If we could gaze into a crystal ball, what will our future workplaces look like? Will we see metaverse avatars working side by side with human employees? Or greener spaces promoting hybrid, holistic and more energy-based activities? When the jobs of tomorrow don’t exist yet, how can we plan and design for them for the next generation – when Millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha will dominate the workforce?
What we do know is that today’s workplaces are the realisation of yesterday’s desires – and to understand where we’re headed, it’s helpful to look back at where we were to see how what’s come to pass may impact our reality tomorrow.
2018 – Agility and flexibility
In 2018, our focus was to design workplaces that adapted to different working styles and needs. Workplaces were expansive and activity-based to support different types of interaction and collaboration, with diverse spaces populated with greenery and ergonomic furniture – reflecting the growing consideration for wellbeing and employee health. Campus designs across large floorplates operated as destinations for social interaction with cafes, bars and food enticements.
The technology we enjoy today was in its infancy back then, such as BYOD (bring your own device) and paperless initiatives, while other elements were already popular, such as smaller focus rooms and creative brainstorming spaces with whiteboards, kanbans and collaborative reception areas.
There was some resistance though – the idea of remote working was still novel, and there were negative associations around hotdesking, desk sharing, the lack of storage space and not owning a specific space. However, the seeds of change were being planted.
2024 – Sustainability and inclusion
In 2024, significant culture changes in leadership and management reflect a significant shift away from big, communal workplaces towards considering individual needs, lifestyles and comfort levels. Workplaces are now less expansive and rationalised to cater for a reduced workforce in the office, with less desk-per-person ratios, more focus rooms, and hybrid models for greater autonomy and flexibility, including the increased use of AI and automation.
Diversity, inclusion, and equality have a sharpened focus while sustainability is a fundamental expectation, along with a stronger appreciation for First Nations and Indigenous peoples, Country and Place.
Workplaces are more comfortable with casual dress codes and calming interiors, supported by a sensory and energy-based design approach that can be dialled up or down depending on an individual’s sensory levels on any given day. A continued rise of wellbeing, holistic workplace strategy and the integration of social spaces would serve the market well throughout the Covid disruption.
2030 – Metaverse and social responsibility
By 2030, Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) and Gen Z (Zoomers born between 1997 – 2010) will be the two largest adult consumer groups in the country, and their influence will be significant. In design, we see an evolving landscape of the workplace with advancements in technology and a greater focus on mental and physical wellbeing that aligns with their strong values and expectations. This cohort will choose jobs aligned with their values, and working for a cause over shareholder profit.
Technology will continue to evolve with AI to help with productivity and creative tasks, such as virtual assistants, AI-driven collaboration tools and wearable tech, to monitor health and wellbeing. The biggest shift will be the rise of the metaverse, where employees could be represented by avatars, and apply for jobs, engage, socialise and have meetings in virtual worlds and digital spaces side-by-side with human employees. Even further ahead, the workplace will need to cater for Gen Alphas set to hit the workforce for vocational education STEM and STEAM jobs that don’t exist yet.
Many workers will seek a ‘digital detox’ and choose more real-world experiences to counter the digital overload. This could see the emergence of workplace designs that facilitate closeness with loved ones, catering for multi-generational families with inclusive, village-like environments that allow kids to play, do homework and hang out alongside their parents or grandparents. Plus, more comfort-based spaces with discrete areas promoting walking meetings, stretching, cycling or push-up bars.
However, back in the real world, we believe that genuine human connection will remain as important as ever.
With offices requiring less floor space to operate, more budget can go towards enhancing sensory and physical comfort. The space that is no longer being used for offices will become prime real estate for a multitude of mixed-use opportunities, including (but not limited to) entertainment, food & beverage, residential, and health and wellbeing. With less reliance on being present in offices, these different applications offer alternative ways to bring people into the cities to keep these spaces activated and thriving.
With 1.1 million people changing jobs in the year ending February 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the job market is dynamic. This will continue to impact the way the workplace of the future is designed, and as designers, we must adapt too.
But what won’t change is the continual opportunity to create spaces that champion meaningful responses that foster authenticity, inclusivity and innovation – the definitions of design excellence.
