Gensler advises strategic approach to office amenities
What happened
A new blog post from Gensler argues for a more strategic approach to office amenities that moves beyond trends. The firm suggests that the most effective amenities are those that support core work functions, foster community, and align with a company's specific culture and goals. This people-centric approach aims to create more meaningful and productive workplace environments.
Why it matters
- Gensler's research specifies that the most effective amenities are those focused on work, such as innovation hubs, quiet zones, and focus rooms, which yield higher effectiveness and experience scores than non-work-focused spaces like lounges. - There is a documented "flight to quality" in commercial real estate, where companies are choosing premium Class A buildings despite high vacancy rates in older properties; Gensler's 2024 Global Workplace Survey directly correlates higher building quality with improved workplace performance and employee pride. - The firm utilizes a proprietary tool, the Workplace Performance Index (WPIx), to survey employees and diagnose how design impacts performance, using this data to inform design decisions. - Post-pandemic office design has evolved to support "hyper-focus" and "hyper-collaboration," moving away from one-size-fits-all layouts to provide specialized zones for both deep, individual work and intensive group activities. - According to Gensler's 2025 Global Workplace Survey, employees in high-performing workplaces are almost three times more likely to report that their office positively impacts their work-life balance and nearly three times more likely to stay with their company. - The purpose of the office is shifting to primarily support collaboration, with some of Gensler's Fortune 100 clients transforming their spaces into highly-serviced environments for collective decision-making, based on the assumption that focused work can be done at home. - A key trend is the integration of the office with its neighborhood, as employees in high-quality buildings with access to surrounding retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues use those local amenities more frequently. - Sustainable design elements are now standard expectations; features like biophilic design, natural light, and green building certifications such as LEED are considered essential for modern offices aiming to enhance employee well-being and productivity.
What happens next
- This people-centric approach aims to create more meaningful and productive workplace environments.
Quick answers
What happened in Gensler advises strategic approach to office amenities?
A new blog post from Gensler argues for a more strategic approach to office amenities that moves beyond trends. The firm suggests that the most effective amenities are those that support core work functions, foster community, and align with a company's specific culture and goals. This people-centric approach aims to create more meaningful and productive workplace environments.
Why does Gensler advises strategic approach to office amenities matter?
Gensler's research specifies that the most effective amenities are those focused on work, such as innovation hubs, quiet zones, and focus rooms, which yield higher effectiveness and experience scores than non-work-focused spaces like lounges. There is a documented "flight to quality" in commercial real estate, where companies are choosing premium Class A buildings despite high vacancy rates in older properties; Gensler's 2024 Global Workplace Survey directly correlates higher building quality with improved workplace performance and employee pride. The firm utilizes a proprietary tool, the Workplace Performance Index (WPIx), to survey employees and diagnose how design impacts performance, using this data to inform design decisions. Post-pandemic office design has evolved to support "hyper-focus" and "hyper-collaboration," moving away from one-size-fits-all layouts to provide specialized zones for both deep, individual work and intensive group activities. According to Gensler's 2025 Global Workplace Survey, employees in high-performing workplaces are almost three times more likely to report that their office positively impacts their work-life balance and nearly three times more likely to stay with their company. The purpose of the office is shifting to primarily support collaboration, with some of Gensler's Fortune 100 clients transforming their spaces into highly-serviced environments for collective decision-making, based on the assumption that focused work can be done at home. A key trend is the integration of the office with its neighborhood, as employees in high-quality buildings with access to surrounding retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues use those local amenities more frequently. Sustainable design elements are now standard expectations; features like biophilic design, natural light, and green building certifications such as LEED are considered essential for modern offices aiming to enhance employee well-being and productivity.
