Preparing for the Future Workplace | What the F* is Happening to the Office? | Mark Bryan

Описание: What if we could look into a crystal ball and design the future workplace today?Are we preparing for what’s next, or redesigning yesterday’s office?

In this episode of *What the F is Happening to the Office?**, Bob Fox sits down with Mark Bryan, Chief Research & Strategy Officer at IIDA, to explore why most “future of work” conversations are stuck debating layouts, policies, and attendance, instead of how work itself is fundamentally changing.

Mark introduces strategic foresight, a data-driven discipline focused on preparation, not prediction; and explains why organizations must design for measurable human outcomes: trust, wellbeing, learning, social cohesion, and performance.

We explore:
• The convergence of AI, connected devices, and digital twins
• Why utilization data can mislead decision-making
• How immersive environments go beyond headsets
• The coming technology “supercycle” reshaping work
• Why the workplace must evolve from container to trust platform

If you're a workplace leader, architect, designer, CRE executive, or strategist trying to prepare your organization for the next 10 years, this conversation will expand how you think about work, technology, and human potential.

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Special thanks to Global Furniture Group for supporting this episode.https://www.globalfurnituregroup.com/


Key takeaways

Foresight is about preparation, not prediction—planning for multiple futures and finding the “red threads” across scenarios.
The “future of work” conversation is often mislabeled—many debates are really about workplace layouts and attendance, not how work is evolving.
Design should start with outcomes (trust, cohesion, learning, wellbeing, reduced stress), not just aesthetics or utilization targets.
The next era may be shaped by a converging AI + connected devices + synthetic biology super-cycle, enabling workplaces that adapt dynamically.
Utilization data alone can mislead; we need more “why” data tied to behaviors, purpose, and human performance.
Immersive experiences aren’t about headsets—think layered physical + digital environments and subtle interactions (touch/haptics, projection, sensing).
Blind spots: short time horizons, outdated workflows, and fear of tech replacement that prevents re-skilling and innovation.
The workplace can evolve from “container” to trust platform—and potentially support neighborhood-level connection, not just coworker proximity.

Chapters
00:00 - Teaser
01:35 - Introduction: Preparing for the Future Workplace
02:56 - Mark Bryan on Design, Research & IIDA Futures
04:20 - What Is Strategic Foresight? (Preparing vs Predicting)
07:20 - Type of Data and Insights
09:20 - Black Swan vs. Behavioral Change
10:50 - Future of Work vs Future Workplace
13:29 - How Work Is Changing: Longevity, Flexibility & Identity
15:40 - Technology’s Role in the Future Workplace
17:39 - Designing Work Environments for Long-Term Outcomes
18:56 - Vision, Trust & Workplace Culture Alignment
23:46 - AI, Connected Devices & the Next Tech Supercycle
27:01 - Robots & Automation in the Workplace
29:14 - Beyond Utilization: What Workplace Data Really Matters
32:08 - AI & Workflow Optimization in Workplace Strategy
35:30 - Immersive Workplace Experiences (Beyond Headsets)
42:08 - Future Planning, Adaptability & Modular Design
46:08 - Managing Rapid Change in Workplace Design
51:57 - Skills Future Workplace Leaders Must Develop
53:29 - Blind Spots in Future of Work Planning
55:51 - Relationship-Centered Design & Social Cohesion

Keywords
future of work, workplace design, built environment, technology, collaboration, communication, data, design process, immersive experiences, human experience, technology integration, social cohesion, design strategy, learning environments, organizational change, strategic foresight, digital twins, AI in workplace design, future workplace strategy, relationship-centered design

Hashtags
#FutureOfWork #WorkplaceStrategy #WorkplaceDesign #HybridWork #EmployeeExperience #DesignThinking #GlobalFurnitureGroup