The way we work has changed dramatically as a result of the corona pandemic. The ongoing digitization of many work processes and the switch between home office and office represent significant changes. The office must therefore also adapt to these new circumstances. Modern office concepts for reorganization and more efficient use are emerging more and more.
Key facts
- Modern office concepts are a must for successful implementation of hybrid work.
- The room concept must reflect cultural & organizational changes. The office becomes a hub of social interaction & productivity.
- There are various modern office concepts, such as open offices, activity-based working (ABW) or neighborhoods.
Redefining the office
Hybrid work It has drastically changed the way we work. But what does the office of the future look like? Modern office concepts are based on the model of hybrid working and not only try to take advantage of the new working model, but also strategically bring employees back into the office.
The office will not be superfluous, but it will take on a new quality: it will become a place of conscious interaction and communication. A space for cultural-making gatherings, in which culture is lived.
This requires a completely new room concept: workplaces must be intelligently coordinated and linked. They should promote face-to-face communication and enable flexible coming and going. The office will be a place for qualitative and cultural-creating meetings.
Hybrid work models in the context of new office concepts
The office therefore plays an overriding role. Together with divided work areas, efficient use of space and a modern room concept, the hybrid model creates a triad:
Desk sharing
Desk sharing has become an integral part of hybrid work. With this concept, employees no longer have a fixed workplace in the office; in theory, all desks in the office are available to the workforce. Due to the presence and absence of different colleagues, several employees share a workplace, which means that less office space is required in practice.
Area optimization
Desk sharing therefore offers the opportunity to Area optimization to operate and implement modern office concepts. That doesn't always have to mean reducing areas. Instead, it gives companies the opportunity to use existing space differently and more efficiently. However, savings in operating costs or room rental can then also be a positive side effect.
New room concept
In order to use the office more efficiently, companies should develop a suitable and modern office concept together with the desk sharing concept and the optimization of space. In doing so, she plays hybrid workplace design a central role. There is usually no universal solution here. Instead, companies must develop a suitable solution based on their goals and spatial conditions.
Modern office concepts: examples of hybrid offices
that hybrid working model breaks up existing structures and makes it possible to redesign offices. The most well-known modern office concepts include:
Open Office
The open office concept opens up the entire office space. In concrete terms, this means that individual offices will be closed and integrated into a freely bookable space instead. This is not only intended to break down hierarchies, but also to promote social interaction across departments.
This break can of course result in an unusual working atmosphere, which is unusual for many, especially at the beginning. It is therefore important to always integrate retreat areas and separate meeting rooms into the hybrid office concept. Clear rules for hybrid work should also be introduced and tested.
Neighborhoods
So-called neighborhoods are a widespread office concept. In contrast to the open office concept, not all workstations are freely available to all employees, but zones or work areas are assigned to fixed teams.
In addition to these team-specific areas, there are project workstations that are also available for other teams. These can log in and thus enable synergy effects between other teams. This also promotes teamwork across multiple departments.
The advantage of this office concept: Employees have to reorient themselves every time they are in the office. They have a defined area in the company where the entire team resides. They still have a physical anchor and retreat in the office and can also seek social contact with others.
Activity-based Working (ABW)
The concept of activity-based working (ABW) is based on the idea that employees perform different tasks and therefore also need different work environments. The office is divided into various work areas, each of which is tailored to a specific job. These include, for example, rest areas for concentrated work, meeting rooms for hybrid meetings the lounge areas for informal conversations.
Employees can select the appropriate work area for their job as required. This concept allows employees to work more flexibly and to be in an environment that is tailored to their individual needs.
Think beyond the room concept: Include technology & culture
In order for the changing model to work, other supporting factors should be included in addition to the modern office concept:
technique
The use of modern technology also plays an important role in office concepts. To ensure that the available workplaces are well equipped, the necessary equipment must be purchased. Here, certain zones can be equipped with, for example, several screens. However, in order for hybrid working to really work, suitable software should also be purchased for managing and booking workstations, depending on the office concept.
One Desk sharing software helps companies and employees alike to organize themselves in the office and firmly anchor the hybrid working model.
culture
Corporate culture also plays an important role in the company, but also in the implementation of modern office concepts. If the office is regarded as a central location for social interaction and productivity, the culture must also be reflected in the hybrid office. Areas for collaborative work, but also zones for focusing, should be incorporated into the room concept. And there Team events and teambuilding play an overarching role, there must also be space for this in the office.
sustainability
Modern office concepts are increasingly based on sustainability. Companies can reduce their environmental footprint by using recyclable materials, energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy. Promoting sustainable transport, for example through bicycle parking spaces or e-charging stations, is also an important part of modern office concepts. This helps to reduce office costs in the long term.
