Designing spaces that work better for people
Poorly designed spaces cost organisations more than they realise. They affect wellbeing, productivity, customer experience and business performance. Multi Story Thinking helps organisations create workplaces, hospitality environments and student living spaces that support people, improve performance and unlock the hidden value within their environments
Why spaces matter - Better spaces create better outcomes
The environments we work, learn, socialise, and live in directly impact how we feel and behave. The right design can:
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Improve productivity
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Support wellbeing.
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Encourage collaboration.
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Strengthen organisational culture
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Enhance customer experience
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Increase revenue opportunities
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Improve staff retention
The wrong design can quietly undermine all of these. At Multi Story Thinking, we help organisations understand how their spaces are performing and identify opportunities to make them work harder for the people who use them.
Design experience grounded in practice and research
Jonathan Forster is a designer, educator and workplace specialist with more than twenty-five years of experience creating environments that balance people, performance and place. After graduating from the Royal College of Art with an MA in Design,
"The best moment is seeing the transformation of a space and the impact it has on people. It is fantastic when someone tells you how much of a difference the changes in their environment have made to their life."
Jonathan established his first design business in the late 1990s and has since worked across a broad range of sectors, including:
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Workplace
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Hospitality
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Student accommodation
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Community facilities
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Supported living
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Retail and commercial environments
This diverse experience has shaped a clear philosophy: Great design is not just about how a space looks. It is about how it works.
Let's unlock the potential in your space
Whether you are refreshing a workplace, improving a hospitality venue, enhancing student living environments or reviewing your furniture strategy, we can help.
Let's start with a conversation about how your space could work better for the people who use it.
Areas of expertise - Helping organisations create better environments
Our Engagement-led approach. Designing with people, not just for them
Most design projects begin with assumptions. Ours begin with questions. Through workshops, surveys and engagement tools, we help organisations understand:
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How spaces are used
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What is working?
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What is causing frustration?
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What users need
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Where opportunities exist
By involving the people who use a space, organisations gain valuable insights that lead to more successful design outcomes. This approach often improves:
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Staff satisfaction.
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User experience.
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Productivity.
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Buy-in and adoption
Furniture expertise - Furniture that supports performance
Furniture is one of the most influential elements within any environment.It shapes comfort, behaviour, wellbeing and the way people interact with a space. Through Multi Story Thinking and our partnership with FMS Interiors, we support clients with:
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Furniture strategy
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FF&E specification
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Procurement adviceProduct evaluation
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Sustainability reviews
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Installation support
Our goal is to help organisations make informed decisions that balance quality, durability, user experience and long-term value.
Industry meets academia - A unique perspective
Our work is informed by the latest research into workplace behaviour, wellbeing and interior design through Jonathan's role as Award Leader in Interior Design at the University of Plymouth. This role enables Multi Story Thinking to bridge the gap between industry and academia, bringing together:
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Current research
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Emerging trends
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Behavioural insight
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Future talent
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Real-world commercial experience
The result is a design approach that is both evidence-led and commercially grounded.