Back in 2020, we watched the world pause — and with it, the workplace. Offices were left empty, routines were broken, and uncertainty took the lead.
In the months that followed, we heard it all: “The office is over.” “Remote is permanent.” “We’ll never work the same again.”
Five years on, those early predictions feel like noise. The reality is more nuanced — and far more interesting.
The office didn’t die. It adapted. Quietly, deliberately, and in ways that are still evolving.
At Prime, we’ve seen that shift play out across dozens of fit-outs throughout London and the South East. Here’s what’s really changed since 2020 — and how those changes are shaping the spaces we design and build today.
The Purpose-Led Office
The biggest shift hasn’t been aesthetic — it’s strategic. Companies aren’t investing in offices just because they always have. They’re doing it with clearer intent.
We’ve seen clients reduce their square footage but increase the quality of their spaces. There’s less emphasis on desk count and more on creating zones that support meaningful interaction, focused work, or quiet thinking.
Put simply: presence is no longer the goal. Purpose is.
Plug & Play, At Pace
Speed and flexibility have redefined how space is delivered — especially in the landlord and asset management world.
Cat A+ and plug & play fit-outs are now a standard request. Landlords want to minimise downtime and maximise leasing potential, while occupiers want ready-to-use, well-specified spaces they can move into with minimal friction.
We’re meeting that demand without sacrificing quality — delivering fast-track projects that still reflect thoughtful planning, smart detailing and long-term value.
Comfort is the New Culture
Post-pandemic, ‘workplace culture’ has taken on a new meaning — less about slogans on the wall, more about how the space makes people feel.
There’s a clear move towards softer, more welcoming environments. Think hospitality-influenced reception areas, acoustic layering, warmer lighting, and tactile materials.
In the past, we were asked to create impressive spaces. Today, we’re asked to create comfortable, human ones.
Built for Change
Flexibility has moved from being a buzzword to being a baseline requirement.
Every client now wants to know: can this space flex as our business evolves?
That could mean demountable partitions, modular joinery, mobile tech, or future-proofed infrastructure — all planned from day one.
Fit-outs today need to move and adapt just as quickly as the teams who occupy them.
The Post-Hybrid Brief
For a while, ‘hybrid working’ dominated the workplace conversation. And while it’s still relevant, we’ve seen a shift in how it’s approached.
The question is no longer how to accommodate hybrid — it’s how to make time in the office actually count.
Our clients aren’t designing around remote policies anymore. They’re designing around experience:
What do people need when they’re here? What makes them choose to come in?
That’s become the new brief — and it’s changing everything from layout to lighting strategy.
Design Meets HR
More than ever, space planning is being driven by people teams, not just project managers.
We’ve worked with HR directors and culture leads who understand that office design is now directly tied to retention, onboarding and wellbeing.
The right spatial strategy doesn’t just support day-to-day tasks — it helps attract and keep great talent. And that means it’s now a key part of business strategy, not just interior design.
The Quiet Return of Private Space
The open-plan office hasn’t disappeared, but we’re seeing a clear recalibration.
Clients are asking for more small, enclosed spaces within open layouts — not just for execs, but for team collaboration, focus time or sensitive conversations.
It’s not about going backwards. It’s about giving people choice.
And that means creating a better balance between openness and privacy — something we’re factoring into more and more of our projects.
Delivery Still Defines Us
One thing hasn’t changed — and won’t.
Design may evolve. Priorities may shift. But build quality is still what defines a successful project.
It’s the sharp junction detail. The seamless finish. The door that just feels right in the hand.
The kind of precision that doesn’t shout — but always gets noticed.
No matter how ambitious the concept, delivery is what turns vision into value. And it’s what we continue to be trusted to get right.
Looking Ahead
The past five years forced a rethink. But they also gave us clarity.
The office isn’t dead. It’s more purposeful, more personal, and more powerful than ever — when it’s done well.
At Prime, we’re not chasing trends. We’re designing and delivering the kind of spaces that keep people connected, focused, and ready for what’s next.
Because the future of the office? We’re already building it.