Employees still want a physical workplace in 2050: JLL

The majority of respondents to a JLL survey at TEDxSydney rate face to face contact very high in the workplace of the future (88 percent) and 59 percent still want a physical workplace but wouldn't create a CBD if they could.

Some, 81 percent liked the idea of an eco-campus where individuals could live, work and play, 57 percent wouldn’t create a CBD and 78 percent of people wanted to create small self-sufficient communities.

Results from the survey were used to create a new white paper from JLL titled ‘Is humanity the future architect?’.

Rajiv Nagrath, JLL’s Australian head of corporate account management said the research found that, despite technological advancements and the potential impacts of robotics and artificial intelligence, there was a desire for a future dependent on people, not machines.

"Even though it was acknowledged that future technology would allow work to be done anywhere, 88 percent of respondents still placed high value on face-to-face interaction in the workplace of the future," he said.

“While technology continues to evolve at a rapid rate, our basic needs and wants of human connection remain consistent with what they were 100 years ago.

“There will still be a desire for continued human engagement, connected communities and workplaces that foster co-working and entrepreneurship."

Richard Fennell, JLL’s Australian head of property and asset management said the results unanimously focused on human connections and a desire to be closer to nature.

"Some 92 percent of respondents wanted to create a responsive workplace that adapts to enhance the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants," he said.

"It seems that amongst our condensed and densely populated skylines, the people living and working within them are craving more open spaces, more air, and more natural materials and environments.

“Buildings in 2050 will respond and adapt to the people within it. For example, when you enter a lobby, the building will receive a biometric reading of your heart rate, general health and even your age. 

"This information will be used to enhance your experience within the building, such as temperature, sound, smell and visual adjustments via implanted devices or wearable technology."