What is an office?
There is perhaps not a clear definition of an office anymore, despite, it is easy to imagine a place where people can get their work tasks done, where they can be productive and where they can get inspired and interact with colleagues. In this part of our guide, a selection of office trends are gathered to give examples of what an office is today.
An office today
An office today can very well be a place with separate workspaces for every employee, but as hybrid working models are increasingly common, landscapes and creative spaces are more often being introduced. The office is in some cases becoming the place for inspiration and collaboration, which is why cafés or spaces with different ambient and functional characteristics are created in the office area. With that, an office can occationally be seen as completely uncoupled to doing actual work, the office is then used as a social arena and creative space, far more than a place with silence and great connectivity.
The office is here to stay
Despite the increasing opportunities to work remotely, the office is still believed to survive in one way or another. This because the success of a business in a knowledge-based economy is dependent on face-to-face interaction. Without an office the employees can be described as individuals loosely connected by a company name.
But again, all employees are not believed to willingly attend to any type of office unless it can offer an indoor environment that is safe and comfortable, and that encourages them to be at their best. This is where the indoor climate plays a significant role.
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The location of an office
Offices that require long-time commuting is to some extent expected to be disregarded in favour of a better work-life balance. The traditional business district is therefore believed to become more varied, increasingly mixed with apartments, gym, wining and dining. The business district is expected to turn into a vibrant zone of everyday life, sometimes called a 20-minute neighbourhood.
At the same time, there is an argument for why a number of offices may be popping-up in the suburbs. It is closer and more convenient for the employees living outside the city and allows for that improved work-life balance many are loning for. In this case, the inner-city office can be thought of as a brand statement used to attract and retain talents and customers, to expose products and reflect company values.