From Open Plan to Outcome-driven: The Changing Face of Cat B Fit Outs

Today’s Cat B fit outs go beyond desks and floorplans. They focus on culture, wellbeing, and performance. The modern workplace supports how your team operates and why it works that way. That’s why businesses are moving away from generic open plans toward outcome-driven environments tailored to their people and purpose.

If you’re planning an office move, adapting to hybrid work, or struggling to make your space work for your team, this article can help.

Let’s unpack what’s changed and what makes a Cat B fit out successful today.

What is a Cat B fit out and what should it include?

A Cat B fit out transforms an empty, functional shell (delivered as a Cat A fit out) into a fully operational workspace tailored to your team. Cat A includes basics such as lighting, HVAC, and raised floors. Cat B brings the space to life.

It’s where the design reflects your brand, supports how your people work, and creates the environment they want to spend time in.

A typical fit out includes:

  • Meeting rooms, quiet areas, and breakout zones
  • Brand-focused finishes, colours, and signage
  • Ergonomic furniture and smart tech integration
  • Kitchenettes, tea points, and comfort areas
  • Acoustic treatments and feature lighting

In short, Cat B is where your workspace becomes yours. It’s practical, people-focused, and purpose-built.

Why open-plan offices no longer work in modern fit outs

For years, the default approach to office design was open plan. Driven by cost efficiency and collaboration trends, open-plan layouts promised flexibility and fluid communication. But over time, cracks began to show.

  • Noise and distractions affected concentration and wellbeing.
  • Lack of privacy became a barrier to focus and sensitive discussions.
  • One-size-fits-all failed to reflect the varied needs of modern teams.

Growing teams often find themselves boxed in by their existing layout. Adding more desks rarely fixes the underlying problem. If your team only comes in three days a week, you don’t need the same space you had five years ago.

The pandemic only accelerated this rethink. With remote and hybrid models taking root, the office is no longer the default location for all work. Instead, it’s become a space for collaboration, culture, and connection. The implications for fit outs have been significant.

How does outcome-driven office design improve fit outs?

Modern interior fit outs are now driven by outcomes, not templates. Businesses are asking:

  • What do we want this space to achieve?
  • How can it reflect our culture and values?
  • What do our people need from the workplace?
  • How can we support wellbeing, productivity, and sustainability?

This shift affects everything from space planning to material selection. Instead of designing around desks, designers now work backwards from business objectives, team behaviours, and user needs.

What are the key trends in Cat B fit outs for 2025?

Here’s what we see driving the shift toward more outcome-focused fit outs:

1. Hybrid and flexible working

Employees are in the office less frequently but more purposefully. That means:

  • More meeting spaces for team collaboration
  • Fewer rows of desks
  • Hot-desking and quiet zones
  • Amenities that attract people in

2. Culture and brand experience

Offices have become a physical expression of a company’s identity. A good Cat B fit out now includes:

  • Branded graphics and colours
  • Spaces for informal connection and team rituals
  • Design that mirrors internal values and external positioning

3. Wellbeing and inclusion

Fit outs increasingly support mental health, physical comfort, and neurodiversity. Considerations include:

  • Biophilic design (natural light, greenery)
  • Adjustable lighting and temperature
  • Soundproof booths and retreat spaces
  • Ergonomic furniture and layouts

4. Environmental responsibility

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have. Clients expect:

  • Low VOC materials and recycled finishes
  • Energy-efficient lighting and controls
  • Reuse of existing elements where possible
  • Fit outs that support BREEAM, WELL, and other standards

5. Tech integration

A modern Cat B fit out bakes in technology not as an add-on, but as a fundamental part of how people interact with the space. Examples include wireless presentation systems, smart access and booking tools, and acoustic zoning with hybrid-ready AV rooms.

How do you know if a Cat B fit out has worked?

There’s no single formula for a great fit out. But there are signs that it’s working. Here’s what to look for:

  • Engagement: People feel connected to the brand and look forward to using the space
  • Flexibility: Teams change how they use the space as priorities shift
  • Performance: The environment encourages focus and meaningful collaboration
  • Retention: A well-designed space helps attract top talent and encourages them to stay
  • Sustainability: Materials and systems are chosen with the future in mind

A fit out works when the space genuinely supports your team’s goals and culture not just on paper, but in practice.

When your office reflects your values and supports how your team works, it becomes more than just a place to sit. It drives culture and connection.

What makes Bates Studio’s Cat B fit outs different?

At Bates Studio, we don’t walk in with a layout in mind. We start with a conversation. We focus on your culture, how your team works, and what they need to thrive.

Our approach is:

  • Culture-First: Every design decision starts with your team and values
  • Collaborative: We work closely with stakeholders at every step
  • No Bull: Transparent advice, honest timelines, and realistic budgets
  • Responsible: Sustainable choices from furniture to finishes
  • Human-Centred: Every square foot has purpose and impact

We design for how your team works now and how they’ll work next.

Are you rethinking your office?

If your workplace no longer reflects your team or supports your goals, it may be time to rethink the space. An outcome-driven Cat B fit out can help you:

  • Reconnect teams
  • Improve focus and wellbeing
  • Express your brand
  • Support hybrid working
  • Plan for long-term growth

An office that truly works for your team starts with thoughtful design.

Thinking about a Cat B fit out?

Let’s talk about what your workplace could achieve. Get in touch with Bates Studio and start a conversation that leads to more than just a fit out it leads to a better way of working.

Tell us about your workspace goals our team is ready to listen.

Explore our Office Design services, Office Fit Out process, and Workplace Consultancy to see how we can support your next step.