The State of the Office 2026 – From Return to Reinvention

State of the Office 2026 - Interview with Jennifer Janus

What if the future of the office isn’t about mandates… but about making people actually want to be there? In this third episode of my State of the Office in 2026 Workplace Series, I sit down with Jennifer Janus, President of Pophouse, to explore workplace through the lens of interior design, culture, and human connection. This conversation goes beyond real estate—it gets to the why behind the office. Key takeaways from the episode: We’ve moved from “return to work” ? “reinvention” The question is no longer if the office matters, but what it’s for. Design drives behavior Well-designed workplaces are seeing double the utilization—experience matters. The office is part of an ecosystem When people come in, cities thrive—restaurants, retail, and community all follow. Amenities must be intentional—not gimmicks From social spaces to wellness and even play (yes… pickleball), the goal is connection and energy. Mandates don’t work—magnetism does If people don’t see value, they won’t stay. The best workplaces pull people in. Partnership is a competitive advantage The best ideas—and best spaces—come from collaboration across disciplines. Flexibility is the future-proof strategy Design for change, not permanence. This episode is a deep dive into how design, culture, and business strategy are converging to reshape the workplace. If you’re thinking about your office, your people, or your next move—this one’s worth your time. I’d love to hear from you . . What’s actually bringing people back to your workplace right now? Drop your thoughts below or message me at catalloscott@gmail.com [catalloscott@gmail.com] —your input helps shape where this series goes next. And if you find value in these conversations, share it with someone navigating the same questions. #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceStrategy #OfficeDesign #Architecture #InteriorDesign #Detroit #Leadership #HybridWork

The State of the Office 2026 - Interview with Tim Kay

The workplace conversation isn’t about if the office still matters anymore… It’s about how it evolves from here. In the latest episode of Where Do We Go From Here?, I sat down with Tim Kay from JLL to unpack what’s really happening in the workplace and real estate market—both here in Detroit and nationally. What we found isn’t workplace chaos… it’s something more nuanced. Key takeaways from the conversation: Stability is the new baseline After years of volatility, the market is leveling out. Flat—but steady. Less space, better experience Companies are reducing square footage but doubling down on quality, design, and amenity-driven environments. Hybrid is settling into reality The 4-days-in, 1-day-remote model is becoming the norm—and it’s reshaping how offices are designed. The flight to quality is real Class A, walkable, experience-rich environments are winning. Everything else is being forced to adapt… or rethink its future entirely. The office still matters Collaboration, culture, mentorship—being together has measurable value. That debate is largely over. This episode is a snapshot in time—but also a signal of where things are heading. In the next episode, I sit down with Jenner Janus from Pophouse to explore workplace through the lens of brand, experience, and what the future of space could become. I’d love to hear from you ! What are you seeing in your workplace right now? Are you downsizing, upgrading, or rethinking entirely? Drop your thoughts below or message me directly at catalloscott@gmail.com—these insights help shape future episodes. And if you’re enjoying the series, share it with someone in your network who’s navigating these same questions. #WorkplaceStrategy #FutureOfWork #RealEstate #Architecture #HybridWork #DetroitBusiness #OfficeDesign #Leadership

The State of the Office 2026 – From Return to Reinvention

The Office Comeback Story Is Over . . Now Comes Reinvention. In the latest episode of Where Do We Go From Here?, I relaunch my Workplace Design Series for 2026 with a bold premise: The question is no longer “When will employees return?” It’s “Why should they?” From 2024–2025, we lived through the “return-to-office” era. Hybrid became the default. Mandates rose. Fatigue followed. Utilization patterns exposed hard truths. Some firms doubled down on presence. Others downsized, redistributed, or reinvested in culture-driven spaces. Now in 2026, we’ve entered a new phase: reinvention. In this episode — “The State of the Office 2026: From Return to Reinvention” — I explore: * What the hybrid realignment phase actually taught us * Why presence ? productivity * How AI-driven analytics are transforming portfolio strategy * The shift from cost-per-square-foot to what I call impact-per-square-foot * Why purpose-based design is becoming the competitive differentiator By the end of the episode, I share my 2026 predictions for the workplace market — including divergence across industries, adaptive reuse trends, and why firms that treat the office as an ecosystem (not overhead) may find themselves ahead of the curve. If you’re an executive, portfolio manager, developer, architect, interior designer, or workplace strategist — this conversation is for you. Listen now to Episode 1 of the 2026 Workplace Design Series. And stay tuned — the next two episodes feature industry leaders from real estate and interior design sharing their forecasts for what’s ahead. #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceStrategy #OfficeDesign #Architecture #HybridWork #Leadership #CommercialRealEstate #Innovation

2026 Episode and Series Preview

🎙️ Where Do We Go From Here? w/ Scott Catallo -- 2026 Preview: I just released a short teaser video outlining what’s coming next for “Where Do We Go From Here? with Scott Catallo” — and I’m incredibly excited about the conversations ahead. This year, the show will explore some of the most pressing questions shaping how we live, work, and understand the world: 🔹 The Workplace Series (2026 Update) A fresh three-part look at the state of the corporate office, workplace design, and the real estate market — how we’re working now, and what the future of work may actually look like. 🔹 A New Four-Part Series on “Truth” Not political truth. Not slogans. But the psychology of belief — why we believe what we believe, how identity and emotion override reason, how repetition manufactures reality — framed through one of my favorite philosophical metaphors: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. 🔹 New Interviews Conversations with AI industry leaders and design thought leaders exploring technology, space, identity, and human experience. 🔹 And something new… VIDEO Select interview and research episodes will now be released in video form — expanding the show into a new medium and a new way to engage. If you’re interested in the future of work, design, AI, psychology, and the deeper questions behind human behavior, 2026 is going to be a powerful year for this podcast. 🎧 Follow, subscribe, and watch on all your favorite podcast platforms — and as always, I’d love to hear from you: E-mail catalloscott@gmail.com X @ScottCatallo Instagram wheredowegofromherepod #Podcast #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceDesign #AI #Psychology #Leadership #Philosophy #DesignThinking #WhereDoWeGoFromHere

The Architect, The Interface and The Human Connection an Interview with Nick Cawthon

How do architects, designers and digital creators all speak the same language of human experience? In this episode I sit down with Nick Cawthon, principal at Gauge.io, to explore the intersection between architecture, user experience design and the evolving relationship between people, process and technology. Nick shares insights from his journey - from hand-drawn drafts to AI-driven design - and reflects on how both architects and virtual creators are redefining creativity in a digital-first world. Together, Nick and I unpack how human centered thinking connects physical space and digital interface, why documenting your process matters more than perfection, and how the next generation of designers can thrive in an era of generative tools. In this episode you will learn: * Why architecture and UX share the same DNA of human-centered design * How post-occupancy analysis and UX research both measure and real impact * What architects can learn from virtual creators about building authentic communities * How AI and generative tools are reshaping creativity - and why that's good news for young designers Nick and I also reflect on the timeless value of sketching, the art of slowing down in a fast-paced digital culture, and the simple act of staying curious as our professions evolve. #architecture #UXdesign #AIandDesign #Designthinking #HumanCenteredDesign #FutireOf Design #Podcast Subscribe, share and join the conversation: Where do we go from here? catalloscott@gmail.com