It turns out that office design isn’t just about aesthetics, it directly influences productivity, employee well-being, and even staff retention.
Why healthier workspaces lead to higher performance
The physical workspace affects more than just workflow; it impacts employee health, absenteeism, and long-term job satisfaction. Research from the World Green Building Council found that “increasing fresh air circulation in an office can improve productivity by 11%.” Proper lighting is also key as natural light exposure has been linked to reduced stress and better concentration.
Companies that integrate greenery, wellness spaces, and ergonomic furniture into their office design see tangible improvements in employee engagement.
Another factor is movement. Offices tend to encourage sedentary behaviour, but providing amenities like standing desks, bicycle storage, and showers can encourage more activity.
The same study suggest that increased movement at work “is associated with a greater ability to plan, remember information and make decisions, as well as improved alertness, greater energy, and reduced levels of stress and anger.”
The recruitment and retention factor
Beyond productivity, office design plays a key role in attracting and keeping top talent. A Dell study found that “73% of office workers would consider leaving their company if their workplace environment didn’t inspire them.”
Real estate firms like BresicWhitney have leaned into this idea, designing offices that reflect high performance, teamwork, and creativity to keep employees engaged and motivated.
BresicWhitney CEO, Thomas McGlynn, worked with architectural firm Chen Chow Little on the Darlinghurst, Sydney office to create workplaces that would challenge the traditional estate agency ‘corner shopfront’, surprising clients and visitors.
“Our spaces reflect the neighbourhoods they’re a part of too, which was integral to our strategy to ensuring our spaces reflected the culture, mood, and values of our local communities.”
Ultimately, Thomas says the vision was, and still is, to create inspiring places for people to be successful and happy in the workplace.
“Providing spaces that inspire our people to do their best work is incredibly important to keeping productivity and teamwork front of mind.”
He adds that office spaces should be a reflection of both company culture and employee needs.
“Each of our five (BresicWhitney office) spaces have their own unique combination of hard and soft design elements. Our Inner East office for example has a more industrial aesthetic softened by timber accents, greenery and natural light.
“The distinctive meeting rooms are glass partitions designed to be drawn open and closed as the team requires, and there are a number of art installations throughout.
“Our Balmain office on the other hand is a light and ethereal space, sliced into private and public domains with sweeping curved partitions. We are particularly proud of our recently completed Lower North Shore office – its bold contemporary interiors contrast the 1920’s memorial hall it has repurposed.”
Thomas believes the investment in well-designed workspaces is paying off with staff appreciative of the workplace environment that has been created for their benefit.
“Most of our people spend the majority of their weeks in the office by choice which is not something we take for granted.”
Beyond being visually appealing, these spaces must also function effectively for both professional and social interactions
“Our meeting rooms, bump zones, and kitchen breakout areas all play a role in encouraging team interaction, collaboration, and creativity. We also integrate our art and furniture collection to offer a more nuanced setting where the team can meet and exchange ideas in a less formalised way.”
Thomas notes that while the investment in the office spaces was significant, it has positively impacted recruitment and retention.
“We’ve had a number of great real estate professionals join us in recent years because they resonate with our vision and want to be part of it. It’s incredibly gratifying.
“Our office spaces undoubtedly play a role in why people want to join us, but we know that having something bigger and more meaningful to contribute to is paramount.”
Is the future strategic refurbishments over new construction?
With hybrid work now the norm, businesses are rethinking their office layouts to encourage employees to come in.
Ray White’s latest research suggests that refurbishing well-located secondary office spaces is becoming a smarter investment than building new ones.
Ray White’s Head of Research, Vanessa Rader, notes that “affordability is increasingly driving occupier decisions, with many businesses prioritising cost-effective solutions over premium specifications.”
She is seeing a growing trend in strategic refurbishments rather than new builds, with “older buildings with ‘good bones’ in optimal locations” increasingly being targeted for renovation.
“As companies intensify their return-to-office initiatives, construction costs have emerged as a critical factor shaping market responses. Limited builder availability, rising material costs, and labour shortages have pushed development costs to unprecedented levels.
“This dynamic, combined with the substantial economic rents needed to justify new development, continues to favor strategic refurbishment over new construction for many owners – a trend similarly observed in the US market.”
Her research also points to a shift in what tenants value in a post-pandemic office market.
“Looking ahead, as workplace attendance continues to evolve, the market appears to be moving toward a more balanced view of office accommodation, where affordability and functionality play larger roles in occupier decisions.”
