CAPTIF designs and creates people-centred workplaces

Designing and building workplaces that revolve around people, teams, and the future: that is what CAPTIF does. Founded in 2017, with offices in Antwerp and Brussels, the company has positioned itself from day one as a true workplace specialist. Today, CAPTIF employs sixteen people.

Benjamin Vandamme, one of the four founders, explains: “We are a workplace consultancy, not a furniture supplier. We guide companies from A to Z in the way they work. When organisations are based in older office buildings and want to modernise, we don’t just redesign the environment; we also rethink the way people work. We help with the analysis, the development of a workplace concept, the design process, and the implementation.”

A thoughtful approach to workplace design

To ensure every project truly reflects the organisation, CAPTIF starts by analysing the company’s needs and workplace culture.

“We first look at how an organisation operates today. Some companies still work in more traditional, closed structures, with employees in separate offices, while others fully embrace open-plan environments. Both models can work, depending on the organisation. We then organise workshops, interviews, and employee surveys to identify opportunities for improvement.”

Their approach goes remarkably deep.

“We sometimes spend an entire day on-site, joining employees for coffee and lunch in the cafeteria to understand what works and what doesn’t. Based on those observations, we create a detailed report with recommendations drawn from our experience and, where appropriate, set up pilot zones to test concepts in practice.”

According to Vandamme, there is no one-size-fits-all formula for the ideal workplace.

“We may be office specialists, but we can’t tell a company on day one exactly what it needs. We create a framework while recognising that workplace needs will continue to evolve in the years ahead. That’s why we remain involved after implementation, making adjustments where necessary, reviewing certain elements, and conducting satisfaction surveys.”

The lasting impact of COVID-19

CAPTIF still sees the long-term effects of the pandemic in workplace environments every day, although the impact varies significantly from one organisation to another.

“Some companies hardly had to change their workplaces because they were already future-proof. BSH (Bosch Siemens), for example, is a client for whom we designed the workplace before COVID-19, but they only moved in afterwards. The concept was already so future-proof that virtually nothing needed to be adapted. They were already working in an activity-based environment.”

Other organisations had to adapt much faster.

“Some companies had considered remote work before, but suddenly had to take baby steps, such as introducing one day of working from home per week. Since then, they have fully embraced that evolution. Whereas working in the office five days a week used to be the norm, it has now become the exception.”

The office and the war for talent

At the same time, the role of the office has changed fundamentally.

“In the past, efficiency was the primary focus. Today, companies want to make the office an attractive destination. Most organisations offer hybrid working models, with employees spending part of the week in the office and part working remotely. While this flexibility supports a healthy work-life balance, it also creates underused office space, while rental and fit-out costs continue to rise.”

As a result, the importance of a well-designed workplace has only increased.

“The office now plays a key role in the war for talent. Companies realise that an attractive workplace is essential for attracting and retaining the right people. When organisations invest in office space, they want employees to actually enjoy coming in.”

From assigned desks to activity-based working

The way companies organise their offices has changed dramatically over the past decade.

“Ten to fifteen years ago, almost every employee or team had a private office or an assigned desk in an open-plan environment. This evolved into flexible workplaces, where departments shared dedicated zones with hot desks. At that stage, there was still enough desk space for everyone.”

Over time, organisations started using office space more efficiently.

“Companies began working with occupancy ratios. For example, a team of ten people might only be provided with six desks.”

Today, the focus is increasingly shifting towards activity-based working.

“Depending on the activity, specific acoustic zones are created: from quiet spaces for concentrated work and confidential documents to semi-loud and loud zones for brainstorming sessions and collaboration. This has become a major workplace trend in recent years.”

However, Vandamme stresses that there is no universal blueprint for the perfect office.

“It doesn’t work for every organisation. In law firms, for example, more traditional office layouts with private or shared offices often remain the norm. Activity-based working, on the other hand, works extremely well for technology companies where project-based collaboration is common.”

Workplace experience as an added layer

Alongside functionality and flexibility, workplace experience is becoming increasingly important.

“Employers no longer want to create merely efficient workplaces. They want environments that reflect their identity and where employees genuinely enjoy spending time. Companies want their offices to tell a story. Technology, comfort, aesthetics—every aspect of the workplace is carefully considered. The entire experience needs to feel right in order to attract new generations of talent.”

According to Vandamme, this goes far beyond ergonomics.

“It’s not just about a comfortable office chair or a sit-stand desk. It’s about employee wellbeing and overall workplace experience. Factors such as acoustics, lighting, temperature, ventilation, and biophilic design all play an important role.”

Access to high-quality drinking water has also become a key element of workplace wellbeing.

“In the past, we mainly designed coffee points. Today, water points have become just as important. AQUALEX perfectly responds to this growing focus on water experience and premium drinking water in the workplace.”

“Water has become part of the workplace experience”

CAPTIF has been working with AQUALEX for many years and has witnessed the changing role of drinking water in office environments.

“When we started, sustainability discussions focused mainly on waste management and paperless offices. Yet many workplaces still featured large water coolers, often accompanied by storage rooms filled with plastic water bottles. It wasn’t environmentally friendly and certainly didn’t fit within a beautifully designed office.”

For CAPTIF, AQUALEX systems add value both practically and aesthetically.

“The filtered drinking water systems from AQUALEX are not only sustainable but also create a highly comfortable user experience. Employees can choose sparkling, still, chilled, or boiling water from a single system. And on top of that, the design looks great.”

According to CAPTIF, the systems integrate seamlessly into contemporary workplace concepts.

“You can choose AQUALEX taps in virtually any finish. That is a valuable addition to our mood boards. The tap becomes part of the design rather than an element that has to be added afterwards.”

He adds: “The service offering, including leasing options and maintenance contracts, is also very well organised. We enjoy incorporating AQUALEX into our projects, and we use an AQUALEX tap in our own office as well, with great enthusiasm.”

CAPTIF’s office: practising what you preach

CAPTIF applies these principles not only in client projects but also within its own workplace.

“Our office is located in a loft in Antwerp, between the city centre and the ring road, with plenty of natural daylight and a warm industrial atmosphere. We have lots of plants and provide fresh fruit for our employees. Practice what you preach.”

The way the team works reflects the same philosophy.

“Our sixteen employees work together in a fully flexible environment. Nobody has an assigned desk. People are free to work from home whenever they wish. We simply apply the principles we believe in because they work for us.”