The workplace has undergone one of the most disruptive shifts in recent history, and its evolution is likely to continue. What key trends will shape 2022? Knight Frank predicts these five factors will be prevalent in the year ahead.
The flight to quality will prevail
Businesses have been pursuing higher-quality spaces for a few years now and this trend shows no sign of slowing down. This will be driven by a few factors including attracting employees back to the office; workforce recruitment and retention; and sustainability credentials. Employees want to work in environments that enrich their days, and as employers compete with working-from-home settings, the office experience needs to be worth the commute. Think ergonomic furniture, high-end designs and amenity-rich spaces. These will range from wellness facilities such as gyms, social areas, and training and development facilities. Patrick Matheson, partner at Knight Frank, explains: “Location is a big part of the office experience, too. Workers want to be in locations which are well-connected, but also offer a wealth of cafes, shops, restaurants and bars. “In line with the office experience, branding is something that clients are also keen to use the office for. Businesses want to have a space that actually helps them rebuild their brand identity that was lost during remote months.”
Sustainability will grow significantly in importance
ESG has climbed up the corporate agenda – with a significant focus on the environmental aspect.
Patrick says: “In 2022, businesses will become more aware of the ways in which office space can help them achieve their net zero targets. We speak with occupiers every day and the conversion around sustainability is becoming front and centre.We are seeing that it is not just the large corporates that are focusing on sustainability to meet their targets, but the smaller regional businesses are also making this an important criteria in selecting an office, as they understand the importance their staff place on the environment and sustainability.”
Tech will take centre stage We’ve already seen the rise of desk-booking apps to help manage footfall, but this is just the beginning. In a hybrid world where workers are split between the home and the office, having the right video conferencing tools – and enough bookable meeting rooms to manage noise – will be paramount. Tech can enhance the office experience by making our working lives seamless, whether that’s helping us locate co-workers, providing community apps or checking amenity availability. Likewise, sensors will used more in offices. On a basic level, this is automatic lights that switch off to save energy when no movement is detected, or personal temperature controls that allow employees to alter their desk environments. But on a larger scale, for office space strategies, data is at the heart of all good decision making – tech can give you an informed, analytical approach.
Health and wellbeing will be imperative
We’ve watched health climb up the agenda because of the pandemic, but a holistic effort to maintain and support employee wellbeing will prevail in 2022. The cost of burnout is welldocumented, and as workers reframe their idea of ambition, they’re beginning to chase work-lives that support them in new ways.
More businesses will be look at providing wellbeing programmes, and offices will support these. From fresh fruit and spaces that encourage social interactions, right up to corporate spa passes for larger companies. A big part of wellbeing is our connection to community, and with some businesses only sourcing office space for 50% capacity, company-wide meet ups will become a lot more important. Patrick says: “A lot of SMEs want the ability to host monthly meet-ups for all employees. In doing so, they’ll ensure everyone feels connected, seen, and supported. That’s why access to event space is a growing priority.” Agile environments will overtake rows of desks
There’s been a shift in the general working layout of offices, and this is only set to continue. “We’ve seen businesses move away from rows of desks and individual workstations to a design more focused on communal space, collaboration areas, Zoom rooms, and other non-traditional working layouts,” adds Patrick. In 2022, the role of the office will continue to celebrate the human parts of business – notably, collaboration, which is much harder to maintain in a remote world. Agile working involves having a variety of work settings from which employees have the freedom and flexibility to choose from, depending on which is most appropriate for what they need to achieve.
Again, as employers compete with WFH environments, providing employees with a range of spaces – some of which even replicate the quiet comfort of working from home – will be key.