8 Trends Shaping the Future of Workplace Design

Since 2020, the landscape of work has changed, with Covid-19 accelerating significant shifts in working practices, attitudes and behaviours. Today, employers and employees are adjusting to the new demands of work and the role of the physical workplace. There is more room for debate about how and where we work which has major implications for the future of workplace design.

According to research by tech consulting firm Gartner, 65% of employees say the pandemic has made them rethink the place work should occupy in their lives, while 52% say it has made them question the purpose of their day-to-day jobs. And Accenture has revealed that 83% of the global workforce has identified the hybrid model as the ideal workplace scenario.

As employees reassess their relationship with work, new demands and trends are reshaping perceptions about the office and our ways of working. The expectation is that the office will remain a key feature of working life – in fact, appetite for office space remains strong, with real estate company Savills identifying “high levels of underlying demand” in London in early 2023. But the ongoing evolution of the office raises many questions about its future structure, shape and function. Businesses continue to adapt their offices in response to the shift in working patterns and preferences. Here are eight key trends shaping current workplace design.

This shift in approach provides increased potential for productive and collaborative interaction between employees, with different conversations arising from different seating and working arrangements. It also means that, by carefully managing on-site schedules, businesses can reduce shared working areas and desk space. And it’s a move many companies are beginning to embrace.

According to research conducted by real estate agents Knight Frank, over half of business leaders surveyed said they anticipate extending their hot-desking and desk-sharing regimes going forward.

Contactless tech is on the rise, too, with enduring concerns about viral transmission in crowded places. Enabling employees to activate lifts, turn on lights, exit lobbies and operate appliances without touching a single button or surface, contactless tech is designed to reduce shared touchpoints and restrict infection potential. It is therefore key for businesses looking to promote safe working environments and encourage employees back into the office.

Automation and artificial intelligence are also enhancing office experiences and output, while the 5G rollout is beginning to accelerate workplace connectivity. And for those businesses pivoting to flexible work, capacity control systems such as Condeco are proving essential for workspace scheduling, remote booking and resource management.

Neurodivergent employees have different workplace needs from their ‘neurotypical’ colleagues. ‘Designing for neurodiversity’ is therefore a key component of workplace inclusion programmes. To cater for neurodivergent staff, progressive businesses are incorporating a broad spectrum of requirements into their workspace designs.

Patterns are forming around client demand for quiet rooms and dedicated concentration rooms to assist with focus and reflection. These spaces are typically low-tech and minimise distraction, so they’re away from main circulation areas. These types of spaces are becoming more of a requirement as employers recognised the need for supporting different personalities and neurodivergent needs in the office.

But whether this model will continue to dominate the future of work remains uncertain. Humans are social creatures, and the social isolation that accompanies remote working can take its toll. A 2021 survey conducted by Indeed found that 73% of remote workers missed socialising in person and 46% missed work-related conversations. Numerous other reports have testified to the negative social aspects of homeworking and associated mental health impacts.

What’s more, lack of visibility and human contact can affect career development. In-person relationships are key to progression, enabling employees to build understanding, dialogue and trust with their colleagues and bosses. And while companies will not consciously penalise employees who work from home, they are more likely to recognise and reward those they can see, up close and personal, in the physical work environment.

In this way, the office still has a vital role to play, facilitating the human interactions that sustain corporate culture. Indeed, communication and collaboration are essential to the success of any business; and the physical office is key to promoting these components of corporate life. Reassuringly, demand for office space remains strong, with analysis from Savills showing that in 2023 square footage requirements in Central London are already “10% ahead of the 10-year long-term average”.

In addition to the contactless tech innovations mentioned earlier, office designs will increasingly focus on minimising density and overcrowding. Rethinking shared and personal space will be critical, with businesses looking to create intuitive spaces that promote both safety and productivity.

Expect to see an increase in biophilic design and natural lighting, both of which are proven to alleviate stress and promote a sense of calm. Moss walls, trees and plants will proliferate, while access to roof gardens or landscaped areas will become imperative. Similarly, social areas, sanctuary spaces and chillout zones will become staple features of the office, while employers looking to go the extra mile will lay on wellness classes, meditation, yoga and a range of healthy dining options.

An increase in iconic ‘destination offices’ is expected in the coming years, as more companies realise the importance of place in retaining an engaged on-site workforce. Dynamic brand-led placemaking and design can create compelling workplace environments (see, for example, Google’s ‘landscaper’ in Kings Cross and Apple’s campus at Battersea Power Station). And for younger employees in particular, workplace design will need to reaffirm and reflect core values to ensure they feel connected and inspired.

As part of this shift, companies will need to provide informal breakout spaces, overflow spaces and lounge areas to accommodate brainstorming sessions, seminars and social events. Courtyards and kitchen areas will become essential locations for meaningful in-person contact. And generally, businesses will need to ensure their workplace provides a welcoming environment in which people feel empowered to convene and co-create.

Office design will play a key role in delivering and expressing these commitments – helping to reduce workplace impact on the environment and to attract ecologically minded employees. Social and environmental responsibility will certainly be non-negotiable for tomorrow’s workforce. They, therefore, need to be core guiding principles for any genuinely progressive office design scheme.

For more information about the future of workplace design, get in touch with one of our workplace advisors to discuss your office.

Want updates on similar new content? We’ll send you an email a month with new insights when you join our mailing list.

JOIN THE LIST