Design Forecast 2016

Gensler Design Forecast 2016
Energy
Seizing the opportunities
for transformation
Climate change and other environmental
quality issues will be a bigger factor than
energy costs in spurring efforts to achieve net
zero in buildings and transportation, and to
cut energy’s carbon footprint. Energy brands
will adapt in response.
The UN and Shell both predict that world
demand for potable water, food, and energy
will rise 40 to 50 percent by 2030. Meeting
this demand in a resilient way will pose a
challenge for the energy sector, as well as for
cities. In the shorter run, depressed oil prices
will put renewed pressure on firms tied to that
resource to cut costs and boost utilization.
In addition, energy companies and related
industries are looking beyond efficiency to
ask how they can leverage technology and
work processes to optimize their real estate
portfolios. This will translate to dynamic
work settings that increase real estate
utilization, spur innovation, retain talent,
and reinforce brand values.
A preoccupation with worker safety will
carry over from the field into the realm of
knowledge workers, including mobile workers.
As knowledge work becomes more open
and collaborative, security will be a bigger
issue, especially if younger workers exercise
their preference for incubators, accelerators,
and coworking spaces over office towers
and campuses.
Southwestern Energy Company, Spring, TX
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