Podcast | Evolving Workforces

From Desks to Destinations: How Art Is Changing Workplaces

Why art is emerging as a powerful driver of office performance, culture and talent

June 11, 2026 32 Minute Listen

A modern reception area features a warm wooden desk with four illuminated, crinkled white sculptures behind it, flanked by lush green potted plants and a patterned rug in the foreground.
A modern reception area features a warm wooden desk with four illuminated, crinkled white sculptures behind it, flanked by lush green potted plants and a patterned rug in the foreground.

From Desks to Destinations: How Art Is Changing Workplaces

June 11, 2026 32 Minute Listen

From Desks to Destinations: How Art Is Changing Workplaces

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. 

Featuring

Shehan Wijayawardana

National Operations Project Manager, Mallesons

Shehan provides project management delivery and support across multiple projects in Mallesons’ Business Services team. With over 10 years of experience in project management, he has a proven track record of delivering high-quality outcomes for various clients and stakeholders in the commercial and retail sectors.  

Shehan’s core competencies include end-to-end project delivery, stakeholder management, risk and change management, construction and property expertise, program management, and communication and negotiation. 

Emilya Colliver

Founder and Director, Art Pharmacy and Sugar Glider Digital

Emilya has more than 20 years' experience embedding art into corporate and public spaces across Australia and internationally. She has delivered major art strategy and placemaking projects for clients including Lendlease, Mirvac, Deloitte, Mallesons, Sanofi, Uber and Transport for NSW. In the past four years she has engaged 335 artists, returned $3.4 million to the creative community and reached more than 2.5 million people. 

Emilya is the author of The Art Project and Making Art Matter, creator of the Conscious Leader Deck, a Board member of the National Art School and Create NSW, and founder of Flourish Women's Networking. 

Her work focuses on the long-term organisational impact of art, building culture, strengthening identity and creating spaces where people genuinely want to be. 

Jenny Liu

Director, Workplace Consulting, CBRE

Jenny is a highly experienced change and engagement specialist with strong communication, interpersonal and networking skills. She has an eye for detail and design, coupled with a strong understanding of the impact spatial design has on human behaviour and engagement. Providing effective change management for clients who are navigating workplace change is Jenny’s passion, and she is known for her ability to build relationships with clients and truly understand their needs. 

Kathryn House

Pacific Communications Director, CBRE

Kathryn joined CBRE in 2007 following a 15-year career in property journalism working for some of Australia's leading newspapers, including the Australian Financial Review and the Sydney Morning Herald. She works closely with CBRE’s CEO and senior executive team to promote the company’s brand, platform and corporate values.


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