The world of work is constantly changing, and the office as a central workplace is facing major changes. In times of increasing digitalisation and flexibility, hybrid working is becoming more and more important. In this blog article, we take a detailed look at the office of the future, with a special focus on hybrid working.
Key facts
- The office of the future is hybrid! Due to the alternating model, companies need to rethink the office and adapt it to the new requirements. For example, the office must provide zones for team collaboration as well as places for employees to retreat in order to improve team cohesion & guarantee a productive working atmosphere.
- For hybrid working to work, companies also need to invest in new technologies.
What will the office of the future look like?
The office of the future will be characterized by flexible working hours and locations. Employees will have the option to choose between the office, home office, and other flexible work locations. This offers a better work-life balance and allows employees to adapt their working hours to their personal needs. The office of the future will function as a place where employees come together to exchange ideas, collaborate, and develop creative solutions.
However, physical presence in the office will no longer be mandatory, as digital communication and technologies will enable seamless collaboration across different locations.
The requirements for the office of the future
The office of the future must meet the needs of a changing working world. It must offer space for both concentrated work and collaborative work. Flexibility, ergonomics and technology play a crucial role in designing the working environment.
- Flexibility: The office of the future should offer various workplace options to meet the individual needs of hybrid teams. These include desks, standing workstations, quiet zones and meeting rooms.
- Ergonomics: Workplace ergonomics are becoming increasingly important to promote the health and well-being of employees. Adjustable tables and chairs, ergonomic keyboards and monitors are just a few examples of ergonomics in the office of the future.
- Technology: The integration of modern technologies is essential. This includes, for example, wireless internet, modern communication tools, intelligent lighting systems and IoT devices that enable seamless interaction and collaboration.
- Efficiency: In order to use the space of the hybrid office more efficiently, it makes sense to understand employee behavior and then design the office to be more efficient in terms of collaboration and focused work.
The Architecture of the Office of the Future
Hybrid working is changing the use and meaning of office space. The hybrid office is characterized by new architecture, interior design and technology:
- Open work areas: Open floor plans and flexible workstations encourage collaboration and the exchange of information between employees. The offices will be divided into zones that are suitable for different working styles such as concentrated work, teamwork and informal meetings.
- Retreat options: Since concentrated work is still important, retreat options will be created in which employees can work undisturbed. These can be separate rooms or partitioned niches with soundproofing.
- Place of collaboration: The office is increasingly becoming a place of social interaction. But also a place of productivity. Because many employees value the office for focused work. Architecturally, the office space must meet these new requirements. Modern office concepts can support this and promote teamwork & collaboration within the company.
- Technology integration: The architecture of the office will be closely linked to technology integration. This is not only reflected architecturally, but also in the use of smart technology. These include project management tools for organization in a hybrid set-up or desk sharing software for managing hybrid office spaces.
Working in the Office of the Future
Working in the office of the future will be strongly characterized by collaboration and networking. The focus is on teamwork and project work, while repetitive tasks are increasingly being taken over by automation. By designing the workplace flexibly, employees can increase their productivity and optimally adapt their work to individual needs. The combination of personal interaction in the office and digital networking will enable employees worldwide to connect with one another and share their knowledge. Virtual meetings and virtual whiteboards will revolutionize the way we work together.
Combining technology and office space
In addition to the physical office, there will also be a "virtual office" in the future. This is because a large part of internal communication, organization and interaction will take place virtually. This is why, in addition to the interior design of offices, the company's technological equipment also plays an important role.
Collaboration tools or project management systems are essential here. This is because they not only allow collaboration to be organized across borders, but also ensure a uniform flow of information. In this way, companies guarantee that all files and information are available to all employees. To ensure that this works smoothly, a short training session or guide should be created when these systems are introduced. Uniform rules for use and maintenance should serve as a framework to improve team cohesion in hybrid companies.
