Facility planning is no longer about fitting as many desks and meeting rooms as possible into a workplace; it’s about creating spaces that enhance the workplace experience to serve the employees and improve business.
Historically, food (and beverage) has been a driving force in bringing humans together. Food builds relationships and creates community; whether it’s a cup of tea with a friend, a family dinner, a trip to the market, or a celebratory gathering. Food is one of the foundations of the human experience that energizes us physically and mentally.
In a hybrid work environment, the office pantry has evolved beyond the place to grab a quick snack. Workplace pantries continue morphing into a unique and vital hub to foster communication and well-being, which leads to improved collaboration.
At HF Planners, we provide you with expert interior design and facility planning services so you can make smart decisions about creating or renovating office pantries and amenity areas Workplace pantries that are functional and sustainable can provide cost-saving and sustainability practices that are appealing to today’s workforce.
Pantry Redesign for Publicly Traded Full-Service Financial Institute featuring Acoustical Solutions, Snack Machines, and ADA-compliant cabinetry.
The Role of Workplace Pantries in Facility Planning
Companies recognize the importance of offering flexible hybrid work schedules, which result in employees splitting their time between the home and office. Communal spaces like workplace ‘cafes’, create a connection between these two environments by encouraging casual interaction, which explains the growing demand for these spaces.
Office pantries serve as informal gathering areas where employees can exchange ideas, build relationships, and take much-needed breaks to recharge. As part of a well-thought-out workplace strategy, a well-designed pantry can elevate employee health and well-being thus fueling productivity.
Here are 5 pantries HF Planners’s designed for clients in diverse industries with different business needs and budgets.
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1. Corporate Cafe at Telecommunications Company
This large pantry of our telecommunications client was created with custom millwork designs by HF Planner’s Interior Designer and coordinated by one of our experienced Project Managers to support a tech-savvy workforce.
This space offers a modern and efficient environment for employees to take breaks and interact with each other throughout their workday. The customized cabinet millwork accommodates featured state-of-the-art appliances, ice machine, dishwasher, and microwave that come in doubles for the large workforce on this floor.
This pantry highlights the importance of facility planning in creating a space that caters to the unique needs of the human experience in the day-to-day hybrid work environment
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2. Communal Co Working Kitchenette
For HF Planners’s coworking company client, this cozy pantry nook serves as a central hub for networking in a communal ‘resi-mercial’-styled seated area. This space is designed to accommodate a diverse group of users with ample storage and a dishwasher for ease.
It includes sustainable design initiatives, such as recycling stations, to reflect the company’s commitment to a green workplace.
This pantry exemplifies how creative facility planning services can develop unique spaces that meet the needs of human-centric facility planning, fostering communication and collaboration among users.
3. Repurposed Corner at Consumer Goods Logistics Office
The pantry at HF Planners’s global consumer goods manufacturing client is a testament to the importance of strategic facility planning. What once was an underutilized space of 200 sq ft at the end of a hallway, turned into a functional and open space with pantry storage, a refrigerator with a writable surface, and high-top seating. Designed to support a segmented area of the workforce in a separate branch of the workplace, this space features close access to amenities that fuel productivity.
4. Welcoming Entrance & Client Coffee Bar
The office pantry of HF Planners.’s Land Title Agency client was designed with a focus on creating a welcoming yet private environment for their employees and visiting clients. The space features a coffee station to encourage casual interactions when grabbing an afternoon snack.
By incorporating sustainable design initiatives such as energy-efficient lighting and eco-friendly materials, this pantry also aligns with the company’s commitment to a green workplace with durable and easy-to-clean materials.
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5. Container Company Warehouse Pantry
In a warehouse setting, the office pantry serves a dual purpose: it provides a much-needed break area for employees and acts as a space for casual interactions and communication. The pantry at HF Planners.’s warehouse client was meticulously and thoughtfully designed based on ample access to appliances.
This space is essential for promoting employee well-being by keeping energy levels up during shifts. By creating a functional and ADA-compliant environment, we managed the build of 2 pantries to help foster a sense of community to support where employees feel valued and connected after a long day at work.
It is now a space that builds community and culture by serving as a gathering spot where employees from different departments can connect.
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We Design Spaces That Work
Today’s office pantries are more than a place to grab a snack; they are essential components of a well-rounded workplace strategy. By focusing on human-centric facility planning, HF Planners works with you to create workplace cupboards that enhance employee well-being while fostering a community of collaboration and culture that supports your hybrid work environment.
Investing in a thoughtfully designed office pantry will make a significantly positive impact on employee satisfaction and productivity. If you don’t already have a pantry in your facility or workplace, we can help. If you have a pantry that needs to be reimagined, we can help. In either scenario, offering an engaging and supportive environment makes it easier to attract and retain top talent. Whether it’s through environmentally friendly appliances and practices, creating comfortable seating areas, or supplying healthy snacks, a well-implemented pantry is an opportunity to enhance your workplace strategy.
Experience the results of what a strategic facility design and plan can help you achieve when it’s paired with a human-centric approach to office pantries.
Let’s talk about how we can transform your workplace today. Schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Workplace Strategists www.hfplanners.com to take the first step toward designing a space that works where you work.
