Designing with Empathy: Lessons from Building Our Own Office

Walking in Our Clients’ Shoes

When we set out to design and build our new headquarters, we made a deliberate choice: to treat Clearspace as if we were one of our own clients. That meant no shortcuts, no skipping steps, and no insider fast-tracking. We held ourselves to the same process we ask of every client — from defining requirements to balancing budgets, making tough trade-offs, and seeing the project through construction.

The experience gave us a new perspective. For the first time, we weren’t just consultants and builders — we were also the client, navigating the same decisions and pressures our partners face every day.

Budget, Space, and Culture

Like any client project, ours began with constraints. We had a fixed budget, a defined square footage, and a clear cultural vision for how we wanted our space to work.

The budget forced us to make disciplined choices. But limits kept us focused. We had to ask ourselves the same questions our clients do: What matters most? What will truly support our people and our work?

At the same time, our culture shaped the program. We wanted a workplace that would inspire creativity, support collaboration, and reflect who Clearspace is today. That meant prioritizing open, flexible spaces for teamwork, while still giving people places to focus and recharge.

Where We Invested, Where We Pulled Back

Every project involves choices — and ours was no different. We invested in areas that would have the most impact: materials and finishes that showcase design quality, key spaces like client-facing meeting rooms, and social areas that bring our team together.

In other places, we pulled back. Not every corner needed the highest-end finish. Some furniture choices were phased in, and a few “nice-to-haves” were postponed. What mattered was creating a space that balanced aspiration with pragmatism — the same balance we encourage our clients to strike.

Being candid about these trade-offs also reminded us that great design doesn’t mean unlimited spending. It means knowing where to focus investment to get the most value.

What Surprised Us

Even with years of experience, being on the other side of the process came with surprises. Decision fatigue set in quickly. Timelines felt tighter when we were the ones waiting.

But there were wins too. Walking through our own office for the first time after install, we felt the same pride and excitement we see in our clients. The process was about building alignment as a team, and proving to ourselves that the way we work really delivers results.

How the Process Changed Our Approach

Living through the client experience changed us. We now have a deeper empathy for what our clients go through: the pressure of budgets, the stress of timelines, the endless decisions that pile up along the way.

That empathy makes us better partners. We’re more aware of when to push, when to simplify, and when to reassure. We know firsthand how much it helps to have a trusted guide who can filter complexity and focus attention on what truly matters.

Better Partners, Better Results

This project was about sharpening our practice. By walking in our clients’ shoes, we’ve strengthened the way we engage with them.

We can now say, with even greater conviction, that our process works. We know the value of clear requirements, disciplined trade-offs, and thoughtful design — not because we’ve only delivered it for others, but because we’ve lived it ourselves.

That experience allows us to bring more empathy, more credibility, and more insight to every future project. And ultimately, that means better outcomes for our clients.

A Practice Refined

Clearspace doesn’t just design offices. We evolve by living them.

Our new headquarters is a case study, a learning lab, and a reminder that great spaces aren’t just built, they’re earned through process, discipline, and collaboration.

By treating ourselves as the client, we refined not only our space, but also our practice. And that’s the true value we carry forward: the ability to design with empathy, deliver with confidence, and build environments that help our clients succeed.