Fortunately, the idea that an office is merely a functional space for getting through the daily workload has long since been outdated. Experience with different office models, as well as scientific studies, show that, in addition to being functional, the ideal office also contributes to staff wellbeing and thereby significantly boosts work efficiency. Here you can find out what defines the offices of the future.
Even the best-equipped office is of little use if it has poor lighting and temperature conditions, if its grey tones create a depressing working atmosphere, or if employees – who should really be working as a creative team – are scattered along the corridor in uninspiring individual offices. COLLECTION Business Centre specialises in designing the offices of the future, combining innovative technology with appealing design and bespoke services. Below are seven effective suggestions for an office that not only boosts efficiency but also enhances the important factor of well-being within your team.
1. Light for bright minds
Flashes of inspiration need light. Well-thought-out lighting is an essential foundation in the offices of the future. Sun-drenched rooms inspire. They have been proven to have a positive effect on your staff’s mood, boost energy levels, motivate and create a vibrant setting for ideas. Smart technologies allow the amount of light entering modern offices to be controlled according to need. Furthermore, a well-thought-out arrangement of desks and computer monitors ensures that workstations are created which are protected from the sun’s glare at all times of the day.
2. Warmth for well-being
It’s hard to work well when there are draughts and your feet are cold. Inappropriate room temperatures and poorly adjusted air-conditioning systems can even put your staff’s health at risk. Modern offices are characterised by smart heating technologies that can be tailored both to the prevailing outdoor temperature and to the specific needs of your staff.
They also frequently incorporate the sustainable use of renewable energy. The indoor climate also includes intelligent ventilation systems that ensure a constant supply of fresh air without causing unpleasant draughts. Green plants, too, not only provide a naturally refreshing aesthetic but also make a valuable contribution to a working environment that is, in the truest sense of the word, healthy.
3. For managers and co-workers
There is no single office layout that suits every employee and every task. Sometimes a prestigious executive office is required. Sometimes a well-equipped team office is needed for joint brainstorming sessions. Other office layouts are suitable when an employee wishes to retreat in peace to carry out a task that requires a great deal of concentration. In this context, the offices of the future are also characterised by the fact that they cater to individual working needs. This is particularly successful when an office complex comprises business units of varying sizes within the office space. An alternative is to have rooms where an intelligent layout allows for different seating or table configurations.
4. Technology for meetings and presentations
Good work is often achieved by engaging several senses. The visual and auditory components are particularly important in this context. Consequently, offices of the future are equipped with comprehensive multimedia facilities. This extends beyond the various channels of communication such as computers, telephones and fax machines. Professional presentation and conference technology is also a contemporary and indispensable factor for business success in the modern workplace. This includes projectors and the technology required for video conferencing, which may take place on a global scale. However, there should still be a place for the classic flipchart in a state-of-the-art office. Individually adjustable lighting and sound systems also add considerable value to a future-oriented office.
5. Pure networking
Anyone who can network with staff, media professionals, investors and business partners – as well as, of course, their customers – across the globe stands to benefit greatly from the ongoing globalisation of business. High-quality equipment in the fields of information technology and telecommunications is therefore essential for an office with, quite literally, far-reaching prospects. Examples include, in addition to the aforementioned video conferencing facility, a high-performance, impressively fast internet connection, the use of modern communication tools such as Skype, versatile mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets for staff working in the field or on business trips, and the use of innovative cloud services, where multiple staff members can access stored data simultaneously.
6. A stimulating atmosphere
An office is a place where an employee spends a large part of their day. Spaces for relaxation, retreat and respite are therefore just as important as a high standard of comfort in the toilet and kitchen facilities. Offices of the future harmoniously integrate these basics – which are vital for well-being – into the office’s functionality, whilst also prioritising an attractive aesthetic that leaves a lasting positive impression on business visitors. Examples of design options in this context include social spaces such as a seating area or a kitchenette. An indoor fountain or a water dispenser are also small gestures that show an employer cares about the wellbeing of their team.
7. Tailor-made services
Not every company, due to its size and structure, can have departments such as a secretarial office or a mailroom. For these firms, office specialists such as the COLLECTION Business Centre are ideal. Clients can book bespoke services here. For a virtual office, this might involve providing a postal address combined with a professional service covering the receipt, temporary storage and forwarding of post. Other firms, meanwhile, may require a premium telephone service during meetings or when working on busy projects. To ensure successful collaboration, actual requirements are discussed in detail with tenants in advance.
As experienced specialists in the offices of the future, we know that it is not always possible for companies to offer their staff state-of-the-art office spaces for focused and creative work. With individual offices and services, the COLLECTION Business Centre supports these companies with a high level of professionalism and bespoke solutions.
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