Decoding wellness in Asia-Pacific

With companies keen to raise office attendance levels and improve work efficiency, workplace transformation is becoming ever more important.
Written By:
Christine Li, Knight Frank
2 minutes to read

The way companies are using workspaces has evolved along with higher expectations of an ideal work environment. As companies seek to create an effective workplace, maximising employee well-being is a critical consideration. Such details are also increasingly vital as organisations firm up their hybrid strategies.

This means an emphasis on high-quality office space, as it gives firms a concrete blueprint to reimagine workspaces and incorporate fit-out elements, technology and amenities for the future of work. 51% of respondents from the Knight Frank | Cresa (Y)OUR SPACE 2023 survey are expected to raise the quality of space within their portfolio in the Asia-Pacific region, up from just 37% in the survey from two years ago.

What services and amenities are occupiers prioritising for their staff?

Focusing on Asia-Pacific respondents, the survey found that office occupiers are placing on-site F&B options, mental health and fitness amenities at the top of the list.

This implies strategically located offices which boast a good selection of retail and leisure amenities, which gives employees ample options to shape their work week according to their lifestyle preferences, from recreational offerings and diet decisions, all of which facilitate a better work-life balance. Design features that integrate natural light and green spaces are also known for their benefits on well-being.

Sparked by health and safety concerns during the pandemic, priorities for Asia-Pacific employees have also evidently shifted towards health and wellness. While the focus was mostly on physical aspects before the pandemic, it is no longer just about installing ergonomic furniture. Instead, the concept of well-being has become more holistic.

The outbreak, which heightened anxiety and enforced isolation, has brought mental health issues to the fore. As the survey points out, facilities supporting mental health are deemed more important than access to gym facilities.

The concept of wellbeing is also expanding to include emotional and developmental aspects. Such expectations are also valued by the millennial workforce, whose desire for a better work-life balance is well known. Successful amenity provision speaks to these evolving demands, all of which create workspaces that will help organisations attract and retain talent.

Discover more

Delve deeper into (Y)OUR SPACE research to discover data-led insights about the future direction of travel in corporate real estate.