Gensler’s Co-CEO on the Workplace of the Future
By redefining what it means to go to the office, we can make it a place people want to be, rather than need to be, Jordan Goldstein believes.
Offices have come a long way over the past five years, evolving into dynamic, adaptable environments that center around employees’ health, and their need to be both productive and connected to each other. Innovative design strategies that focus on flexibility, sustainability and technology are at the forefront of all these shifts.
“We envision workplaces as vibrant ecosystems that adapt to the changing needs of individuals, teams and organizations,” said Gensler Co-CEO Jordan Goldstein. “These are no longer static spaces but curated destinations that inspire purpose, foster innovation and elevate well-being in the office.”
Well versed in office design, Goldstein describes the workplace of the future in detail, in the interview below.
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What’s shaping workplace design in 2025? Is there a particular trend that you’re excited about?
Goldstein: This year, we see workplace design shifting away from a focus on traditional real estate metrics and instead prioritizing people’s experience in the places where they work. By creating varied and thoughtfully curated spaces, the office can be more than just a place to work—it can be a destination designed to support productivity, foster connection and provide choice.
We’re making this happen by tailoring environments to people’s unique needs, preferences and work styles. Things like daylight, fresh air and access to green spaces are proven to enhance well-being. Also, we’re seeing a greater need for both private and collaborative spaces at work that balance focus areas with more lively and social zones.
We’re in a moment where we can redefine what it means to go to the office, making it a place people want to be rather than need to be. These shifts signal an exciting transition from static office layouts to dynamic, adaptable environments that foster joy and engagement.
How exactly does the workplace of the future look like? What design elements complement it?
Goldstein: The workplace of the future isn’t just where we work—it’s where we connect, create and thrive. It’s a reflection of who we are, how we collaborate and what we value most.
Some key design elements focus on creating a workplace that is both dynamic and flexible while also leaning into advanced technology. Imagine an office where barriers drop between in-person and remote collaboration, where hybrid meetings are effortless and where digital tools empower every individual to be more connected and productive. From open social hubs to private focus areas, these spaces enable choice and freedom. They empower employees to tailor their surroundings to fit their unique tasks and work styles.
Inclusivity is also at the heart of the future workplace. Thoughtfully designed to embrace everyone, these spaces honor neurodiversity, mobility and individual ergonomic needs. Features such as wellness rooms, biophilic design elements and operable windows or outdoor spaces to provide fresh air will prioritize physical and mental health, while deep-focus quiet zones will cater to employees seeking distraction-free work environments.
We also know that sustainability will be vital to the future workplace. Think of spaces designed to reduce their environmental footprint through all-electric utilities, low-carbon materials, eliminating waste and preserving nature. These future workplaces will not only respond to how people work today but also anticipate evolving needs of the environment around them, ensuring they remain vibrant, relevant and sustainable for years to come.
Indeed, sustainability is a growing trend. How do you implement green practices into your designs?
Goldstein: Sustainability is embedded in everything we do. It’s the starting point for every project. Last year we introduced an industry first—the Gensler Product Sustainability Standards—which have established clear and ambitious performance criteria for the building materials that designers across our company select for our projects worldwide. Starting with some of the highest-impact product categories—things like drywall, carpet tile, insulation, acoustic ceiling tile and furniture—we’re prioritizing the use of low-carbon, healthy materials.
Since launching the GPS Standards, more than 2,800 products have been vetted for compliance and more than 1,500 designers and 1,000 manufacturers have been trained to meet our rigorous criteria.
And we’re just getting started. GPS v2.0 will launch this year, expanding into even more categories of building materials. These standards not only help reduce embodied carbon but also ensure materials are healthier for occupants, installers and manufacturers alike. And in practice, GPS has transformed our project delivery, streamlining sustainable decision-making for our clients.
Have you also been experimenting with AI and how you can incorporate it into your workplace designs?
Goldstein: Innovations in AI are helping us push the creative envelope further by enabling new ways to explore, refine and realize design concepts. We’re not just using it—we’re pioneering it through tools we’ve developed in-house that integrate AI and advanced data analytics.
For example, our AI Sandbox initiative allows our teams to experiment with design iterations in parallel, generating and analyzing hundreds of options in the time it would traditionally take to develop just a few. This approach not only accelerates decision-making but also empowers our designers to think more expansively and unlock new levels of creativity.
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We’re also integrating AI into tools that support real-time decision making. This helps us to quickly adapt workplace layouts, ensuring the ever-evolving employee needs are met. By combining the speed and precision of AI with the ingenuity of our designers, we can create environments that enhance collaboration, support hybrid work and promote well-being—all while saving significant time and resources.
One particularly exciting application involves AI-driven visualization tools that transform sketches and concepts into photorealistic renderings almost instantly. This allows us to focus more on the creative process, iterating quickly to perfect design intent and delivering ideas to clients in a way that’s both immersive and inspiring.
Our work with AI isn’t about replacing the human touch—it’s about amplifying it. By integrating these tools into our process, we’re able to explore the boundaries of innovation and create spaces that are not only functional but transformative for those who use them.
Speaking of transformative, please expand on how workplace design influences employee motivation and professional fulfillment.
Goldstein: A well-designed workplace can significantly impact motivation and professional fulfillment by fostering a sense of belonging, purpose and connection. Our research shows that environments designed with employee well-being in mind enhance creativity and engagement.
Some major factors to help enhance the employee experience are creating spaces that support focus, cooperation and relaxation. A good example of this is our design for Edelman UK’s London headquarters, which has a variety of seating types and biophilic touches, enabling employees to work comfortably and feel inspired. These kind of thoughtful design choices not only boost productivity but also strengthen an organization’s culture and workers’ sense of belonging.
Your 2025 design forecast also highlights multi-use districts as a key theme this year. Tell us more about the ways offices can seamlessly integrate into these dynamic environments.
Goldstein: Offices in multi-use districts represent the future of work, where the boundaries between professional, social and personal lives dissolve. These districts aren’t just about where you work—they’re about how you thrive. By embedding offices within neighborhoods with a rich blend of amenities like retail, dining, entertainment and residential spaces, they become part of a dynamic ecosystem.
Take Fifth + Broadway in Nashville, for example. This mixed-use development reimagines the site of the old Nashville Convention Center, turning it into a vibrant hub right in the heart of Music City. It blends retail, dining, entertainment, residential and office spaces, reconnecting iconic landmarks like Honky Tonk Row, the Ryman Auditorium and Bridgestone Arena into a 24/7 neighborhood.
With a 425,000-square-foot Class A office tower and a 350-unit residential tower, it strikes the perfect balance between modern design and Nashville’s rich traditions, creating spaces where people can work, play and truly feel connected to the city.
By prioritizing accessibility and connectivity, these districts encourage teamwork and enhance the overall workplace experience. … People are empowered to flow seamlessly between focused work, spontaneous collaboration and rejuvenating moments of downtime, all within a walkable, amenity-rich neighborhood.
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