The Evolution of Office Building Research

Office building development has had a relatively short history. However, since the 1880s, we have seen tremendous growth in the number and size of office buildings and a significant change in the location of these buildings. Early research in this area centered on technological changes and innovation in construction. As the market matured, researchers began to explore other areas of interest. This article provides a brief history of office building development in the United States. It then identifies, categorizes, and appraises the major studies in this area. It concludes with discussion of topics for future research.