The First Istanbul Workplace Conference Took Place!

On 3 November, Diem hosted Istanbul Workplace Conference 2026 at Point Hotel Barbaros. Together with professionals from fields including architecture, human resources, workplace strategy and project management, we explored how working environments affect people and teams. Discussions continued through audience questions, conversations at sponsor stands and ideas developed during the workshop, creating opportunities to share different experiences throughout the day.

What Do Employees Expect from the Office?

In the first session of the day, Dr Elizabeth Nelson discussed how the workplace affects focus, energy and recovery. A lively environment may encourage one employee to exchange ideas, while another may find it difficult to concentrate in the same setting. Nelson’s presentation provided a starting point for considering how these differences can be reflected in office design.

Ester Svetlik Danelova approached the subject from the perspective of teams. The ability of team members to share ideas comfortably, ask questions and work together in a private space when needed was among the key themes of the session. Abdurrahman Uzun presented employee expectations of the office through examples from Zivella’s research. Comfort, acoustics and the ability to personalise the workspace were among the topics directly affecting the everyday workplace experience.

The Value of Coming Together in the Office

Clive Lucking, CEO of Studio Alliance, explored the role of the office in a hybrid working model. New colleagues learning from their teams, different departments getting to know one another and developing ideas together were among the experiences that make coming into the office meaningful. You can discover our previous Studio Alliance meetings here.

In the afternoon, Dr Ayşegül Çoruhlu examined the workplace from the perspective of healthy ageing. She discussed how everyday conditions such as daylight and air quality can be considered when designing healthier working environments.

We Imagined the Worst Possible Office

During the 360° Interactive Workshop, we invited participants to imagine an office that looked impressive but was difficult to work in. A layout where everyone was constantly visible, harsh lighting that remained unchanged throughout the day and green terraces that employees could not actually use were among the examples developed by the groups.

In the second stage, the groups transformed these problems into design proposals. More sheltered focus areas, lighting that could be adjusted according to the task and terraces that could genuinely be used for breaks throughout the day were among their suggestions. The terrace example in particular highlighted the difference between including a space in a project and ensuring that it can truly become part of everyday life.

In the final presentation of the day, Mehmet Sami Kılıç explained how office projects are brought to life through his international project experience. Alongside coordination between design, engineering and construction teams, he discussed how feedback received from employees after an office becomes operational can inform future projects.

The Conversation Continued Beyond the Conference Hall

Our sponsors introduced their products and solutions to attendees at stands throughout the event area. Visiting the stands between sessions provided a valuable opportunity to explore different workplace solutions up close and speak directly with the teams behind them.

At the “What Matters Most at Work?” wall, attendees used colourful stickers to select the three workplace topics that mattered most to them. As the wall filled throughout the day, it became an engaging way to see how widely expectations of the workplace can vary.

See You Again in 2027!

We would like to thank all our attendees who joined us for Istanbul Workplace Conference 2026, our speakers who shared their experience and insights, and all our sponsors and business partners who contributed to the event.

To stay informed about the next conference, follow Istanbul Workplace Conference on LinkedIn and Instagram, and visit the conference website for the latest updates.

We look forward to seeing you again!