JLL sets 2026 design agenda for flexible AI-led offices

JLL has outlined a design agenda for commercial property in Asia Pacific, linking long-term asset value to flexibility, artificial intelligence, personalisation and social spaces as organisations reassess offices and mixed-use developments amid shifting work patterns and consumer behaviour.

The real estate services group has published its 2026 Design Perspectives Report for corporate real estate leaders, investors and facilities teams. It positions design as a strategic input to portfolio decisions, alongside technology planning and operational requirements.

Across the region, businesses are facing volatile demand for space, higher occupier expectations and faster refresh cycles for building systems. Owners are also grappling with what counts as "tech-enabled" real estate as digital services evolve.

"Organisations are investing in spaces that elevate experience, productivity and talent attraction, cementing real estate as an engine for business value," said Nicasio Gutiérrez, JLL's global head of design for Project and Development Services.

"The interplay of adaptability, technology and human-centric design has become essential as businesses look to future-proof their portfolios in a world marked by volatility and rapid change," he said.

Hardwired flexibility

A central theme is what the report calls "hardwired flexibility". It shifts planning away from short-term fixes such as movable furniture and temporary partitions, and towards structural and services decisions that keep space adaptable for longer.

JLL highlights plug-and-play infrastructure and modular building systems that can help buildings adjust more quickly as workplace models change or technology upgrades. It also links this approach to "elastic portfolio" strategies, where organisations expect space needs to expand and contract.

The approach has implications for capital planning. Buildings designed around modularity and adaptable services can reduce disruption from refits and support leasing propositions for occupiers with shorter decision cycles.

AI and human connection

The report puts AI in the context of operational change and the evolving nature of work, arguing that automation increases the value of in-person interaction and social connection in workplaces and districts.

From a design perspective, JLL points to tactile environments and sensory engagement, including natural materials and biophilic elements that influence how occupants feel. It also cites neuro-design as a pathway to spaces that support cognitive health and a sense of belonging.

Survey data in the report shows 71% of global respondents value workplaces designed with greenery and natural materials, while 61% want digital detox spaces. These findings sit alongside growing corporate interest in wellbeing policies, even as firms seek clearer measures of return on investment.

Personalised experiences

JLL argues that expectations shaped by entertainment, retail and leisure are increasingly carrying over into real estate, with people looking for distinct experiences where they work, live and spend time.

The report links this to concierge-style offerings, bespoke events and digital services embedded in buildings. It notes that generational expectations and AI-driven experiences are reshaping personalisation, and describes a model combining technology-assisted experience design with inclusive environments.

Data cited in the report suggests 65% of people worldwide seek "unique and distinct experiences", while 68% prefer locally produced products. JLL presents this as evidence of a link between experience, community identity and sustainability-linked consumption.

Anchor spaces

A fourth perspective focuses on areas many buildings treat as circulation or leftover zones. The report describes a shift from underused "in-between spaces" to "anchor spaces" designed for social interaction and collaboration.

These areas can sit within individual buildings or extend across lifestyle districts. The report points to higher utilisation, alongside cultural benefits for organisations that want workplaces to function as community hubs.

It also ties anchor spaces to commercial outcomes, citing US data suggesting lifestyle districts and anchor spaces can lift rental values by as much as 32%. It adds that younger employees place greater priority on vibrant areas for collaboration and socialising.

Asia Pacific focus

For Asia Pacific, the report frames design as a balance between innovation and local context, citing demand for experience-led environments that reflect cultural expectations and market-specific behaviour.

"In the Asia Pacific region, the emphasis is on unique, experience-led environments that balance innovation with tradition," said Gonzalo Portellano, JLL's head of APAC design and global growth and design desk lead for Project and Development Services.

"Forward-thinking organizations recognize that investing in modular and technology-ready spaces-thoughtfully adapted from global standards to reflect local context and needs-positions them to attract talent and deliver sustained value throughout changing cycles," he said.

Implications for owners

The report suggests early engagement with technical specialists and local stakeholders can shape long-term building performance. It also argues that completed projects should feed lessons back into portfolio planning, with buildings treated as testbeds for innovation.

On investor sentiment, the report says 93% of investors agree technology-enabled properties deliver stronger returns. It also notes that definitions of tech-enabled space are changing quickly, increasing the importance of adaptable building platforms.

"Design is now a strategic response to continual disruption," said Ruth Hynes, global research lead for Project and Development Services at JLL.

"Our data shows that flexible design, technology-enabled spaces and intelligent personalization strategies directly enhance asset resilience, wellness and sustainability outcomes. Balancing technology-enabled spaces with human-centric design is a key challenge and opportunity as we head into 2026," she said.