Outlook on Design Trends 2025

In the workplace, organizations are shifting their focus from attendance-based metrics to outcomes like innovation and talent attraction, recognizing the intrinsic value of physical spaces in building social capital. Increased collaboration between designers and psychologists, social scientists and other specialists will focus on spaces that are designed for different group dynamics, visual connectivity that fosters sense of community, and understanding the spectrum of spaces for different interactions.

There will be an increased emphasis on shared and transition spaces that nurture community and facilitate shared experiences, while group dining spaces, gamification and technology are bringing more innovative design solutions to social spaces in retail and hospitality.

Retrofitting and conversion of existing buildings continues to gain momentum in 2025, as global trends of aging building stock, supply shortages across sectors and in-demand locations, and increased ESG requirements are increasing the risk of a ‘do-nothing’ approach for developers, landlords and occupiers.

In 2025 this continued momentum will accelerate the role of design in unlocking holistic value from investment in sustainability features and building refurbishments. Effective strategies for existing buildings will go beyond improved energy efficiency and functional upgrades, taking a more holistic approach to retrofit design that can support talent and visitor attraction, brand strategy, community impact and improved health and wellbeing.

While JLL Research shows that 60% of employers plan to increase investment in building refurbishments in the next five years and increase investment in sustainability performance of real estate, sustainability demands are driven by both corporate commitments and changing employee expectations. Younger generations choose to work and live in environments that demonstrate sustainability credentials, with 72% of Gen Z and Millennials reporting they ‘always choose the most environmentally friendly option’ as consumers, compared to 55% of those aged 60 years and over.

Sustainable design will become more integrated with organizations branding, and visually demonstrating eco-credentials will be a design focus in 2025. We’ll see increased use of natural and recycled material palettes to create more tangible links between an organizational sustainability journey and visual identity, an important factor in talent attraction.

At an urban scale, sustainability-focused mixed-use regeneration will be key for ‘destination places’ centered around green spaces, community access and ‘science-led design’ that demonstrates sustainability and circular principles and showcases sustainable credentials.

As developers and occupiers look to future-proof investments in buildings, these trends indicate the importance of considering the following principles:

• People-centric design is evolving to consider the impact of buildings on individuals and groups. Developers and occupiers should consider engaging with non-traditional design fields, such as psychology or sociology, as part of developing the definitions of design teams.
• The use of data & research embedded in design strategies will become central to navigate complex design requirements. AI tools and ‘science-led design’ approaches will provide greater opportunities to enhance sustainable and human-centric design.
• New partnerships will be needed to connect design investment to broader outcomes including talent attraction and operational efficiency. Early integration of interior design, brand strategy and experience design can achieve greater return on investment.