What is New Work?
Discovering the future office. Insights on new work.
What will the office of the future look like? What can be done and where? Find comprehensive insights into the topic of new work.
The modern workplace is shifting its focus from personal connections to task-oriented environments. With the implementation of a user-friendly system for booking and managing workstations, desk sharing has become a stress-free experience. This transition allows for more efficient space utilization, creating opportunities for dedicated meeting areas and peaceful retreats.
Adaptability is key as employees now switch between different workstations based on the nature of their tasks. This not only ensures they have a suitable environment for each activity, but adds variety to their workday, fostering internal communication and collaboration. Consequently, the office becomes a space employees can identify with, encouraging them to step out of their home offices and work together, while still offering serene corners for concentrated work.
Achieving a well-balanced office environment requires careful analysis and planning. Questions arise regarding the compatibility of individual and collaborative work with fixed workstations, desk sharing and co-working. Additionally, the integration of quiet zones for focused work, and networking areas for social interaction, need to be considered. Striking the right balance between these elements necessitates thoughtful planning to optimize productivity and satisfaction in the evolving workplace.
Fixed Workstations. Can They Be Eliminated?
The good news is that everything can, but not everything needs to be.
Even if workspaces become task-oriented in the future, there will still be a need for fixed workstations in certain areas.
Fixed workstations serve as crucial anchor points within the office, offering stability and a dedicated space for departments such as reception, secretarial services, accounting and facility management. These areas provide a reliable point of contact for project teams, sales colleagues and other departments, enabling seamless collaboration and communication. While other areas of the office may adopt task-oriented workspaces, these fixed workstations ensure consistency and accessibility for employees in specific roles.
While fixed workstations offer stability, flexibility in workstation arrangements can be beneficial for promoting communication and fostering creativity. Employees who can choose their workspace based on their needs and activities have the opportunity to interact with different colleagues, exchange ideas and exploring new perspectives. This dynamic approach encourages collaboration and can lead to increased innovation within the organization. By embracing flexible workstation changes, companies can create an agile work environment that supports the evolving needs and preferences of their employees.
While certain areas in the office require fixed workstations, adopting a flexible approach to workspace arrangements can enhance communication, collaboration and creativity. Striking a balance between fixed anchor points and task-oriented workspaces allows for a harmonious blend of stability and adaptability, ultimately contributing to a productive and engaging work environment.
Desk Sharing & Co-working
Always together and never alone.
Grey partition walls and a pervasive sense of confinement.
In stark contrast to the oppressive confines of open-plan offices and cramped cubicles, the open space concept emerges as a sanctuary of possibilities. It unveils a diverse tapestry of work zones, each meticulously designed to foster collaboration, and adorned with a generous dose of flexibility. Within this realm, the Smart Office equipment stands as a testament to liberation, enabling the seamless booking of tables and meeting areas, granting individuals the liberating power of choice as they navigate their professional endeavours.
Venturing further into the realm of co-working areas, one encounters a realm dedicated to nurturing meaningful connections and providing fully immersive workstations for small teams and collaborative ventures. Here, the concept of desk sharing takes center stage, an embodiment of sustainability as it harnesses the ebb and flow of employees’ movements. No longer bound by the limitations of physical proximity, individuals find solace in the flexibility of working from a home office while maintaining a sense of unity with their colleagues.
This transformative landscape of diverse work zones, and the embrace of desk sharing, revolutionizes the traditional notions of office spaces, breathing life into a harmonious ecosystem where flexibility, collaboration and sustainable practices converge.
Agile Spaces
Flexible and adaptable.
Unleash workplace freedom and creativity. Step into a new era of work flexibility and empowerment with an agile workplace that liberates employees to shape their own productive journey.
Incorporating flexibility into the work environment, an agile workplace replaces the conventional office with a variety of versatile shared spaces, granting employees the freedom to choose where and when they work. The primary objective of this agile approach is to utilize flexible office design, empowering employees with autonomy over their workspace selection. Consequently, these adaptable spaces become instrumental in fostering a creative exchange of ideas, with various tools such as flipcharts, pinboards and whiteboards readily available in physical or digital formats. These resources facilitate brainstorming sessions, visual presentations and collaborative discussions. The flexible nature of these areas enables easy reconfiguration and separation to cater to the unique needs of different teams or projects, ultimately promoting a dynamic and adaptable work environment. Moreover, with the integration of digital options such as interactive whiteboards or virtual collaboration tools, teams seamlessly incorporate technology into their creative processes, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
Dedicated project zones are designed to accommodate larger groups, meetings and training sessions, with a strong focus on fostering collaboration and innovation. The furniture within these spaces is selected to be flexible, mobile and foldable, enabling swift and effortless rearrangements to meet evolving requirements. This adaptability empowers teams to create a customized setup that best suits their collaborative needs, whether it entails arranging chairs in a circle for open discussions or configuring tables for group activities. The versatility of the furniture encourages a dynamic work environment that readily adapts to different work styles and preferences.
While agile spaces and digital collaboration tools present a modern approach to idea generation and collaboration, the traditional conference room continues to hold its significance. Serving as the designated space for formal meetings, team presentations and client interactions, the conference room offers a professional setting equipped with the necessary tools and privacy to conduct focused discussions or deliver formal presentations. Its availability for booking ensures teams always have access to a dedicated space whenever they require a more formal or private environment. Striking a balance between the modernity of agile spaces and the reliability of the conference room enables organizations to cater to a wide range of collaborative needs and preferences.
Privacy In The Box
Retro makes a modern comeback.
Compact, functional and distinct. Catchword telephone boxes offer a practical and personalized communication experience.
Let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Think about the iconic yellow telephone box. Remember the sturdy metal cable on the receiver, the satisfying clink of inserting coins, the privacy and shelter from the rain? It’s an enchanting retro experience.
Here’s the exciting part. The best of that era is now available again, presented in an exquisite blend of modern aesthetics and practicality. These contemporary versions cater to uninterrupted business calls while providing additional storage space for laptops. They are perfect for those who prefer to stand, keep conversations brief and focus on the essentials.
For those seeking extra comfort or room, the ideal choice lies in the “Cubes” or “Thinktanks.” These cozy spaces accommodate two to six individuals, enabling telephone or video conferencing. Picture them as ski gondolas, offering a comfortable seating experience with shielded acoustics. They provide a clear view into the office while maintaining privacy. These cubes can be swiftly assembled, with some even being portable, and they come fully equipped with ventilation, filters, power and USB connections, lighting and coat hooks. Enjoy complete comfort in the smallest of spaces.
Quiet Zones
Please do not disturb.
For certain tasks, absolute tranquility is necessary as one needs to concentrate, and the deadline may be looming.
For certain tasks, achieving absolute tranquility is imperative, especially when concentration is required, and deadlines are pressing. In such situations, the significance of dedicated retreat areas, known as the quiet zones, becomes evident. These secluded spaces are strategically positioned, slightly away from the main activity hub, offering a serene environment that is visually and acoustically shielded. Within these areas, fully-equipped individual workstations are provided, designed specifically to facilitate focused and uninterrupted work.
In the quiet zones, the ambiance is carefully curated to minimize distractions. Here, phone calls, video calls and conversations are strictly prohibited. Occupants of these zones seek solace and a reprieve from external disturbances, enabling them to fully immerse themselves in their tasks. These purpose-built spaces foster an atmosphere of productivity and deep concentration, providing individuals with the ideal setting to meet their deadlines and accomplish their work with utmost precision and efficiency.
Networking Zones
Coffee bar and lounge area are inviting.
A coffee bar with a cozy counter and bar stools is the ideal place for casual, informal encounters and networking with colleagues.
At small bistro tables you can take a short snack break or give your colleague a quick update over a cup of tea. This is also where the best ideas are developed randomly and quite incidentally.
A cozy lounge area offers retreats for a quiet, leisurely lunch break or casual exchanges in comfortable surroundings with colleagues. In this relaxed environment, even serious conversations can be conducted in a calm tone.
Even the cafeteria can be equipped with small meeting niches. Think back to the old-fashioned diner. Spontaneous meetings can be held there outside of peak hours. This increases the cost-effectiveness of the space.
You Like To Move It?
Always on the move.
The classic foosball table in the coffee kitchen is enough for a little variety in between, but not to stay active permanently.
Enter a new era of workplace innovation with movable office furniture, where adaptability meets wellbeing. Discover a world beyond traditional setups as specialized areas within the office come alive, offering integrated fitness elements and a diverse range of cutting-edge office furniture options. From height-adjustable stand-sit tables, equipped with Smart Office technology to ergonomic swivel chairs featuring advanced 3D mechanics, these movable pieces empower you to customize your workspace, and seamlessly incorporate movement into your daily routine.
Imagine the freedom to effortlessly transition between sitting and standing positions, promoting a healthier and more dynamic work style. With height-adjustable stand-sit tables, you have the power to personalize your workstation, optimizing comfort and productivity. Enhance your ergonomic setup with ergonomic swivel chairs that adapt to your body’s movements, providing unparalleled support and reducing the risk of discomfort or strain.
Take your well-being to the next level with the integration of standing mats featuring topographic structures. Engage your muscles and find balance as you navigate your tasks, promoting improved blood circulation and invigorating energy throughout the day. Embrace the flexibility and versatility of movable office furniture, transforming your workspace into a dynamic environment that caters to your physical and mental well-being, ultimately enhancing your overall performance and satisfaction.
The Traditional Office Endures
As a hub for employee connection and collaboration.
In a rapidly evolving work landscape, the office continues to serve as a dynamic space that fosters employee interaction and ignites collective creativity.
In a rapidly evolving work landscape, the traditional office continues to serve as a dynamic space that fosters employee interaction and ignites collective creativity.
It is imperative for the office to be enticing environment; one that goes beyond the confines of a home office. It should act as a vibrant hub that sparks collaboration, encourages face-to-face interactions, and nurtures a strong sense of community among employees. This physical space becomes the heartbeat of an organization, where a shared purpose and productivity flourish.
Looking ahead, businesses need to re-imagine the office layout, recognizing that a significant portion (approximately 65-70%) of workstations may no longer require full-fledged computer setups. This realization presents an opportunity for optimizing space utilization, reducing overhead costs and embracing flexible work arrangements.
We firmly believe the office holds immense value, offering a unique environment, which cannot be replicated remotely. It is a place where ideas blossom, relationships deepen and innovation thrives. Together, let us embark on a transformative journey towards shaping the workplace of the future.
Our dedicated team is here to provide comprehensive guidance on all the facets of New Work.