There was a time when the success of a CAT A+ office could be put purely down to convenience.
Pre-fitted, furnished and ready to go, these ready-to-go spaces offered a straightforward solution for tenants, allowing them to arrive, plug in and get to work, all with minimal upfront investment.
And they were great for landlords too, opening a path to faster occupancy and reduced voids by removing friction for lessees and making their workspaces instantly more attractive to a wide market.
But workplace expectations have changed over the past few years, and the role of CAT A+ has evolved alongside them.
Now, tenants aren’t just looking for a ready-made office they can move into with ease; they’re searching for environments that feel thoughtful, flexible and inspiring from day one - spaces that support hybrid work, reflect modern workplace cultures and deliver the kind of day-to-day experience that employees genuinely want to spend time in.
So, for landlords who want to stay ahead of the curve, what does this next generation of plug-and-play office look like?
We asked our expert team for their take…
Plug-and-Play, elevated at Design Tonic X 34 Boar Lane
Welcome to CAT A+ 2.0
Here at Design Tonic, we don’t see the next generation of CAT A+ as being about adding more - we think it’s about designing smarter.
For us, it’s about creating out-of-this-world spaces that feel primed and ready to perform from the off; workplaces that balance flexibility and identity, neutrality and personality and immediate usability with long-term value.
Because, while CAT A+ still needs to appeal to a wide range of potential tenants, businesses now are looking for more than ever before in terms of quality, experience and sustainability.
And it’s the spaces that deliver on these fronts that will be the ones which succeed in this new era.
The best plug-and-play offices going forwards won’t feel generic, or over-designed.
They’ll feel considered, layered and intuitive - able to adapt to a wide variety of needs and to flex as businesses come, go and grow.
What does that look like in practice? Here are the key shifts we see shaping CAT A+ 2.0.
1. Experience-led Plug-and-Play
One of the biggest shifts for CAT A+ is the move from focusing mainly on functionality to the incorporation of experience-led design too.
What people want from their CAT A+ offices now is an environment that people actively enjoy travelling to and working in, from the moment they walk through the door to the moment they leave.
What does that mean in design terms?
It calls for a feel of exceptional flow and ease, for versatility in terms of the layout so that there’s a perfect place for every task, for comfort that’s baked in at every level - through biophilic design, through material choices, through furniture, fittings and tech.
It calls for arrival spaces that set the right tone, for hubs that nurture collaboration and connection and for breakout areas that deliver for everyone.
And it calls for careful, conscious thought given to the emotional aspects of a design too, with everything from colours to textures chosen for their subtle, sensory benefits.
No matter how neutral your CAT A+ space is, these experiential layers are what will make your space feel welcoming, energising and ready to go for modern working habits - creating a space that works for all but, more importantly, a space that all would choose.
Discover why your office needs Experience Strategy here
2. Design Neutrality (but elevated)
Of course, CAT A+ still needs to appeal to a broad range of occupiers, and that calls for an element of neutrality.
But neutral never needs to mean boring, or at least not as far as the Design Tonic team are concerned!
We see the next generation of CAT A+ design as being all about creating a refined, high-quality backdrop that tenants can easily make their own, without the space ever feeling flat or anonymous.
For us, that means building thoughtful, considered elements throughout every touchpoint of a design, covering everything from layering tonal palettes with texture and depth and introducing warm, architectural lighting to using premium finishes that elevate the look and feel without overpowering it.
These are the expert touches that take a plug-and-play space to a whole new level - making sure it feels complete from day one, but with plenty of potential for future branding for your tenants.
Circular thinking at Design Tonic X The Common, 34 Boar Lane
3. Sustainable, Circular Thinking
Sustainability is as fundamental to a CAT A+ space now as the fittings, and that means spaces need to be designed to evolve, not to be replaced.
In our designs, eco-conscious thinking like this shows up in everything from the modular furniture systems we incorporate (and the sustainable furniture suppliers we work with) to the responsibly sourced finishes and materials we choose, each one selected for the durability as well as their style.
It’s also about embracing circular thinking; retaining and repurposing existing elements wherever possible - something we’ve done for a number of recent projects to minimise waste and align with our clients’ sustainable practices.
And best of all, design decisions like these don’t just support ESG goals, though that’s clearly crucial, they also help to futureproof a space, reducing the need for costly and carbon-heavy refits down the line.
Statement Greenery at Design Tonic X No.1 St Michael's
4. Wellness-First by Design
Workplace wellbeing is a must for every space now but in the best schemes?
It’s never added on, it’s embedded right from the outset.
This means layouts that balance collaboration with quiet focus, natural light that’s fully optimised and acoustic treatments that support concentration without making any zone feel closed off.
A perennial Design Tonic favourite, thoughtful planting plays a huge role, bringing softness, movement and a sense of grounded calm into the workspace, whether it’s greenery that makes a statement, integrated planters that help define zones or smaller touches that bring life to shelving, seating and desk areas.
Add carefully considered lighting temperatures, tactile materials, moments of visual relief and spaces that allow people to step away and reset, and you start to create a thoughtful, sensory-focused workplace that actively supports staff wellbeing and feels good to be in - something tenants and their teams will notice immediately.
5. Smart, Responsive Workspaces
And last but not least in our list, technology is playing an increasingly intelligent role in shaping the future of CAT A+ as AI-driven systems come into their own - responsive, predictive and designed to evolve.
Rather than just automating lighting or temperature, these systems can learn from patterns of use, adapting in real time to optimise everything from energy consumption to comfort levels across the workspace - think lighting that adjusts based on occupancy and daylight levels, climate systems that respond to how different zones are being used throughout the day and spaces that can flex automatically to support peaks of activity and quieter periods as they happen.
It’s brilliant for tenants, because it delivers a smoother, more intuitive experience as their workplace adapts around them without constant adjustment.
It’s brilliant for landlords too, creating a more efficient, future-ready asset that’s designed to support both stronger EPC performance and more intelligent building management.
And crucially, it can all happen without disrupting the aesthetic of the space, so your office can perform seamlessly behind the scenes - and deliver that performance combined with out-of-this-world style.
CAT A+ 2:0 in action at Design Tonic X Sovereign House
Designing CAT A+ 2.0 Spaces…
The most successful future-facing CAT A+ schemes are the ones that are designed not just for immediate appeal, but for long-term performance - spaces that are flexible enough to adapt as tenants evolve, considered enough to feel complete from day one and intelligent enough to support both operational efficiency and user experience.
It’s about striking a balance between neutrality and identity, delivering a high-quality backdrop that feels distinctive without limiting your appeal for future occupiers.
It’s about building in adaptability, through modular layouts, multi-use zones and furniture that can flex as needs change, all of which reduces the likelihood of costly and disruptive refits down the line.
And it’s about embedding the elements that matter most now; sustainability, wellbeing and smart technology - in a way that feels seamless rather than layered on.
When CAT A+ is approached this way, it’s a strategic asset, one that attracts tenants more quickly, supports stronger rental value, enhances long-term building performance and stands out in an increasingly competitive market.
And that’s what CAT A+ 2.0 is really about.
