The pandemic changed the way of working in Spain and promoted teleworking. But while there are jobs that can be done remotely, many workers have had to return to the office. And some even prefer it. Of course, taking into account the time that is invested in transfers – people lose the equivalent of a full week of work a year in going from home to work – companies are looking for ways to make the journey worthwhile. It is essential that spaces, using technology, enhance their well-being and productivity. That is the office of the future.
According to a report by Steelcase, which offers a comprehensive space consulting service and solutions for companies, 55% of workers, worldwide, want to work in the office as long as the spaces make them feel comfortable and motivated. “It is important that your experience is smooth and enjoyable. It is essential that the work space enhances their well-being in order to be more efficient and productive”, they explain. To do this, they ensure that it is necessary to create open and shared areas where collaboration between workers is encouraged. One solution is multimodal spaces with integrated technology where the digital and the physical merge. “User-friendly technology creates an equitable experience for remote participants,” they note.
Steelcase works with Microsoft, Zoom, Logitech and Crestron to create prototypes
The office of the future is going to be flexible with hybrid possibilities. Steelcase works with technology leaders like Microsoft, Zoom, Logitech and Crestron to prototype, replicate and future develop. Jared Spataro, corporate vice president of modern work at Microsoft, comments that “technology is essential to bridge the gap between the physical and the digital. New technologies like cameras, digital whiteboards and virtual meeting rooms will give everyone a voice and a seat at the table.” Sudeep Trivedi, director of alliances and merchandising at Logitech, points out that “we have made great strides to improve the way people connect, such as using artificial intelligence to provide a magnified view of the speakers while presenting a view of the entire room, with a single connection for cables and offering professional quality audio”.
Nicolás Manrique, co-CEO of the proptech Psquared, indicates that “talent prefers to work in emotional, functional and collaborative spaces”. He believes that it is about having spaces that invite the new generations to want to stay and live a sensory and unique experience in their workplace. “Talent shows a favorable reaction to innovation, design and good company practices”, he points out.
Talent prefers functional, emotional and collaborative zones, according to Psquared
In addition to the offices of the future, a new concept of work is making its way: asynchronous work or teamwork in a time-deferred manner. That is, at different times of the day. Each professional works different hours. The advantages are productivity and motivation. But one of the keys, according to Grupo SPEC, is that the company and, therefore, the employees, have the necessary technological tools to carry it out. This would be the case of effective communication platforms, as well as time control platforms that are in line with this new modality and allow effective management of it.
Two concepts on the rise
Coworking. After the pandemic, the boom in the coworking sector continues, which experienced a growth of 39% last year, according to the report The State of Coworking in Spain 2021-2022. Flexibility, freedom of management, comprehensive service, expansion of contacts, increased profitability, comfort and customizable spaces are the main benefits of coworking spaces. “The current context is quite changing and the requirements of companies are constantly evolving. In addition to that, offering a personalized service requires a close understanding of those needs and concerns in order to adapt the offer to the maximum” highlights Marta Gràcia, CEO of Cloudworks.
hoffice. The study The New Habitat 23-24, carried out by APE Grupo and Futurea –with the collaboration of World Design Capital Valencia 2022, Casa Decor and the CDICV–, maintains that the coronavirus has influenced the design of the different spaces we inhabit, and highlights flexibility as one of the most important values to take into account for the future of offices. It refers to the so-called hoffice, which combines the office with a place to live, creating spaces that favor family reconciliation and promote health, with much more aesthetic chairs or monitor risers to meet the needs of the home and office.
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