DLR Group‘s Jeremy Reding paves the way forward by reflecting on the past five years of workplace disruption and evolution.
Five years after one of the greatest workplace disruptions in history, the office is still evolving. In 2025, many companies are calling employees back in greater numbers, yet for some, the draw isn’t quite there. The challenge isn’t just about policy, it’s about purpose. Employees are looking for more than a desk and a meeting room; they want workplaces that help them do their best work, feel connected and align with how they work.
The way forward is thoughtful, intentional design. The past five years have revealed what doesn’t work—workplaces that prioritize trends over function, policies that don’t reflect culture, and offices that feel more like obligations than destinations. But they’ve also shown what’s possible: workplaces that balance structure with choice, collaboration with quiet, and energy with focus. By shifting focus from requiring presence to creating a compelling experience, organizations can build offices that inspire connection, creativity and a renewed sense of belonging.
Designing with Purpose
Workplace culture is shifting, driven by generational changes in leadership and evolving hybrid policies. Millennials and Gen Z are stepping into management roles, bringing a new approach—one that values autonomy, transparency, and flexibility over rigid hierarchies. Unlike previous generations, they prioritize collaborative decision-making, feedback-driven cultures and workplaces that reflect company values rather than just operational needs.
Hybrid policies provide structure, but purpose-driven design builds culture.
The best workplaces don’t just define when employees come in. They define why. They’re creating spaces that support different work modalities, from deep-focus zones to collaboration hubs and social areas that encourage mentorship and informal connection. Tech-enabled meeting spaces ensure hybrid equity, while adaptable layouts help teams navigate both structured and unstructured schedules seamlessly.
This integration of policy, culture, and design is what separates workplaces that feel like obligations from those that feel like destinations. Companies that invest in purpose-driven design—where space reflects culture and supports the way people actually work— will build workplaces that energize employees, turning presence into a privilege rather than an expectation.
Amenity Evolution
The role of the office is changing, and with it, the expectations for what a workplace should offer. No longer just a place for assigned desks and conference rooms, today’s office environments are incorporating curated amenity spaces that elevate the employee experience, encourage connection, and provide moments of respite throughout the workday. From hospitality-driven lounges to multi-use social hubs, these spaces are becoming an essential part of how companies and developers attract and retain employees and tenants, respectively.
Modern workplace amenities are designed with intention—offering flexible environments that balance productivity, wellbeing, and social connection, making the office a destination of choice. Lobby lounges, wellness-focused retreats and dynamic collaboration zones give employees options to engage with colleagues, take a break or work in a more casual, inviting atmosphere.
At City Center in Denver, for example, a newly designed lounge within the lobby offers multiple seating configurations, a central fireplace, and warm, layered lighting—creating a setting that supports both focused work and informal gatherings. These carefully crafted spaces not only enhance tenant experience but also reflect the evolving demands of today’s workforce and the growing need for human connection in a highly digital world.
The modern office must be more than a container for work—it should provide a compelling reason to be there. By prioritizing high-quality, adaptable amenity spaces, employers—and developers—can encourage engagement, promote a culture of connection and create an experience that provides value beyond a desk with square footage.
Neuro-Inclusive Design
With an estimated 15-20% of the world’s population exhibiting some form of neurodivergence, cognitive diversity is a crucial aspect of workplace inclusion. Prioritizing neuro-inclusive design improves wellbeing, boosts innovation, and strengthens retention. In fact, a recent Deloitte study shows that companies with inclusive cultures are six times more innovative and twice as likely to exceed financial targets.
Flexibility is key in designing inclusively.
It was discovered in a 2024 Gallup survey that up to 64% of employees would be “extremely likely” to seek other employment if denied accommodation or remote flexibility. While the formula for great office design is not one-size-fits-all, we suggest allocating a significant portion of office space—typically 30-60%, depending on workplace culture and demographics—to adaptable environments that accommodate different work styles, from focus-driven quiet zones to collaborative social hubs.
Sensory rooms provide stress relief, quiet zones enhance focus, and wellness spaces encourage rest. Collaboration areas with flexible seating and lighting help social engagement, while customizable workstations with biophilic elements improve comfort and concentration. Balancing structure with choice allows employees to work in ways that maximize productivity and wellbeing.
Inclusive design isn’t an amenity, it’s a competitive advantage. Companies that prioritize equity, flexibility, and accessibility create workplaces where employees thrive, innovate and stay. Now is the time to rethink office design—not just to meet today’s needs but to create a workplace that works for everyone.
Looking Ahead
The past five years have revealed the gaps—misaligned policies, superficial perks and flexibility that falls short. But we’ve also seen the potential: offices that energize employees, inspiring connection, collaboration and purpose. Now is the time to move forward with intention.
Purpose-driven design must go beyond aesthetics to create workplaces that serve people first—offices that adapt to diverse workstyles, integrate equity and accessibility and encourage the kind of human interaction that remote work alone cannot replicate. By aligning policy, culture, and space, we can build workplaces that make showing up feel like an opportunity, not a requirement.
The future of work is not about mandates. It’s about meaning. The offices that thrive will be the ones that offer experiences employees seek, where design fuels productivity, belonging, and innovation. It’s time to stop asking how to bring employees back and start asking: How can we make the workplace a destination worth choosing?
All images courtesy of DLR Group.
