Companies are realising that office processes have changed forever. As a result, they are increasingly asking themselves how work organisation and spaces can meet the diverse needs of employees. Robert Thiemann discussed their views on these new challenges with Uli Blum, Marnix Mali, Valeria Segovia and Vaughn Tan.
The key findings:
1. Flexibility is highly beneficial for companies and employees. It makes no sense to call everyone back into the office five days a week.
2. Spaces and their furnishings need to be as diverse as possible to meet the different needs and preferences of their users.
3. Consequently, facilities must not only be planned based on activity, but also take into account the different needs of the users (personality-based design).
4. Spaces are rarely (only) used as planned. Therefore, the possibilities of use should not be restricted too much.
5. From room booking to web conferencing: the necessary technology must be available and functional.
6. With sensors and artificial intelligence, rooms can become learning, self-adapting spaces. Based on user feedback.
7. Users should be involved in design and planning from the outset.
8. Requirements are changing rapidly. Rooms and facilities must therefore be designed to be as flexible as possible.
A detailed summary of the lecture will be available in July in the IBA Forum Newsroom.
Photo: © IBA
