In a post-pandemic era of changed working modes, what employees want from their in-office experience has shifted considerably, according to design firm Gensler’s 2025 Global Workplace Survey.
In the UAE, workers say that ideally 67% of their working week should be in-office, higher than the global average of about 60%. Only 31% strongly agree that their current work environments let them ‘do their best work’. Noise, lack of room availability, and inefficient layouts remain persistent problems.
Space that was once static can now be dynamic
Covid-19 did more than force staff to work remotely; it also changed what people expect of in-office time. The office is now seen as a place people should willingly come to, rather than one they are forced to. But many meeting rooms are still poorly equipped for hybrid or confidential work – only around 28% of UAE workers think their meeting spaces support those purposes properly.
A major shift is privacy and acoustics. Open floorplans, once all the rage, have given way to quiet zones, acoustic partitions and sound-absorbing finishes. Similarly, daylight control, adjustable lighting, and the ability to modify the environment (in terms of layout, for example, or noise reduction) are increasingly non-negotiable.
Hybrid working also means that offices may be used less frequently and be less densely populated. Refurbishments are increasingly designed with lower occupancy in mind, with flexible desks (hotdesking), activity-based work settings and reservable rooms. Space that was once static is now dynamic.
Status symbol
For businesses and their advisers across the region, this workplace shift is being balanced against the traditional view of the office as the public face of the organisation. An office is an important statement of professionalism and success, designed to impress clients and attract future talent, as much as to meet the needs of employees.
Grand lobbies, façades and the entrance experience matter but increasingly employees are placing more value on substance over style, and are looking at how well the space supports their day-to-day work. In the survey, only 15% of UAE workers described their ideal office as a formal ‘business hub’; many more preferred spaces described as ‘creative labs’ or wellness-oriented, purpose-driven environments.
Staff inclusion in the design process correlates with better outcomes
Organisations across the world are adapting and refurbishing their office layouts to reflect the new world of work, but the Middle East faces more challenges than most. Multinationals often have staff from dozens of nationalities, so cultural preferences around privacy, face-to-face interaction, socialising and ritual (such as prayer times) all come into play.
Inevitably, climate and environmental realities must be confronted. Daylight, outdoor terraces, shading, cooling and energy efficiency rank highly. Natural light, greenery and indoor-outdoor connectivity are becoming standard features in refurbishments, rather than optional extras. The preference for ‘nature retreats’ or wellness-focused zones, as reported in the Gensler UAE data, reflects this.
Key design goals
The key drivers shaping how refurbishments are being scoped, designed and delivered in the region include the following.
Flexibility and spatial variety. Work modes now include solo, paired, group, virtual and social, with offices being refitted to support them all. Movable partitions, modular furniture and multiuse rooms that can switch between focus and collaboration zones are being adopted.
Wellbeing and health. Air quality, daylight, access to outdoor/green spaces, good acoustics and ergonomic furniture are all important considerations, along with features such as wellness rooms and quiet pods. PwC’s regional headquarters at Emaar Square in Dubai, for example, saw a refit that combines open collaboration zones with quiet pods and wellness rooms, and incorporates natural light and prayer facilities.
Technology and smart controls. Smart tech such as sensor-controlled lighting and air conditioning that reacts to occupancy levels, tools for hybrid meetings, and digital wayfinding are a core element in refit initiatives. In Dubai, for example, new office projects are integrating AI and data-driven management of space and comfort. Technology giant Schneider Electric’s new Dubai office is described as being ‘as smart as its tech’. AI-driven systems track energy use, occupancy and air quality in real time, while biophilic features – from greenery to daylight optimisation – underline a sustainability ethos.
Sustainability and local climate adaptation. Designs that reduce energy demands have both cost and environmental appeal. New office projects in Doha increasingly use smart shading systems, advanced cooling technology and low-carbon materials. Employers increasingly seek green building certification, seeing it as both an environmental responsibility and a recruitment advantage in attracting talent.
Employee inclusion in the design process. One of the more striking findings from the Gensler survey is that globally only about 21% of staff in offices that were updated over the past three years felt they had been meaningfully included in the design decision-making process. Inclusion correlates with better outcomes: improved access to key spaces, greater satisfaction, better performance. Businesses that solicit feedback, run workshops or include varied roles in design advisory have better alignment with what users want.
High-spec refurbs are expensive, and there’s no guaranteed ROI
The cost of the new
These layout requirements come at a premium, with no guaranteed return on investment. High-spec refurbishments are expensive, and smart tech, movable partitions and greenery require often specialised maintenance, without which those new features degrade fast. Not only is ROI in terms of staff retention or productivity sometimes slow to show but also there will inevitably be an element of resistance, with some employees preferring more traditional office formats to open layouts.
Nevertheless, office design is evolving to address contemporary challenges, aligning physical space with flexible working modes, cultural expectations, wellbeing, flexibility and sustainability. The key is to ensure that the design meets not only what looks good, but what people need to feel motivated, focused and connected. The best offices will be those that give people choice, respect culture, support health and deliver purpose.
