What Makes a Great Workplace in the Modern World?

The world of work has changed. But too many workplaces haven’t. Perhaps you’ve seen them—cavernous ghost offices with row after row of empty desks. Or the opposite: employees unsure of whether they'll find a workstation on arrival. Then there are the ones that just feel forgotten: glossy white, uninspiring and built for a world that no longer exists. That’s a problem. Because in the modern corporate world, your workplace isn’t just real estate. It’s a leadership statement. It’s your cultural home. And it plays a huge role in how you attract, energise, and retain your best people.

A new generation expects more

Today’s workforce has higher expectations. They want office space that inspires. That reflects their values. That fits their lifestyle—and their personal brand. And they have options. Remote work opened the door and hybrid working made it mainstream. Now, if the office doesn’t offer something better than the kitchen table, many simply don't show up. But that's an opportunity. According to Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace 2024 report, 51% of employees now work in a hybrid model. They value autonomy—but they also value connection. That’s where smart workplace design comes in.

"Design it well, and your office becomes a magnet—not a mandate.”

Why presence still matters

There are things you just can’t do on Zoom. Building team culture. Transferring knowledge. Creating the kind of serendipitous moments that only happen when smart people share a space. In-office presence matters. Not necessarily five days a week—but enough to build a shared sense of direction. And when people do come in, they want it to feel worthwhile. That means design matters more than ever. Your office is a live brand touch-point. Every visitor, new hire, and investor forms a judgement the second they step inside. A tired, outdated office doesn’t just frustrate employees—it quietly erodes confidence.

The end of “one desk, one person”

The old model of personally allocated workstations is fading fast. Desk sharing, clean desk policies, and task-based working are the new norm. Why? Because different tasks need different settings. What suits focused solo work isn’t right for strategic collaboration. Smart companies design for both—and let people choose the space that supports their work that day. It’s more flexible. More efficient. And when done right, it saves space and boosts productivity. It also helps with onboarding and engagement—because when the workplace supports different ways of working, people feel seen and supported from day one.

“Inspiration, connection, focus—the modern office needs all three.”

The real cost of your workplace.

Unused space is expensive. Not just in rent, but in environmental cost too. According to MIT’s Real Estate Innovation Lab, each unused workstation in a corporate office is responsible for around 0.75 metric tons of CO₂ per year — the result of the energy and materials required to build, heat, cool, and maintain that space. Multiply that across tens or hundreds of empty desks, and the impact is staggering. Right-sizing your office isn’t just a financial decision — it’s a meaningful step toward meeting sustainability goals. And right-sizing your space doesn’t mean compromising. It means choosing quality over quantity. It means designing spaces people want to be in, and shrinking your footprint in the process. Many companies we work with have saved 20–30% on occupancy costs while moving to better located, more human-centric workplace.

A defining opportunity for visionary leaders.

Whether you’re steering a company through change, repositioning your brand, or simply making your mark during your tenure, reshaping the office can deliver real, visible impact. The right workplace strategy can shift culture, accelerate performance, and leave behind a meaningful legacy. We’ve seen many leaders use office change as a catalyst — turning tired outposts into central, high-performing hubs that re-energise teams and reshape company identity. Done well, it’s one of the boldest moves a CEO or Country Manager can make.

“Smaller, smarter, and more intentional. That’s the future of workplace design.”

So, what’s the right office for you?

There’s no one-size-fits-all. The right solution depends on your people, your work culture, your goals—and how you want to show up in the world. That’s where we come in. We’ve helped global businesses rethink their offices from the inside out. From analysis and surveys to full design and delivery, we work with you to define what your future workplace could be—and how to make it happen. We believe workplace strategy is business strategy. And the best offices are the ones that reflect that.

The smart office is smaller, sharper, and built for today.

Getting your office right is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a core part of your talent strategy, your sustainability goals, and your employees' experience. Done well, it can boost morale, strengthen culture, and help you compete for the brightest minds. And if it’s not working? It’s not just a space problem. It’s a business problem.

Your next step.

How future-ready is your office? Find out in two minutes. Take our Workplace Assessment to get your Workplace Score and find out how your office stacks up. No prep needed. No jargon. Just 9 simple questions.  At the end, you’ll receive a personalised score and summary, plus practical suggestions based on where you are now.

Take the Workplace Assessment