Perspectives podcast: Elastic buildings and adapting to the future of work

In the first episode of the Flex for Thought series, part of the JLL Perspectives podcast, Tashi Dorjee, Head of Flex at JLL and Charlotte Stratton, Head of Leasing and Asset Management from Lendlease unpack the idea of buildings that adapt over time - transforming the way we work, collaborate and interact with space.

Charlotte Stratton introduces the concept of "elastic buildings" – a forward-thinking approach to designing commercial spaces that can adapt and evolve throughout their lifecycle.

This concept addresses the challenges of traditional office design while providing sustainable solutions for changing tenant needs.

"Buildings have such a long lifetime that we've got to think about how buildings continue to respond and change over the course of their life and meet the needs of our customers throughout," explains Stratton. "When I think about an elastic building, it's really around how a customer within the building can grow and shrink, but do that in a capital-appropriate way."

The traditional approach to office space has often been wasteful – when tenants expand or contract, landlords typically rip out and replace fit-outs. Elastic buildings take a different approach by designing flex spaces with more generic, adaptable features that can be modified with minimal waste as tenant needs change.

1. Core and flex solutions that allow tenants to grow or shrink their footprint

2. Generic designs that can be easily customized with colors, accents, and soft furnishings

3. Thoughtful design that considers both "hardware" (physical space) and software" (experiences and services)

4. Multipurpose, interchangeable spaces that can adapt to different uses

"You're not throwing out a really amazing fit-out. You're not destroying the planet. You're not being wasteful," notes Stratton. "It's about how this building will go through its lifecycle and how it can continue to meet needs."

Modern office buildings are evolving to support how people actually work today. Stratton highlights how successful spaces now provide:

• Diverse work settings to accommodate different work styles and neurodivergent needs
• Spaces throughout common areas where people can plug in and work
• Meeting room pods for private calls
• Functional outdoor spaces with Wi-Fi, power, and weather considerations
   

Listen to the full episode here:https://youtu.be/9ek34ZR19VQ