1 in 2 companies plan to expand flexible spaces in the next three years

Unassigned seating and collaborative spaces emerged as top workplace efficiency boosters.

Unassigned seating, which refers to hot-desking and activity-based working, and collaborative spaces are emerging as effective ways to boost workplace efficiency, according to CBRE 2024 APAC Office Occupier Survey.  

Additionally, 49% of companies plan to expand their use of flexible spaces in the next three years, with interest in utilising on-demand event spaces.

The report noted that as more companies adopt unassigned seating, they will increase staff-to-desk sharing ratios to optimise space utilisation due to hybrid work patterns. 

Moreover, desk-sharing ratios have evolved, with 56% of respondents in 2023 setting the ratio at 1:1 or less, compared to 49% this year. 

This proportion is projected to further decline to 32%, as the practice of desk sharing continues to increase. 

The shift towards a higher desk-sharing ratio is expected to continue, with 47% of occupiers planning to adopt a sharing ratio of between 1.01:2.0 by 2026.

In terms of workspace, ~51% of respondents indicated their preference for a workspace of 75 sq. ft. to 125 sq. ft. per employee in the next three years. 

Companies opting for 50 sq. ft. or below of workspace per employee tended to be based in developing Asian countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand.