Latest office design trends focus on AI, flexibility, function, and more

Today’s workplaces likely have a different look and feel than the offices of just a few years ago. When hybrid work first became normalized, organizations began looking at space differently and even downsizing their real estate footprints. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is getting a lot of attention as designers look at ways to optimize space for humans—and their AI agent coworkers. Researchers are also focusing on how people work and whether the old desk-centric office needs to be reevaluated.

AI is a new design challenge

In its list of office design trends for 2026, architecture and design firm Gensler notes that AI agents are now often contributing team members, and office design should take that into account.

Often, AI team members need to be portable, moving around the office, joining meetings, and taking part in conversations. Other times, they may live in a project room, tracking project-related files and making suggestions on how to meet goals. Regardless of how they’re used, office design needs to be planned so both people and AI are productive.

Design firm DLR also recognizes the importance of designing workplaces with AI in mind. In a report on 2026 trends, DLR notes that AI not only is transforming how people work but also can affect workspaces.