foster self-care and innovation

Set in the heart of New York City at 300 Park Avenue South, artificial intelligence shopping app nate’s new 13,000 square foot office has recently received a modern update, reflective of the company’s principles and grounded in open communication and personal growth.

“Think of an environment that is incredibly dynamic, challenging, ever-changing, yet somewhere you feel at home right away,” says Thais Branco, nate’s head of marketing. “The people, the innovative mindset, and the type of impact you can have are truly one of a kind.”

To reflect nate’s company culture and spirit, the HQ features a mix of relaxation and collaborative work areas. There are dedicated meditation and wellness rooms where employees can escape and unwind; a ping pong table to connect with colleagues; all-gender bathrooms; a rooftop that’s perfect for yoga; and a kitchen stocked with a variety of healthy snacks and drinks (kombucha is on tap).

Creating the freedom of balance, employees are able to take game breaks and mentally detach in a quiet space. Furthermore, self care also extends to a monthly wellness stipend the company offers employees to subsidise therapy costs, sessions that can be scheduled during the work day and taken in the office’s private pods.

“A creative work-life requires social relationships and serendipitous interactions, and studies have shown that these elements lead to greater effectiveness and innovative thinking,” says CEO and founder Albert Saniger.

In-person work has been found to support these qualities. An increase in remote work at Microsoft during the pandemic, for example, was correlated with a decrease in cross-group collaboration and overall call hours, a study found.

To encourage socialising and collaboration, most of the spaces are designed to be multi-functional. The kitchen is large enough for informal socialising, and on Fridays, the meditation room becomes a yoga and massage studio, courtesy of Soothe.

The space’s layout and features are an extension of the company’s investment in employee wellbeing. Employees receive $200 a month to support wellness goals alongside comprehensive health coverage, free access to Avo for easy grocery delivery, a one-year membership with online mental health care platform Talkspace, and $10,000 toward family planning.

“I feel lucky everyday to be surrounded by the incredibly smart, passionate, and empathetic people here,” says Director of Business Intelligence, Clare Blessen. “Every day is full of new challenges, but there’s constant support from not just my team but across the entire company, and in the process we laugh, disagree, (some of us) do yoga, and have a lot of fun together.”

By creating a balanced and healthy working environment where employees feel taken care of, nate is light years ahead of many businesses. Here, every employee has absolute freedom to choose their own work title, executives don’t have private offices, and interns aren’t stuck in isolated pits. By avoiding hierarchical barriers, nate aims to maximise opportunities for connection, collaboration, and ultimately, innovation.

Images by David Mitchell