Technology is going to transform not only businesses, but also the individual’s working environment, in ways that have not been envisioned before. The future will be somewhat hazy, no matter how much information we have to make predictions. However, through this haziness, five features of the future office are already clearly visible.
Smaller work desks
The workstation has decreased from 8 feet by 8 feet to 5 feet by 2 feet on average as a result of rapid technological advancements. As a result, the number of people per square foot has now decreased to 100 from 200 in the 1990s. In the next few years, this density is expected to drop down further to 60 sq.ft per person, as the need to provide every employee with a dedicated desk will get replaced by activity based settings. The need for businesses to reduce their real estate spending, the millennials’ preference for open, informal work environments, and the decrease in the number and size of devices are the primary drivers of this shift. Spaces for a shared economy Employees are completing work outside of the office at convenient locations like cafés, lobbies, airport terminals, and at home due to the rise of telecommuting, remote working, and freelance work. As a result, dedicated office resources will remain idle for a significant portion of their lifetime. Leaders in the industry and planners around the world have realized that increasing productivity and reducing travel time are central to talent retention. As a result, organisations will develop workspace solutions that integrate offices with shared economy spaces including co-working spaces, hotel business centres, and work from home/near home option. The gains from such a move are two-fold: Besides reducing the real estate portfolio footprint by 50%, this will contribute to greater employee satisfaction.
More transport options
Transportation options will revolutionise travel. The plethora of options will include driverless cars, drones and even rockets, besides an increasing range of regular transport options, which include trains, taxis and personalised transport. Customers will be able to choose the mode based on distance, thrill, and cost from all of these options, which will coexist. Vertical, horizontal and lateral means of transport will cross-connect into cities, buildings and workspaces. The foundations of this transportation revolution will be extremely eco-friendly and highly effective means of getting users from A to B. In order to encourage sustainable living, the designs will be in harmony with individual requirements and the natural environment. Well-being solutions
All solutions will be designed with the individual in mind, including workplaces and buildings. Workspaces will have multiple options that encourage individuals to sit, stand and be mobile during the work day. This will be accomplished by providing posture and massage seats, pedal collaborative solutions (pedal tables), and walkable workstations (treadmill workstations). Furniture will be designed as devices that promote health and well-being. Big data and analytics will ensure mass customisation as well as individual-driven well-being solutions.
