Three design innovations transforming modern offices
The way we work has fundamentally changed, and office design is evolving to keep pace. As hybrid work becomes the norm and companies prioritize employee wellbeing and sustainability, businesses are reimagining their workspaces. At JLL offices worldwide, we are embracing three key design trends that are reshaping the modern office.
1. Human-Centered Design: Reshaping Workplaces Around People
This approach emphasizes creating spaces that support both collaboration and focused work while seamlessly integrating technology into the employee experience.
JLL San Diego is putting this philosophy into action while planning its new office. The team is creating a space that welcomes employees and helps build a strong, connected culture. The design prioritizes employees’ needs: more collaborative spaces, a larger kitchen, and additional small conference rooms.
This shift addresses a key insight from JLL’s workplace research: while there is a need for collaborative spaces in an office, employees cite the lack of sound privacy and access to focused workspaces as primary reasons for lower satisfaction rates.
2. Sustainable Practices: Essential for Net Zero Goals
Environmental responsibility has moved from nice-to-have to business necessity. Companies are incorporating sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact while creating healthier workspaces.
When JLL Walnut Creek needed to relocate last year, sustainable practices guided every decision. The project diverted more than 70% of construction waste from landfills and achieved a 25% reduction in indoor water use.
The team selected materials with third-party environmental certifications, ensuring low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The design maximized natural light and provided employees with views of greenery and access to a landscaped courtyard, enhancing mental health and reducing stress.
These efforts earned LEED Gold certification, demonstrating that while green solutions may require upfront investment, they deliver long-term returns through energy savings and enhanced employee wellbeing.
3. Technology Integration: Supporting Hybrid Reality
Creating hybrid-friendly offices requires better technology and higher fit-out quality to increase employee engagement. Organizations are investing more in multifunctional rooms and virtual meeting technology to support their hybrid models.
In JLL’s Downtown Los Angeles office, all spaces are equipped with the latest technology to ensure efficiency. The space was designed so employees can plug into any workstation, conference room, or open seating area seamlessly.
The office features versatile spaces with options ranging from private offices to open concepts and flexible meeting rooms. The reception area opens completely for large events. This technological infrastructure gives employees a choice in how they want to work.
Looking Ahead
These three trends: human-centered design, sustainability, and technology integration are reshaping how we think about office spaces. As companies adapt to hybrid work patterns and prioritize employee wellbeing alongside environmental responsibility, successful office design will be measured not just by aesthetics, but by its ability to support productivity, collaboration, and corporate values.
The future office isn’t just a place to work; it’s a strategic tool for attracting talent, fostering culture, and building sustainable business practices for the long term.
About JLL JLL is a global commercial real estate company with a local footprint. We hold a rank of #193 by Fortune 500 and have been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere 18 years in a row. With over 1,300 lease transactions totaling 18.1 million square feet and $5 billion in sales under our belt since 2022 – our trusted advisors have the local market knowledge and insight you need to address changing business demands, challenges, and risks. Learn more here.
