A bare-bones office fit-out won’t cut it in The Imagination Age, where the economy is dominated by Artificial Intelligence, virtual technology, cloud services, and other emerging technologies.

To create a conducive workplace environment that inspires the workforce, there’s an increasing need for sophisticated office equipment and tools, including environmental sensors, broadcast traffic conditions, waste measures, ergonomic “standing” desks, and individual and collective video/Teams conferencing equipment.

This is likely to spark a wave of refits to transform existing offices into offices that better meet individual employees’ needs and preferences. To undergo a successful design transformation, however, understanding employees’ working habits is essential.

Our recent neuroscience study with bioinformatics firm EMOTIV revealed an unprecedented level of detail into employees’ wellbeing and productivity at work. For instance, employees performed better on individual tasks when working around peers and are more engaged in the morning compared to the afternoon.

Having comprehensive insights — powered by technology — will advance the boundaries of office design, especially where decisions are made on types of spaces, be it for creative, collaborative, or contemplative focused tasks for individuals rather than the collective.

Regardless, technologies in different forms will play a significant role in offices in The Imagination Age as companies strive to gain a competitive advantage in the talent war.

Office spaces will adapt to ensure a healthy balance between the individual and collective workplace needs based on tasks that must be achieved. This will be underpinned by flexibility. Employees value work-life balance and appreciate the freedom to decide when to work in the office and which tasks to focus on while there.

For instance, in the office-first model, flexibility can be achieved by allowing employees to choose their preferred start and end times, accommodating their individual preferences.

Companies may also decide against providing on-site amenities since flexible working arrangements will allow employees to use these facilities closer to home. This frees up the office space to be effectively redesigned for different purposes including connection and collaboration.

Understanding how new workplace habits may impact your organisation will determine how you design your offices, and how you shape your workplace and leasing strategy.
 

Are you ready for the future workplace? Speak with a JLL leasing expert to explore the right office for your organisation.