Workplace Trends

The pandemic was a historic moment that accelerated remote work and virtual collaboration and upended societal expectations and values. As we emerge from it, both employers and workers see work and the workplace differently than we did before. New goals and desires are surfacing.

When we can be anywhere and do anything at any time, what do we really want? As we gain greater confidence and emerge from the wake of the pandemic, we are finding a new sense of freedom.

Looking for purpose The reset has left many longing to connect to a greater purpose and align career and values with company mission.

Flying the flag Despite the fact that office footprints are shrinking, they increasingly serve as the flagship of company mission, culture, and experience.

Ameni-”T” Workers want rich experiences and environments. Places that blend the hospitality of the home and other worldliness of travel with the buzz of the office are where organizations will be wise to focus their investments; Spaces that support non-work encounters and experiences that make employees feel connected and whole will be a significant part of the workplace.

New Freedom

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Our workplace experts see two forces reshaping the workplace in 2023—employees are looking for the new freedom to work almost anywhere, and employers are harnessing the power of data to inform decisions on space and technology in an instant feedback loop. Explore these two trends.

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If workers will never go back to how they worked before, then what do they want? And how should the workplace evolve?

Amenities are becoming expectations...buildings need to scream, "Look at me, work here!' We have to craft an experience first, and then the design enrichens it. That’s how we turn up a building's volume. Chris Keller Title Here

Being chained to a desk is an archaic notion when you can crack open your laptop surfside, but people want to connect in meaningful ways beyond the monitor.

Colleen Arria Principal

Amenities are becoming expectations ... buildings need to scream, "Look at me, work here!" We have to craft an experience first, and then the design enrichens it. That’s how we turn up a building's volume.

Christopher Keller Principal, Interiors Design Leader

Project Name, Location Short description (<15 words)

A re-established office with hints of home demonstrates the client’s commitment to creating an environment for employees to thrive.

The Twitter Boulder office embraces brand identity throughout the space and includes moments of local neighborhood inspiration, like the use of industrial materials and floor signage to symbolize the nearby railyards. The design supports a new cultural mind-set favoring collaboration and socialization.

War for talent Organizational identity and mission are more important than ever. Organizations are struggling to create a culture around hybrid work. Environments need to embody the ideals, goals, and connections to big ideas.

Walgreens Chicago Office Chicago, Illinois Our design for workspace, retail, and training in the historic Old Chicago Post Office takes inspiration from Chicago itself.

Sherman & Howard Denver, Colorado Inspired by client hospitality, this new workplace embraces and promotes a cultural shift to a new hybrid work model.

Knotel San Francisco, California Workplace that provides a turnkey office without the hassle of long-term leases, procurement, and construction.

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The lighting system throughout this collaborative office space features a dynamic tunable color temperature technology which is pre-programmed to mimic the temperature of daylight throughout the course of the day.

Intelligent and seamless New workflows are constantly evolving at the personal and group levels. Tracking space and technology use will inform the next generation of intentional and high-performing environments. Tech, tools, and space must be a seamless user experience.

Combining engineering solutions with smart building technology will allow even greater flexibility and comfort for all users.

Katie Formoso Principal, Workplace & Office Repositioning Market Leader

A smart building is a healthy building: efficiencies in resource consumption are achieved through mindful design, system integration and data collection and analysis.

Evolutionary Workspaces that self-report on their performance and efficiency will enable organizations to adapt their environments to evolving workstyles.

Riding a wave We’re in a fluid and changing time. Our advice to organizations? Be as authentic and transparent as possible. Embrace the uncomfortable evolution. Change that looks scary could be an exciting breakthrough.

Angie Lee Vice President, Buildings

It’s not just about reducing footprints with hybrid working, it’s about crafting the workplace in a way that supports clients as their businesses and workforces evolve digitally.

Walgreens Chicago Office Chicago, Illinois The workplace design within this historic building creates space that calls on the surrounding neighborhood, creating a communal gathering place for the entire office.

One size doesn't fit all Spaces and tools that embrace the multidimensional person (their identities, values, and workstyles) will strengthen the team. The workplace that successfully balances culture and function sets up individuals and teams to flourish.

Technology and culture shape design—and vice versa. We’re in the early days of smart, sensor-enabled offices which can track and report their performance enabling continuous recalibration. Technology and culture must meet the whole person where they work. 

Our workplace experts see two forces reshaping the future workplace—employees are looking for the new freedom to work almost anywhere, and employers are harnessing the power of data to inform decisions on space and technology in an instant feedback loop.

Explore the trends.

Switch to the Instant Feedback Loop

Knitting together both old and new, the open atrium and outdoor courtyard draw tenants in with living-room like terrace lounge spaces.

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New Freedom

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Southline Boston, Massachusetts We designed the adaptive reuse of the former Boston Globe headquarters to foster social connection, collaboration, and cross-pollinating of ideas.

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The Tennyson Plano, Texas A ground-floor renovation connects the lobby to a tenant lounge and additional gather spaces outside for a seamless experience at this refreshed office complex.

Microsoft Azure East Reston, Virginia A human-centered work environment encourages employees to come in and participate.

Upside Foods Engineering, Production and Innovation Center Emeryville, California Bringing the research into the workplace allows for employees at Upside Foods to truly live the brand and appreciate the mission.

Confidential Technology Client, Regional Office Madison, Wisconsin

Capital Center Indianapolis, Illinois

BPX Energy Denver, Colorado

Finding freedom and balance in the new office.

Workplace Next

If workers will never go back to how they worked before, then what do they want? And how should the workplace evolve?

When we can be anywhere and do anything at any time, what do we really want? As we gain greater confidence and emerge from the wake of the pandemic, we are finding a new sense of freedom. If workers will never go back to how they worked before, then what do they want? And how should the workplace evolve?

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