FUTURE OF WORK WHITE PAPER 2024

Do the next generation of leaders and thinkers value a physical workplace?

On 15 February 2024, Davenport Campbell and UNSW partnered to host our annual Next Generation Workshop with students and graduates.

At the heart of this workshop was a shared commitment to remain open minded as we explored emerging trends and evolving needs. We workshopped innovative ways to support productivity, creativity and wellbeing, and we asked what kind of elements a workplace can provide to create meaningful connections between employees, their company, and their peers.

As designers, strategists and workplace enthusiasts, we’re passionate about using design to support companies and individuals to thrive. It’s easy to make predictions based on our own expertise and experiences, but how often do we sit with young team members and ask; What kind of environment would support you to do your best work? And better yet, Do you see value in a physical workplace?

We paired aspiring Interior Architecture students with young team members from a diverse cohort of our clients; some of Australia’s largest companies spanning the finance, construction, telecommunications, global tech and retail industries.

The workshop encouraged deep thinking from the minds of these young individuals and emerging leaders, and their valuable insights have been carefully distilled into this summary. A summary that we hope you use to create understanding and connection, and to attract new talent to your teams.

The workshop harnessed academia and industry expertise in a studio environment, sparking insightful dialogue and fresh perspectives across the following three activities:

A – Showcase of UNSW Student Presentations

B – Session 1 – What is the Value of the Workplace?

C – Session 2 – Shaping the Future Workplace

To summarise the vigorous discussion, we finished by asking, What would attract you to a physical workplace?