Meet 2024 Next Work Environment Competition winner of the wellness category: Gensler and their Work & Mother submission.
Ellen Gravesmill
Gajun Lau
Alanna Talty
The Gensler team, Ellen Gravesmill, Gajun Lau and Alanna Talty created elevated, comfortable and intentional lactation suites for working mothers.
Check out the submission below:
Work & Mother caters to both the employer and employee, challenging the status quo of mothers returning to work. As like-minded organizations, the global design firm and Work & Mother recognized that mother’s and wellness suites should provide users with the dignity they deserve, especially in the design of its commercial lactation suites. Addressing both the employer’s challenge of creating equitable spaces that support mothers and attract top talent, and the employee’s need for quality environments during a demanding time, the partnership has led to the creation of a nurturing and inclusive space for landlords to provide as a building amenity.
The thing that I love about work and mother specifically is that it is a third party platform that you can roll out with any within any office tower.
— The 2024 Next Work Environment Judge Panel
For the 730 Third Avenue suite in New York, the team employed inclusive design strategies to create comfortable and flexible environments where employees feel safe and supported. The small footprint of the allotted space was thoughtfully planned to create a functioning environment, fostering the atmosphere needed for pumping mothers. Individual rooms are configured with a desk or lounge seating and are equipped with pumping accessories and hospital-grade breast pumps. Cold storage and cleaning areas line the walls to maximize use of the small space.
Incorporating the suites as a building amenity allows tenants to provide exceptional support to new parents returning to work, satisfying an employer’s FLSA obligation and addressing the newly enacted PUMP Act. The suites also help landlords address the Return to Office movement by acknowledging that the #RTO effort is not just about physical space but also about fostering a culture that values social good and wellbeing.
In addition to lactation suites, Work & Mother provides landlords with plans for wellness suites that could include a combination of private rooms and large flex spaces, equipped with massage chairs, nap pods, interactive lighting, and other ergonomic furniture. The suite of offerings includes single-user and shared spaces for telehealth visits, religious practices, yoga, and guided meditation sessions.
Though each concept is entirely customizable, the intent is for each user to leave feeling better than when they started. With the availability of healing environments, Work & Mother fosters a culture of holistic wellbeing in the workplace, ensuring that the Return-to-Work effort is a seamless, supportive, and empowering experience for all mothers.
What I loved about this project is that working mothers are some of the most efficient people, and the idea that you can get something accomplished and pump in this space is very thoughtful.
— The 2024 Next Work Environment Judge Panel
We connected with the Gensler team to see how Work & Mother pioneers new trends in wellness innovation:
One wellness trend gaining traction is the creation of inclusive and adaptable wellness spaces. This approach is particularly relevant for projects with limited footprints, where designing equitable spaces can be challenging but essential to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Future implementations should focus on collaborating with base building clients to integrate wellness amenities from the outset, ensuring these features are fundamental rather than supplementary. Recognizing the importance of neurodiversity, it’s crucial to design soothing spaces that cater to a spectrum of sensory preferences. This might involve incorporating quiet zones, adjustable lighting, and varied textures and colors to accommodate different comfort levels.
Additionally, for lactation suites, the emphasis should be on creating a warm and welcoming environment rather than a sleek, high-tech space. Comfortable seating, privacy, and a calming atmosphere are key elements that make these spaces feel inviting. By prioritizing these aspects, we can develop wellness spaces that are not only inclusive and adaptable but also genuinely supportive of diverse needs. This trend aligns well with the goal of creating environments that promote overall well-being and inclusivity.
Special thanks to our 2024 Innovative Brand Partners:
