A Guide to Future-Proof Workspaces with Kay Sargent
1/ How important are acoustics, tactility and material warmth at floor level for cognitive performance across different life stages and what role do they play?
From 10 years of research into neurodiversity, sensory processing and cognitive well-being, acoustics is the issue people mention most. The key is not making spaces silent, but improving sound absorption. Soft flooring helps reduce noise, soften footfall and create a warmer, more comfortable feel.
Flooring also plays an important role in wayfinding and defining zones. Changes in pattern or material can help people understand a space better, especially in open layouts. But balance matters. Too much hard flooring can create acoustic problems, while too much carpet can also be limiting. The best approach is to use flooring strategically to support acoustics, orientation and comfort.
One more point, AI can generate spaces that look appealing, but it often fails to consider how people will actually feel in them. Flooring and lighting are two areas where human judgment is still essential.
2/ What is the first material or element designers should consider when creating a workspace?
Colour is one of the most important starting points. Natural tones, textures and patterns make a space feel more organic and comfortable, unlike stark white environments that rarely exist in nature.
Flooring and wall materials play a key role here. For example, a rug or a change in flooring pattern can define areas, help people navigate a space and make interiors feel grounded. Without this, furniture can feel like it is floating in an undefined environment. Thoughtful use of colour, texture and flooring helps create spaces that feel more natural and structured.
3/ How should we rethink lifecycle, circularity and replacement cycles when specifying carpet tiles or broadloom for the next 15 to 20 years?
The way many workplaces handle interiors today is not sustainable. In corporate projects, it is common to remove and replace everything, even when many materials still have years of life left. This creates unnecessary waste and cost.
Instead, we should focus on extending the lifespan of materials. Many flooring products today are designed to last a long time and strategies like rotating carpet tiles or replacing only specific areas can significantly extend their use.
Sustainability also means rethinking habits. Rather than discarding materials too early, we should look at reuse, repurposing and recycling at the end of their lifecycle. The goal is to create a circular system where materials remain in use for as long as possible and can be reintegrated into new products.
So I think a lot of this is habits and we also need to think about how are we repurposing things at the end of life. That's really critical. And are we making it so it is full circle, right? So that we're reusing, you know, it might be recycled materials that are going back in and then, it's like this whole big cycle.
4/ Stephen Hawking once said the two biggest threats to humanity were a large asteroid and autonomous AI. What is your perspective on that?
AI brings both optimism and concern. People looking at the next five years tend to see its positive potential, while those thinking 40 years ahead often view it as a possible existential risk.
The real challenge is that we do not fully know where this technology will lead. While many people will use AI with good intentions, even a small number of bad actors with powerful tools can create serious problems. At the same time, many organizations are adopting AI quickly out of fear of falling behind, often without fully understanding the consequences.
The key is to stay curious and explore its possibilities, but to use AI intentionally and responsibly. Human judgment and critical thinking remain essential in deciding how and when to apply it.
