top of page

From Empty Offices to Opportunity: How Data-Driven Design Can Transform Surplus Spaces in the Philippines

  • charisse35
  • Feb 5
  • 3 min read

Updated: Aug 4


Nature at the Workplace, Workplace Strategy, Architecture, Interior Design, Smart and Sustainable workspaces
Measuring to outline a space in an unfinished office for design planning.

The Philippine real estate market is at a turning point. With office vacancy rates projected to hit 22% by 2025, the question isn’t just how to fill these spaces—it’s how to make them relevant again.

Traditional leasing strategies alone won’t cut it. The departure of POGOs, shifting workplace trends, and the rise of hybrid work models have fundamentally changed how businesses use office spaces.


The Reality: High Vacancy, Low Demand—But a Huge Opportunity

Metro Manila is experiencing a record-high office vacancy rate, with hundreds of thousands of square meters left unoccupied. According to Colliers , office take-up in 2024 struggled to keep pace with supply, pushing vacancy rates to 20.5% by year-end.

While some recovery is expected in 2025, many offices will remain underutilised—not just because of POGO departures but also because companies are downsizing and prioritising flexibility over traditional office footprints.

This presents a new challenge—but also a massive opportunity.


The Solution: Rethinking Space Through Data-Driven Design

Rather than waiting for tenants to return, we must redesign spaces based on how people use them.

Here’s how data-driven design can turn vacant offices into high-performing, adaptable workplaces:


1. Stop Guessing—Start Measuring

Most office spaces today are outdated, with rows of empty desks, oversized meeting rooms, and unused amenities. The result? Wasted space, high costs, and declining occupancy rates.

By using real-time occupancy studies, movement tracking, and AI-driven analytics, we can answer critical questions:


  • Which areas are rarely used?

  • How much time do employees spend at their desks? 

  • Are meeting rooms sized correctly for actual demand?


These insights allow landlords and businesses to redesign spaces for actual usage, eliminating inefficiencies and maximising every square meter.


Empty office spaces present a unique opportunity for transformation. By applying data-driven design, we can turn these blank canvases into environments that foster productivity, collaboration, and well-being. At id8, we use detailed analytics to understand how spaces function, allowing us to craft designs that are not only visually appealing but also highly functional for the modern workforce.
Space Utilisation Study

2. Adaptive Workspaces: Offices That Flex With Demand

Instead of rigid office layouts, data helps us design dynamic, multi-purpose environments that evolve based on workforce needs:


  • Modular spaces – Offices that transform between focus areas, collaboration zones, and event spaces.

  • Hybrid-ready layouts – Hot-desking models driven by actual occupancy data, ensuring space is optimally allocated. 

  • Amenity-driven hubs – Shared lounges, wellness areas, and hospitality-inspired meeting rooms based on employee preferences.



The key? Design for flexibility, not assumptions.


Empty office spaces present a unique opportunity for transformation. By applying data-driven design, we can turn these blank canvases into environments that foster productivity, collaboration, and well-being. At id8, we use detailed analytics to understand how spaces function, allowing us to craft designs that are not only visually appealing but also highly functional for the modern workforce.
Flexible, Hybrid-ready, Amenity-driven hubs

3. Predictive Design: Future-Proofing Real Estate Investments

Office space demands are evolving rapidly. Rather than designing for today, we need to build for what’s next.

Using predictive analytics, we can future-proof spaces by:


  • Scaling up or down without costly renovations

  • Creating a mix of private, open, and remote-friendly spaces

  • Enhancing employee well-being and retention through smarter design


Instead of reacting to trends, we can anticipate them—ensuring office spaces remain competitive and adaptable.


The Time to Rethink Office Space is Now

The surplus of office space in the Philippines isn’t just a problem—it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redesign workspaces for the future.

At id8 , we help businesses and landlords reimagine their physical spaces—whether through smarter layouts, hybrid-ready solutions, or creating work environments that people actually want to be in.


Let’s turn vacant spaces into thriving hubs of innovation and productivity.

Contact us to explore how data-driven design can unlock new value for your office space.


Sources:


  • “PHL office market to recover in 2025, residential to stay sluggish — Colliers.” BusinessWorld, December 13, 2024.

  • "Metro Manila office vacancy rate to rise to 20.5% by yearend — Colliers." BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation , October 30, 2024.

  • " CBRE: Office space vacancy up, but POGO ban is not top reason." ABS-CBN Corporation News, January 24, 2025.



Comments

bottom of page