Buildings are by far the most permanent part of the workplace, and even in our most futuristic moments we cannot see them go away. With an average lifespan of about 80 years, many buildings outlive the occupants they serve, so flexibility and adaptability become driving forces.
While new buildings will showcase cutting-edge technological and architectural innovations, existing buildings will continue to make up the majority of the built landscape long into the future. Most new construction will likely be focused on emerging markets, retrofits and urban infill.
Development will be positioned for
convenience and accessibility, and the
live/work model will become more widespread
in both new construction and renovations.
Development will be positioned for convenience and accessibility, and the live/work model will become more widespread in both new construction and renovations.
In an effort to save money and reduce reliance on overburdened public utilities, buildings and tenants will need to generate less waste, consume less outside energy and generate more energy onsite. This shift in utility infrastructure will place added responsibility on property owners to create and maintain onsite infrastructure elements, including water filtration, energy capture and waste disposal. Ideally, buildings will generate more energy than they use.
As tenant requirements get more elaborate and rents fail to keep pace with the cost of amenities, owners and investors will target new revenue streams to generate income, like offering concierge services and unique perks at a premium cost.
Lease structures will change
to accommodate greater
flexibility, including
multiple-tenanted spaces,
easily adjusted demising and
shared utilities.
Development will be positioned for convenience and accessibility, and the live/work model will become more widespread in both new construction and renovations. Ownership will seek to maximize the value of built assets, and multi-tenant, multi-use buildings will replace owner-occupied buildings to promote flexibility and ease of modification.
Responsive, smart buildings already utilize data and tech to shape the way we work and the spaces in which we do it. In the future, these app-based control systems will become mainstream solutions, no longer confined to large-scale buildings, campuses and multinational organizations.
Traveling within ultra-high-rise buildings means going up, down and sideways. Elevators will look to high-speed train travel innovations, such as magnetic levitation and pneumatic tube transportation, for inspiration and speed.
Parking and loading docks
as we know them will disappear.
Sky ports and drone docks
will take their place.
Climate change and rising sea levels will strongly influence population distribution and building development. Underwater and floating buildings will make their debut and more buildings will be carbon neutral or even energy positive.
