Reimagining the Office for the Hybrid Era
Reimagining the Office for the Hybrid Era
The pandemic accelerated remote and hybrid working models almost overnight. Many predicted a permanent shift and the inevitable demise of physical offices. But as we settle into new ways of working, the role of offices is proving more complex and nuanced.
While home and hybrid work arrangements are here to stay, offices retain an integral role in performance and culture. The challenge is in reimagining and redesigning office spaces for a workforce dividing time between locations. This is where the growing trend of shared part time offices presents an optimal solution.
Rethinking When and Why We Gather
In a hybrid setup, being together in-person is a precious commodity. Commutes and fixed schedules in a central HQ waste these moments. Employees crave autonomy yet recognise the inherent value of face-to-face collaboration.
Part time offices allow teams to be selective about when they unite in-person, optimising for interactive sessions that drive innovation, strategy, and bonding. Meeting formats can go beyond formal to facilitate creative exercises, impromptu discussions, and problem-solving.
Workspace as an Experience
Offices were traditionally designed for heads-down work by assigned employees. Part time offices transform space into an experience. Environments buzz with activity from diverse teams. Stylish lounges, cafes, and game zones provide community. People choose to be present.
Designed for Fluid Use
Fixed desks for every employee are fading into history. Part time offices allow fluid switching between spaces like meetings rooms, private offices, phone booths, and coworking desks according to current needs. Every time a team visits, the office feels new.
When unoccupied, space converts for other uses like external networking events, creating additional value. Adaptable spaces sustain interest and engagement.
Optimised Resources and Operations
Traditional offices underutilise resources. Part time offices allow sharing of spaces, facilities, and services between companies to reduce waste. Parking, meeting rooms, equipment, and staff can be leveraged by a larger ecosystem of office users. Shared resources create savings that benefit everyone.
Culture Beyond Your Walls
A HQ office houses a single company culture. Part time multi-user offices fuse an array of users, perspectives, talents into the community. Teams gain insight into other practices and styles. Bonds form between mutual users. A cross-pollination of thinking occurs when cultures converge.
Part time offices could be the future model for how companies utilise physical workspace. As teams take a more flexible and selective approach to in-person work, offices will transform into shared, agile hubs delivering rich experiences. Workplace culture becomes less insular—shared with new connections and fresh possibilities.