Writer: Max Crampton-Thomas
2 min read September 2023 — As preferences and needs change for what businesses and individuals look for in commercial development, the design of these projects has continued to adapt as well. With Forbes reporting that currently 66% of workers desire to work remotely all the time and 32% prefer a hybrid schedule, the need for thoughtful design to attract people back into the office has become a significant priority for companies. This, combined with the sustained inflation and supply chain challenges, has created an environment in which design professionals must adapt and innovate.
From the continued demand for hybrid work modalities to incorporating more of a hospitality aspect into commercial developments, architects and engineers are turning their attention to designing for the future. Invest: spoke with some of these leaders about this evolution and meeting current demands.
Chad Anderson, Managing Principal, HDR
What are some interior design features and amenities that clients are demanding right now?
“There is definitely a demand for more of a hospitality feel to all of the spaces we design, whether it’s healthcare, civic, or education. Even the data centers that we design have office spaces with a high-end, contemporary feel. More and more, people appreciate nice spaces, so I think hospitality-level finishes will remain in high demand. People have developed a taste for these features, and clients know they need to remain competitive, so I don’t see a reduction in quality interior design.”
Matt Leyman, Regional Director – Dallas, The Beck Group
How has demand for The Beck Group’s services evolved over the past year?
“The Beck Group is unique because we’re an architecture and construction firm – in one. We can provide an individual service, but clients and owners get the best value when we provide integrated design-build services. One reason clients choose design-build with us is that design-build offers more certainty in an industry strife with risk, and the supply chain challenges the industry has faced over the last few years are just one example.
In the last five years, we’ve seen more developers choose our design-build services than ever. Often, developers must do more with less, which makes our service model a great fit for their needs. We’ve also seen public organizations, like those in the aviation and higher education spaces, actively request design-build in RFPs. DFW Airport and Texas A&M are two examples in North Texas that have pursued design-build as a delivery method for their projects.”
Dan Noble, President & CEO, HKS
What are some common amenities clients are looking for in their offices?
“People get their job done while working remotely but what you are missing is culture and that connection to what you are doing that promotes engagement. Culture, camaraderie, creativity and collaboration are all stronger when you are in the office so the space responds to that with fewer cubicles and more open spaces. There are places to meet with teams and clients as well. The overall footprint will shrink a bit but it won’t be a one-to-one reduction; it will just be space that is reallocated to more collaborative and social engagement spaces. Work is not just sticking a cog in a space to get things done, it’s looking at the environment holistically and not only how someone can bring out their best self but also how others and the environment can best enhance that best self.”
Tom Reisenbichler, Principal & Managing Director, Perkins&Will
What is the significance of ‘living design’?
“Living Design provides an actionable, integrated approach to designing for increasingly higher levels of complexity as required by our clients and society, in ways that are sustainable, resilient, regenerative, inclusive and focused on well-being. We employ design strategies focused on Living Design. We bring that philosophy to every project and present it to our clients to engage them in the process. The Living Design approach is unique to us. Perkins&Will has always been a leader in environmental design and Living Design is the next generation of architecture.”
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