From Desks to Destinations: How Art Is Changing Workplaces
Episode description
What if art could do more than just decorate an office - what if it could boost productivity, strengthen culture, and make people want to come to work?
In this episode of Talking Property with CBRE, we explore the growing role of art as a strategic tool in modern workplaces. With organisations under pressure to “earn the commute,” art is emerging as a powerful way to transform offices into engaging, human-centred destinations.
Host Kathryn House is joined by Shehan Wijayawardana from Mallesons, Emilya Colliver from Art Pharmacy, and CBRE’s Jenny Liu to unpack how thoughtfully curated art collections are influencing everything from employee wellbeing and creativity to client experience and brand identity.
Drawing on real-world insights from Mallesons’ Sydney office transformation, the conversation reveals how art can:
- Enhance workplace culture and storytelling
- Create more memorable and engaging client experiences
- Support talent attraction and retention in a competitive market
The key takeaway? Art is no longer a finishing touch. It’s becoming a core part of how organisations design spaces that perform.