There is no question: the office will be making a comeback. But making the right decision on real estate has never been more critical. Engage your architect early to avoid costly mistakes down the line.

“The flagship is driven by the concept of ‘lifestyle’, which is not only about the products or merchandise, but rather about an ideal of a more free and open space for an open society. The space is fluid, there are no designated men’s or women's areas, they can all be either/or, and the layout can be constantly changed and re-adapted. The custom-made freestanding fixtures, which allow for a more intimate shopping experience, are designed to be movable and flexible, and embrace multiple ‘lifestyles’ and narratives,” says Florencia Pita, principal of Florencia Pita & Co.

The coffee cart is a bellwether of precisely what is wrong with the majority of return-to-office thinking. The focus on amenities, both large and small, does not comprehensively consider employee wellness and sense of belonging. Nor does it take accountability for the fact that employers have been building out deeply inadequate office space for decades.