As work patterns change and we continue to see a trend in creating sustainable environments, designers are struggling to create relevant office spaces. It is not enough to have an office building for employees to work out of. Instead, many buildings offer an area that the community can benefit from—for example, creating a bottom floor with a cafe accessible to the public, not just the employees.

Sustainability and decarbonization should continue to be top priorities for many companies. One way that has been implemented is through adaptable buildings. This means that while the original goal for a building may have been for office spaces, but later down the road it is purchased for residential use. Creating adaptable buildings makes it easier to transition the building quickly without major carbon impacts.

Another trend that we’ve seen is flight to experience. This idea is built around employees going to the office for work and connecting with the community. Locality is an essential part of this idea because people want things to be easily accessible, especially when companies are asking their employees to come into the office. Having an office close to dining, groceries, and even entertainment helps make the office a bit more enticing.

Commuting will always be a hot topic of conversation, and it could be a struggle for some. However, if companies focus on the office amenities and locality, it can make working in the office more appealing.