In This Issue:
Steelcase plans job cuts on 'lower-than-expected return-to-office trends'
In this issue… architecture billings remain in a historic slump even as inquiries continue, while CRE sales, D.C. office upgrades, and ergonomic furniture demand point to selective market strength. Hybrid work debates intensify as Bank of America limits back-to-back remote days, workers link remote work to mental health, and flex-office platforms expand. Design coverage looks at purposeful meeting rooms, neuroinclusive environments, brand-building offices, civic spaces, and even a one-square-meter treehouse workspace. Product highlights include sustainable acoustic panels and ceiling tiles, flexible mobile tables, modular seating, and metallic hair-on-hide leather for elevated interiors.
In this issue… ergonomic support for students, improving furniture demand, and MillerKnoll’s workplace culture point to cautious industry momentum, while office markets show a split recovery led by AI companies, flexible workspace providers, premium towers, Manhattan leasing strength, and tenant flight to quality. Contractors face rising costs and shrinking backlogs, while DOGE lease savings claims come under scrutiny. Features explore AI’s role in making offices more collaborative, new aesthetics in design, and digital workflows that reduce waste. Workspace stories cover flex-office expansion, workplace well-being, food perks, and posture concerns, while trends spotlight healthcare environments and the persistence of gray interiors. Product coverage highlights new lighting, acoustic, seating, and inclusive furniture solutions from Sabin, Landscape Forms, Unika Vaev, Arcadia, and Hightower.
In this issue… Design at Work New York partners with AIA New York for a 2027 commercial interiors event, while Lane Office changes hands and Teknion expands Koorosh Sharghi’s leadership role. The office market shows mixed momentum, with stronger leasing, falling vacancy, suburban gains, cautious investment, and AI reshaping both space needs and employment. Features explore Pearson Lloyd’s human-centered design approach, campus design as a strategic tool, and the rising importance of ancillary, flexible, color-conscious, and quiet spaces. Product news highlights Palmer Hamilton’s Comfort Plus Seat, Carnegie’s sustainable Aperture Embroider textile, OFGO STUDIO’s expanded UNIFY seating, J+J Flooring’s Ume, and Herman Miller’s revived Girard throws.
In this issue… strong Q2 results from DIRTT, HNI, JLL, CBRE and others point to a healthier contract and real estate market, with office demand, leasing and prime-space absorption gaining momentum even as rent recovery remains uneven. AI is reshaping workplace planning, pushing companies toward flexible footprints, premium amenities, variable-cost space models and new real estate types, from data centers to quantum facilities. Hybrid work continues to redefine the office around rituals, collaboration, culture and employee experience, while WeWork and coworking markets adapt to larger enterprise needs. Features explore resilient facility management and live-learn-work innovation hubs, while product and design highlights include new seating, textiles, modular lounge systems, carpet collections and sustainable workplace furnishings.
In this issue… construction and architecture remain uneven, with resilient design, public funding, healthcare, AI and data-center projects creating pockets of growth while traditional offices and discretionary sectors soften. Office markets show sharp divides, from Manhattan, California, Phoenix and AI-heavy submarkets gaining momentum to LA and furniture retail facing continued pressure. Workplace coverage looks at AI’s impact on jobs, office design, utilization, Gen Z social habits, job lock and new ways landlords activate space. Design stories emphasize data-driven planning, hybrid meeting rooms and AI-ready workplaces. Trends point to coworking becoming part of travel platforms, while product updates spotlight sustainable carpet tile, modular workwalls, textiles, HPL surfaces and flexible seating collections.
