The core issue is simple: to get employees back into the office, food and wellness drive the experience. And this is the part many overlook until they see it in action. But here’s where it gets controversial: does prioritizing meals and comfort mean neglecting productivity, or can those human-centered elements actually boost performance? Across conversations with CEOs, designers, and industry voices at Fortune’s Brainstorm Design conference in Macau, the trend became clear.
Ray Yuen, the office managing director at Gensler, argues that the key demand from workers is not more tasks or stricter schedules, but access to quality food and spaces that nourish well-being. A recent Gensler survey asked employees to rank what makes an office valuable, and the top picks were all about nourishment and gathering: a food hall, a café, or a lounge. Yuen summed it up on stage: “It’s really about food and wellness. They didn’t even mention anything about work. People simply chose what they need as human beings.”
This emphasis on human needs matters as companies strive to lure staff back to the workplace. Yuen shared a Tokyo headquarters project where half the workforce was remote. One standout feature that helped bring people back was a lo-fi vinyl listening bar—no tech, no talking—designed to offer a space that people genuinely enjoyed.
Flexibility remains essential. Previously, Yuen described a design approach that dedicated about 80% of a campus to fixed furniture and cubicles, with roughly 20% reserved for flexible space. Today, the mix is closer to 50/50, enabling quick rearrangements for activities such as office happy hours or other gatherings when they arise.
The overarching aim is shifting from building mere workplaces to crafting immersive experiences. If employees can work effectively from anywhere, the challenge becomes making the on-site environment compelling enough to draw them in. The workplace must offer more than a place to work; it should feel engaging and enjoyable—the “fun part” of modern design.
Kristin Stoller
Editorial Director, Fortune Live Media
kristin.stoller@fortune.com
Around the Table
A roundup of the most important HR headlines.
Employers used to discourage social media use during work hours, but now some companies—Starbucks, Delta, and others—are asking employees to share on-the-job content on social platforms. Wall Street Journal
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is reportedly slowing or blocking transgender-related claims. Bloomberg
As automated hiring systems come under scrutiny for potential discrimination, several states are expanding bans on AI-driven bias. Washington Post
Watercooler
Everything you need to know from Fortune.
- Meeting shakeup: Instagram’s CEO is bringing staff back to the office five days a week but is canceling many recurring meetings. Fortune
- Earnings note: Gen Z graduates in the U.K. earn about 30% less than Millennials did at the same stage. Fortune
- Trade note: With Gen Z gravitating toward trades and blue-collar roles, manufacturing remains a sector they’re hesitant to enter. Fortune
