The office campus isn't dead—it's moving outdoors

by Rob McManus
| July 14, 2026 4:00 AM

Creating an office campus outdoors lets your employees feel more motivated. They'll enjoy fresh air, and you also get to make use of the lawns and courtyards you spend a lot of money maintaining. Work with your team to know which features they'd like you to add to the space.

According to Talker Research, 57% of people were craving being able to spend more time outdoors in 2024. You'll make your workers happier if you have open-air offices where they can do their tasks as they interact with nature.

It's easier to retain employees when you show you care about their well-being.

What Is a Company Campus?

A large workplace that brings all your business operations together. You don't have to pay for several buildings across town. If you have many departments and a big team, you can have a campus with:

Shared spaces
Multiple buildings for different purposes
Outdoor areas
Employee amenities

Your workers will be more flexible if they have all the things they need for work in one campus. Ensure you have quiet spaces outside, too. Employees often like using these areas when they want to work without overhearing calls or meetings.

What Is the Purpose of a Campus?

Creating a space where employees are able to work and communicate with each other better. Don't just think of ways your employees can finish their tasks when coming up with campus design in North Idaho.

Make it easier for employees to access every department they need. It's harder for different departments to collaborate when they are in different parts of town. A campus will help you:

Create more opportunities for employees to have casual conversations
Make it easier for employees to support each other
Create a great impression of your company

If you need more room because your team is growing, you probably don't have to rent another building or construct one. Look for ways to use your outdoor space. Your employees will be happy to use these areas when the weather is good outside.

Reimagining the Modern Office Campus

You should be keeping up with office space trends so you can make your workplace attractive. A lot of employees like working in companies where they feel more flexible and cared for. Always consider the kind of work your teams do when creating outdoor spaces for them.

Create Comfortable Outdoor Workspaces

Employees will try to avoid spending time outside if they have to be in the sun when they also have the option of working indoors. Uncomfortable seating areas are also a bad idea for outdoor workspaces. You need to make it easier for workers to access:

Reliable internet
Shade
Protection from changing weather

Have charging stations where someone can plug in their laptop or other tools when running out of power. Once you invest in weather-resistant furniture, you won't spend a lot of money every few months getting new things.

Building Open-Air Meeting Areas

Conference rooms sometimes feel too formal. They may not be suitable for all kinds of meetings. Some clients prefer discussing business in places where they feel relaxed. As you look for modern office design ideas, don't ignore those you can apply outdoors.

Having meetings outside breaks the boredom of being indoors during the entire workday. Look for an open space and create an area where your teams can meet once in a while. It feels more relaxing to be outdoors, and it may even motivate your employees to be more creative.

Adding Nature in Your Design

You don't have to turn the entire outdoor space into a working area. If you place oversized planter pots with beautiful greenery around the property, it will look more inviting.

Use such features to create natural boundaries. After you separate the seating zones you have outside, several teams can have their meetings there without distracting each other a lot.

Try to make your outdoor company campus a space where people look forward to spending time in. A lot of business owners are adding:

Water features
Native trees and plants
Living walls with climbing plants
Wooden pergolas

Ask your employees what they think would make your outdoor space more relaxing for them. They probably have a few workspace innovation ideas you haven't even thought of.

You'll be able to define your spaces better with plants. Having walls sometimes makes the outdoor areas of a company campus feel restrictive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Outdoor Offices Only Useful for Large Companies?

No. Even if you don't have a lot of space to create an office campus, work with what you have. It's possible to make your workers happier by just adding a seating area where they can hang out once in a while.

Ensure the design you go for is something they can actually use. If you have a patio or courtyard you don't use a lot, you can redo it. Having a charging area and internet there makes it more usable.

What Should I Consider Before Building an Outdoor Campus?

The climate in your area and the amount you're comfortable spending. Never ignore your employees' needs. They'll end up staying indoors even after you create a beautiful campus. The space should be accessible too.

When you work with designers and involve your team, you won't have to waste money making a lot of changes later on.

How Do Outdoor Spaces Help During Office Renovations?

Some employees can keep working outside until the renovations are done. Many businesses have to close for a while when there's a leak or when there's some remodeling going on in the office.

Create an outdoor office campus so it can help during such times. Employees will have areas to work from instead of crowding into a few offices.

Embracing Office Campus Trends

Your office campus will be more useful when you use the outdoor spaces you have creatively. Having a few benches on the lawn isn't always enough. You need to ensure the area is comfortable and has all the things your employees will need as they work.

Give them a space to enjoy fresh air even when they aren't on a break. They'll become more productive. Learn more about workplace evolution trends on our news page.

This article was prepared by an independent contributor which helps us continue delivering quality content to our audiences.