10 Mar Celebrating Women in Workplace Design: Including our Design Director, Komel
Celebrating Women in Workplace Design: Including our Design Director, Komel
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we’re taking a moment to recognize the incredible contributions of women in workplace design—from early pioneers to today’s leaders like our own Komel Rahmati, who are shaping the way we experience and interact with office spaces.
This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating purposeful, human-centric environments that inspire creativity, foster collaboration, and support well-being.
One of those leading this transformation is award-winning Komel Rahmati, whose journey into workplace design is a testament to the power of following intuition and passion.
Following Intuition to Find Purpose
“I’ve always gravitated towards art and design for as long as I can remember,” Komel says. “I always enjoyed drawing and painting which led me towards textures a lot more than I expected. Naturally putting color schemes and visualizing perspectives became easy for me and enjoying the process was the cherry on top.”
This passion led Komel to workplace design, where she blends conceptual vision with a deep understanding of human behavior to craft environments that are both functional and inspiring.
Why Workplace Design Matters
The workplace is where people spend most of their life—40+ hours a week—yet so many offices don’t inspire human connection or allow for mindful rest,” Komel explains. “I wanted to change that by designing workplaces that prioritize both the employee experience and business needs.”
Komel’s human-centered approach integrates evidence-based design strategies to promote employee well-being. As a WELL AP, she incorporates:
✔ Natural light for energy and focus
✔ Biophilic design to enhance mood and reduce stress
✔ Collaborative spaces to foster innovation
✔ Wellness-focused amenities that support physical and mental well-being
Her mission? To challenge traditional office layouts and introduce forward-thinking solutions that help businesses thrive and attract top talent.
A Legacy of Women Shaping the Industry
The contributions of women in workplace design go back decades. Trailblazers like Florence Knoll Bassett redefined post-war office planning, integrating ergonomic furniture and open workspaces that continue to influence contemporary office design. Ray Eames, Aino Aalto, and Lina Bo Bardi pushed for human-centric, socially engaging office environments that prioritized comfort and collaboration. More recently, designers like Jeanne Gang and Kazuyo Sejima are leading the charge in sustainability and well-being-focused workplaces.
These pioneers paved the way for happier, healthier and more sustainable work environments—a vision that Komel, and fellow designers, continue to expand upon today.
Komel says, “Design is limitless, it’s unique… One person can view something and have a completely different perspective than someone else. My favorite part of designing is putting together concepts and color palettes for a project and seeing it come through to the final outcome of every project. It’s extremely gratifying to witness and makes the entire process worthwhile.”
The Future of Workplace Design
With hybrid work culture evolving, the demand for flexibility, sustainability, and well-being has never been stronger.
Komel is particularly excited about the rise of hospitality-inspired design in workplaces—where offices feel warmer, more inviting, and thoughtfully curated. “It’s amazing to see companies investing in design that supports employees—not just in productivity but in overall well-being and mental health.”
Shaping the Future, Together
This International Women’s Day is the perfect time to reflect on the pioneers who paved the way, and the incredible women designing the future—bringing creativity, comfort and innovation into the places where we spend our days and do our best work.
Here’s to the next generation of women who will push boundaries, challenge conventions, and shape spaces that inspire and empower us all.
At RI Workplace, we’re not just designing offices—we’re reimagining spaces that truly support people, helping them connect, collaborate, and thrive. Can we help you with a project today?
