Our New Work Series
Originally published as a series on our social media channels – now also on our website.
What will the office of the future look like? And what can best be done where? Here you will find a comprehensive insight into the topic of New Work:
Workplaces are less and less person-related, and more and more task-related. A simple system for booking and managing workstations enables desk sharing without stress and hassle. The space thus freed up provides room for meeting and retreat areas.
Employees switch to different workplaces for different tasks: in addition to providing the right working environment for different activities, this also offers variety and thus supports internal communication. In other words, a plus all along the line.
The office is thus no longer just a fixed point of contact, but becomes a point of identification for employees. It should be a nice place that creates incentives to come out of the home office, motivates to work together and still offers quiet places for concentrated work.
What stays, what goes, what comes and how it all works together – that requires sophisticated analysis and planning. After all, does individual and collaborative working even fit with fixed workstations, desk sharing and coworking? And what do quiet and networking zones have to do with it?
Fixed workplaces – or can we do without them?
The good news – everything can, but at least not everything has to go.
Because if work areas are task-based in the future, there will still be a need for a fixed workstation for certain areas:
Reception, secretariat, accounting, or facility management are some classic examples. They will continue to provide the fixed points in the office, a bit like in a planetary system. They are a fixed point of contact for project teams, sales colleagues and other departments. These employees look for the most suitable place according to their needs and activities. After all, flexible workstation changes are good for communication and in turn promote creativity.
Desk sharing and coworking
always together and never alone?
Gray movable walls and a tiny space? Not here!
The open space concept has nothing in common with open-plan offices and small cubicles; instead, there are different zones for group work with a lot of flexibility. Thanks to Smart Office equipment, there are tables or meeting areas that can be booked flexibly, with free choice of space.
Coworking areas aim to promote exchange and offer full-fledged workstations for small teams and group work. The concept of desk sharing is also effective here, because it can be used sustainably, since not everyone is always present, but may work in a home office.
Agile spaces
Flexible and changeable.
Project zones are provided for larger groups, meetings or training sessions. Flexible, rollable and foldable furniture is used here, allowing for ever-changing arrangements.
Flipcharts, pinboards and whiteboards – much of which is also available purely digitally – are here for the creative exchange of ideas. The areas can be flexibly separated and are always available.
The classic conference room will not be missing in the future – it is still best suited for formal meetings or team sessions and offers space for meetings and presentations for and with customers and can be booked as needed.
Privacy in the Box
Is modern retro again?
Catchword telephone boxes – small, practical, individual!
We remember the old days: yellow box, metal cable on the receiver, regular coin insertion, a bit of privacy and even protection from the rain sometimes – so beautifully retro!
The best of it is also available again today, but in pretty, contemporary and practical! For undisturbed business phone calls and additional storage space for the laptop. The best – those who need to stand, keep it short and focus the conversation on the essentials.
For those who need a little more comfort or space, so-called Cubes or Thinktanks are ideal. Suitable for 2 to 6 people, telephone or video conferencing. A bit like a ski gondola, you sit here quite comfortably – with shielded acoustics – to the inside AND outside – and a clear view into the office. These cubes are quickly assembled, some are even mobile, and the equipment is fully comprehensive: with ventilation and filter, power and USB connection, light and coat hooks. Full comfort in the smallest space!
Quiet Zones
Please do not disturb!
For some activities absolute silence is necessary because you have to concentrate and the deadline may be pressing:
For this purpose, there are special retreat areas – the Quiet Zones. These are located somewhat off the beaten track and offer optically and acoustically shielded, fully equipped individual workstations for focused work.
Phone calls, video calls and conversations are not conducted here – anyone who spends time here does not want to be disturbed.
Networking Zones
Coffee bar and lounge area invite you in!
A coffee bar with a cozy counter and bar stools is the ideal place for casual, informal encounters and networking with colleagues.
At small bistro tables, you can take a short snack break or give your colleague a quick update over a cup of tea. This is also where the best ideas are developed randomly and quite incidentally.
A cozy lounge area offers retreats for a quiet, leisurely lunch break or casual exchanges in comfortable surroundings with colleagues. In this relaxed environment, even serious conversations can be conducted in a calm tone.
Even the cafeteria can be equipped with small meeting niches. Think quietly in the direction of the American Diner. This way, spontaneous meetings can also be held there outside of peak hours. This incidentally also increases the cost-effectiveness of the space.
You like to move it?
Always on the move – automatically and completely incidentally!The classic foosball table in the coffee kitchen is enough for a little variety in between, but not to stay active permanently.
The classic foosball table in the coffee kitchen is enough for a little variety in between, but not to stay active permanently.
Here there are several options in the office: special areas with integrated fitness elements or at least the integration of special office furniture.
Some companies offer their employees a complete fitness studio. But height-adjustable stand-sit tables with integrated Smart Office technology, ergonomic swivel chairs with 3D mechanics and standing mats with topographic structure also provide movement.
The office remains
– as a point of identification for employees.
The office should be a place that motivates employees to collaborate, lures them out of the home office and offers them a quiet place for concerted work: the home base for all employees.
Home office solutions for companies
The ASSMANN HOME company program offers a comprehensive, tailor-made and simple option for companies and employees to equip their home office quickly and reliably.
Orders can be placed easily through us or directly via the ASSMANN HOME online store. On request, the ordering system can also be integrated into your own intranet. Your benefit: loyal, motivated and, above all, healthier employees who are just as productive working from home as they are in the office.
Businesses should plan for the fact that in the future, only 65-70% of workstations may need to be designated as full screen workstations. This means space savings and possibly lower operating costs.
We think this makes it worthwhile to go into the office. Let’s set off together – towards the workplace of the future.
We’re happy to advise you on all aspects of New Work!