Interview
How are offices changing?
- Office functions are expected to evolve from purely operational containers into social destinations, driven by a shift away from evaluating employees based on physical presence toward assessing results and autonomy.
- Hybrid working models are projected to reshape urban planning and city appearances, promoting a "hub and spoke" approach with smaller, local offices and integrating concepts like the "15-minute city" where daily necessities are within close proximity.
- Companies anticipate that locations near residential areas will attract competitive talent and businesses, with the mixing of residential and office spaces expected to become a global trend beyond Singapore.
- Management practices are predicted to require high trust and a move away from traditional presenteeism, with flexibility potentially becoming a top job priority surpassing salary expectations.
- A significant risk exists that gender inequality may worsen, particularly in Asia, as discriminatory attitudes could cause working mothers to reduce their time in company offices, creating "losers" in the hybrid model.
- Urban planners foresee a reversal of the last 100 to 150 years of separation between living and working zones, aiming for cities where people live, work, play, and learn in close proximity to improve individual, community, and business outcomes.