Now in its 14th year, Clerkenwell Design Week represents a key milestone in the calendar that helps to establish these core principles for the year ahead.
So what can we expect to see when it comes to the design of our office space moving forward?
Now more than ever, the real estate industry has a responsibility to provide workplace design that helps to create inclusive, conscious and healthy environments. These are shaped by both new and enduring trends including wellness, sustainability and diversity.
Creativity as a wellness tool
A growing trend, especially when it comes to workplace design, is the use of creativity as a means to support mental health and wellness. In an industry that often thrives on tight deadlines and constant innovation, there's increasing recognition of the need to slow down and embrace design as a form of healing.
Designers and creatives are turning to immersive, mindful experiences to reconnect with the joy of the process—whether through hands-on workshops, art-based mindfulness sessions, or tactile, sensory-focused activities. These practices aren't just about aesthetic output; they’re about presence, exploration, and emotional well-being.
The key insight? Wellness should be embedded not just into the environments we create, but into the creative journeys that bring those office spaces to life.
A deeper commitment to sustainability
Sustainability continues to shape the direction of contemporary design. With rising awareness around environmental impact, more designers are prioritising local production, responsible sourcing, and long-lasting materials as part of office fit-outs.
One inspiring approach comes from a UK-based kitchen brand, whose modular, made-to-order kitchens exemplify customisation with a conscience. Each kitchen is unique, rooted in individuality, built for durability, and designed with sustainability at its core. Their rejection of “one-size-fits-all” thinking signals a broader movement toward more imaginative, thoughtful, low-waste design.
Across the real estate industry, there's a clear push toward circular practices, transparency in materials, and environmental resilience. The narrative is shifting: specifying sustainably is not a constraint—it’s an opportunity to craft more meaningful and innovative solutions when creating sustainable workplaces.
Designing with neurodiversity in mind
Another major shift in the design landscape is the integration of neurodiversity as a foundational design principle. With an estimated one in seven people identifying as neurodivergent, there's a growing commitment to create workplaces that cater to a broader spectrum of cognitive and sensory needs.
Designers are now considering factors such as lighting, acoustics, spatial flow, and materiality to reduce sensory overload and promote ease of navigation. The emphasis is on inclusive design that feels intuitive, calm, and welcoming to everyone.
This isn't about ticking accessibility boxes—it's about encouraging empathy and embracing human variation as a central design driver. Designing for neurodiversity is quickly becoming a hallmark of progressive, people-first environments.
Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 reminded us that design happens in a world where wellbeing, environmental impact, and inclusivity must take precedence. From nurturing our mental health through creative expression, to sourcing responsibly and designing for all brains and bodies, this year’s festival left us with both inspiration and responsibility for the future of the office.
Ultimately, as an industry we must keep pushing for workplace designs that don’t just look good, but feel good, do good, and welcome all.
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