“I think one of the things that’s becoming apparent through 2023 is the blurred lines between the different sectors and the evolution of workplace,” says Crawford, an Associate Principal.

“Clients are more open to experimenting with opportunities to get staff back into the workplace.

“They want to create a journey that is more informed by providing destination spaces, flexible workspace and activated amenity to respond to the evolution and enhance perceptions of the ‘Office’.”

The fast-growing wellness industry is also playing a role.

“People are really starting to consider wellness and wellbeing, and there is a greater focus and need on incorporating sustainability into the modern workplace, and how they can be integrated in a meaningful way,” he says.

Simple ways of doing this include recycling existing furniture, sourcing vintage pieces, or using modular chairs and desks that can easily be re-deployed, saving money and waste while adding character.

“We’ve started to bring pre-used and vintage furniture into a commercial setting. That’s an area that needs to be considered and we’re seeing a lot of residential practices utilising vintage pieces and celebrate their vintage history and patina,” he says.

“What interests me is how we can integrate that on a larger scale and really start thinking about waste from previous fit-outs and how we can reuse and repurpose them and give them new life. That’s also something that gives originality to a space.”

He says choosing local suppliers and furniture designers over international alternatives is on the rise, cutting down on greenhouse emissions caused by international importation while providing greater supply chain certainty.

“It’s also an opportunity to elevate Australian designers, artists and manufacturers.

Meanwhile, vast austere lobbies are becoming a workplace relic, just as they have receded in modern hotels, removing barriers and making offices more approachable.

“Reception spaces have evolved and become more aligned to modern hotels. Some hotels you walk in and there’s a series of different seating zones, roaming reception, different concierge points and this has really started to translate to workplace design.”

The formality of a lot of these commercial spaces is breaking down.

“It’s up to the business, whether they want to open the engine room and have that transparency. Or is it a destination for the staff and clients and you start to bring in those hospitality aspects into the reception space, which we’re increasingly seeing.”

He says adaptability is another major consideration.

“A lot more spaces are adaptable for client entertainment, staff entertainment and town halls,” says Crawford.

“That’s something we’re really borrowing from our hotel experience and what we’ve learned from conference centres, and corporate events.”

Meanwhile, commercial leasing activity is in flux – very few large deals are being done in Australia’s CBDs – and when companies do commit it’s typically for less space.

“There’s certainly a bit of nervousness about taking acres of space and it being empty and underutilised if businesses are struggling to get people back into the office,” he says.

“On the flipside there is a desire to create these adaptable spaces that can flex and change – utilising spaces for one function that could easily change to another is appealing.”

Crawford has joined Woods Bagot from Bates Smart, where he worked across interior workplace, residential and hospitality design, and leads the Sydney Workplace Interiors team.

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Martin Kelly
Content and Communications Leader (Australia & New Zealand)