Workplace trends 2021 - Capexus
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Workplace trends 2021
foreword
The events of 2020 were an impetus for a number of
services, including workplace design and
implementation, to seek new approaches, reassess
priorities and rapidly introduce innovations. The need
for change brought about by the coronavirus crisis
will certainly be reflected this year as well. CAPEXUS
examined proven sources while also contacting
experts in various fields to find out how their work
has changed and what trends they expect to see in
2021.
The outcome is a document divided into several
chapters, from workplace consultancy through
interior design to HR. It provides interesting insights
that will help give you an overview of the topic.
While the changes that await us cannot be predicted
with 100% accuracy, thinking about the future can at
the very least provide some interesting inspiration.
„Eventually a return to the office will be
welcomed. While people have enjoyed
working from home so far, over the
long-term they miss social interaction.“
Daniel Matula
Managing Partner, CAPEXUS
Workplace consultancy
responds to companies'
changing needs
Workplace consultancy is a long-term
and continuous process. The ability to
work from different locations within a
single workplace is increasing, but
technology must be prepared for this
flexible style of working. How does
Apolena Weissová perceive the
transformation and future changes in
the field?
APOLENA
WEISSOVÁ
Workplace Consultant, CAPEXUS
The field of workplace consultancy underwent
a change in 2020. What changes still await it?
Companies are waiting for the implementation of workplace
management systems and computer-assisted facility management since
common work routines have changed. Servicing requirements, creating
virtual communities and measuring space occupancy will become
simpler due to IoT sensors.
I would also like to draw attention to the possibility of applying a shorter
analytical process for adapting the workplace for the post-coronavirus
period without major construction modifications. This is a so-called quick
scan.
How are companies' views on workplace
consultancy changing?
Positively. There is general pressure to transform spaces in line with post-
Covid needs.
What do you think will most affect your
field in 2021?
The renaissance in how the main purpose of the office is understood. In
the past, offices were used primarily for individual work, with everyone
stuck to their own desk. Offices now are used mostly for meeting and
getting to know co-workers. In the same way, the concept of virtual-first
jobs – where no fixed place of work is specified – will gain traction.
APOLENA WEISSOVÁ
Flexibility: the new way
of working
As can be seen, work flexibility will be
one of the main workplace topics in
2021. We also asked Jana Špačková
how to effectively set up work
flexibility and what changes await us
next year.
JANA
ŠPAČKOVÁ Senior Consultant, FlexJobs
How have companies' views on work What approaches and technologies are
flexibility changed in 2020? currently the most popular in your field?
Very significantly. In spring 2020 we introduced the concept of work flexibility Primarily so-called hybridity: a hybrid way of working together, hybrid
as a competitive advantage, an engine of growth or an opportunity. This year it teams, hybrid communication and so on. The FACE model and approach
is already a standard, a new way of working. A company that fails to implement work well. It maps what specifics and what areas you need to know and
it and does not take a conceptual approach will lose. Work flexibility and its consider. In general, these approaches lead to a higher degree of
benefits and risks have been around for years, but this era is unprecedented. orientation towards people and the way they are managed, as well as data,
I see it as a positive that as a society we have taken a large-scale view of the way prioritization and simplification. Technologies for effective remote
of working in the 21st century. That's great. It will now be up to the companies communication and collaboration, such as Microsoft Teams, Google
and their management to choose how to position themselves. It cannot be Workspace, Zoom and others are experiencing an incredible boom. It's
overlooked that some people are better placed than others to take advantage great that they're available to more and more people, and most of them
of the new way of working. We help companies find a way to establish work already provide a high-quality experience.
flexibility that best meets their business and human needs. Simply put, we will
consider every shade of grey and together choose the three that suit the
company best.
What will most affect work flexibility in 2021?
From my point of view, this is the future of organizations as such. How to rewrite
your status quo and define it for the present. How to answer important
questions like:
1. Who are we? Do we have an appealing identity that we believe in and that
attracts and inspires people?
2. What is our operating model? Does our modus operandi support simplicity
and speed? How do we use digitization and flexibility for work and other
things?
3. How do we grow?
Take, for example, the automotive industry, where the thinking has shifted
from "Where do we locate production for cost optimization?" to "How do we
build an electric car?" or "What is our role in the ecosystem of autonomous
vehicles?" Are we making sufficient use of the opportunities, platforms and
ecosystems around us? (source McKinsey 6/2020 study). You will need to
establish or validate your vision.
JANA ŠPAČKOVÁ
The sharing trend will
be even more evident
in offices
From the point of view of architecture
and the very concept of offices, the
trend of sharing and the overall change
of approach will continue to make
headway. We asked Jakub Seči from the
architectural department of CAPEXUS
for details.
Jakub Seči Architect, CAPEXUS
Did 2020 change the view of architecture
in any way?
2020 did not change the view of architecture in terms of style. Nevertheless,
the view of the functional concept of office architecture is being
fundamentally altered. Offices were empty. People and employers are
learning to work more flexibly. The sharing trend will be even more evident in
offices. In 2021, employees will become even more aware that offices are not
just a place to work, but mainly to meet and share.
How will companies approach architecture?
Do you perceive a shift as an architect?
The goal of all companies is performance. This is reflected in the view of office
architecture. As I wrote in the answer to the first question, the view of the
functional use of space is changing – more flexibility of space, more emphasis
on meeting spaces instead of purely working spaces. The view of architecture
as design does not fundamentally change and is strongly individual.
What will affect architecture the most
next year?
The changing approach to the functioning of offices will affect our industry as a
whole. In the coming year, existing premises will be transformed. The need for
an individual approach to design will increase (not following trends, but
following needs), so that existing premises can be adapted at the lowest
possible cost to new functions, which will be different for each company.
Sustainability in various senses will become more important, from the use of
existing furniture for new spaces to the design of more universal pieces of
furniture. In design, I believe we will return more to the idea of minimalism.
JAKUB SEČI
A home environment
even at the workplace,
while maintaining safety
Architect Jakub Seči discussed possible
changes to office furnishings. We decided
to take a closer look at this area together
with other experts from the CAPEXUS
team. Alice Brádková and Immo Bellman
answered the questions.
Alice Brádková
Cost Manager, CAPEXUS
Immo Bellman
Head of Interior Furnishings, CAPEXUS
What trends set the direction in interior
design in 2020 and why?
Ideas originating in 2019 about coworking, the use of natural materials
and the notion of approximating a home environment have caught up.
Great emphasis was placed on office flexibility and the ability to quickly
adapt space to current needs, for example, in terms of desks, etc. Since
mid-year, the need to protect employees has increased, whether in the
form of passive protection (windshields for reception desks, screens in
workplaces), or changes in operation such as a lower density of people to
the installation of various hygiene aids. Of course, all this also affected the
furniture and furnishings. We must mention the much greater use of
technology to communicate with clients and people within teams.
What will change your field the most?
Ongoing changes in the way we work. The number of standard
workplaces will decline, but coworking, relaxation and meeting areas will
be expanded. The impact of the pandemic on office furnishings has also
been cited by Bene, one of our suppliers of office furniture. It believes that
offices must be transformed to meet the necessary safety measures and
for people to feel safe in them. Only then can they be productive. At the
same time, it assumes that the pace of digitization will increase. We are
currently experiencing the largest stress test of the concept of
teleworking. Companies see that it works in principle, but employees and
managers also perceive the challenges they face when they are not in the
office. Companies and employees had to rethink their views on these
issues as they gained new insights. When working remotely, there is a lack
of personal exchange of opinions and natural interaction with colleagues.
ALICE BRÁDKOVÁ, IMMO BELLMANCollaboration from
anywhere
The unexpected and rapid move to
teleworking in 2020 caught companies
unprepared for long-distance
communication of the required quality.
Jiří Plátek describes how audio-visual
technology and the approach to it had to
change.
Jiří Plátek
Workplace Technology Specialist, AV MediaWhat solutions attracted the greatest What is the biggest change you expect in
interest in 2020 and what changes have 2021?
there been in your field? Gartner named a total of nine strategic technology trends for 2021. In
terms of so-called digital offices, these may be expected to be IoB
Video conferencing. The beauty of it is that we can be available from anywhere in (Internet of Behaviours), TX (Total Experience) and operation from
the world. We can sit in the office, connect from the comfort of home or anywhere. These three trends will significantly affect the design of digital
coworking spaces. But this form of remote communication also has its rules. office space.
Many of us have experienced attending a virtual meeting. We realized that
completely new skills were important. In combination with the hybrid model of
work, we have found that the freedom to work from anywhere has given us a
degree of satisfaction and productivity while allowing us to set our own work life Which solution is currently growing in
balance. With this model of work, organizations can effectively involve, engage
and offer people more flexibility and security.
popularity the most and why?
People want to adapt their work preferences in office spaces, just like in
their modern vehicles, to make them feel flexible. Shared jobs will become
commonplace. The ratio of employees to one job will increase significantly.
Imagine you are holding your mobile phone with an app installed on it. The
app allows you to share the floor plan of all office spaces with colour
indicators. In the app, you can determine which desks and spaces are
available and clean. You can book everything online using the app. Thanks
to integrated AV technology, meeting rooms can be adapted to human
needs and work scenarios: a projector with a screen is automatically
launched for group collaboration or brainstorming, an interactive display
with a digital whiteboard is activated for creative work, video conferencing
is initiated for hybrid collaboration with remote participants, and for
individual concentrated work, the temperature, lighting and acoustics are
set so that we feel comfortable in the space.
Sensors throughout the office will keep us safe. The sensors will
continuously evaluate not only the flow of fresh air, but also the
temperature, humidity, CO2 level or intensity of natural and artificial
lighting. Other evaluations will include a warning about the degree of
social distance and the possible exceeding of the permitted number of
people in a particular workspace. Why? Because this information is
important for our health and safety! Through the mobile app we can
conveniently book parking spaces, wellness areas, kitchens or rooms for
relaxation and rest. You can use your mobile phone to open an elevator,
the door to a particular floor or a conference or meeting room. Everything
will be fully automated and available in clear visual reports.
JIŘÍ PLÁTEKA safe working environment and virus-free air We asked Antonín Krejčík about changes in the field of building technology and especially air quality. Antonín Krejčík Senior Project Manager HVAC, CAPEXUS
What changes have offices undergone in
terms of air quality and circulation and what
changes can we still expect?
The existing ventilation systems of office buildings are in most cases
fresh air systems, which means that they supply 100% fresh air to the
space and are designed for the hygienic minimum as regards the
amount of air based on the applicable legislation. The changes will
mainly concern heat recovery. In the case of a plate heat exchanger the
air streams do not meet, meaning there is no risk of possible
contamination of the supply air by the exhaust air. But in the case of a
rotary heat exchanger, the air may become contaminated. The air is
circulated as part of the cooling and heating of offices, e.g. by fan coil
units (FCU) or cooling beams. I should mention here the regular
replacement of the FCU filtration, as dust and coarse dirt settles on the
filters. The degree of filtration is coarse, the basic degree G. The cooling
beams do not have filters, as the cooling effect is achieved by induction
and there is no fan in them as there is in FCU.
What about new methods of decontamination?
These are starting to appear on the market and in our implementations.
New methods of decontaminating the indoor environment include, for
example, various UV and bactericidal lamps. An interesting solution is
also FCU with Crystall electrostatic precipitators that remove up to 96%
of fine particles of 0.1 - 0.15 µm, i.e. also viruses.
ANTONÍN KREJČÍKBuildings are getting
smarter
Technologies also affect the
management of entire buildings. We
talked to Petr Bořuta, Marketing
Manager at Spaceflow, a start-up that is
digitizing buildings for their more
efficient use, about possible changes in
this field.
Petr Bořuta
Marketing Manager, SpaceflowWhat functions and services at Spaceflow
have seen the biggest rise in popularity?
Landlords are most interested in technologies that support contactless
access, such as opening doors using mobile phones, booking meeting
rooms online or monitoring capacity, all from a single mobile application.
For example, for Allianz we introduced real-time monitoring of the
company's canteen capacity at its Vienna headquarters. Undoubtedly,
the need for digital communication has increased. The main task of
landlords and companies is to convince employees to return and to
reassure them that common areas are safe again. Innovation is one way
in which office landlords can differentiate themselves from the
competition.
How do you think companies are changing
their view of building digitization?
We are seeing much greater interest in digitization. In the past, we took
cautious steps and implemented pilot projects on selected buildings. Now
landlords are interested in digitizing their entire portfolio of buildings. At
the same time, much more emphasis is beginning to be placed on healthy
buildings, i.e. various certifications, the correct setting of air exchange
systems or the cleanliness of common areas.
Do you expect one specific change that will
fundamentally affect your field in 2021?
People are looking for one fundamental innovation that will change
everything, but from my point of view there is no such thing. Technologies
are already available and large-scale implementation is enough to change
that. In fact, it doesn't even have to be complicated or expensive. For some
clients, progress is just the ability to communicate via chat with anyone in
the building. The existence of the application significantly streamlines
communication with tenants and the solution of requirements.
PETR BOŘUTATowards greater comfort
and a more pleasant
environment
Changes in offices and the approach to
understanding the organization of work
will also be reflected in areas that aim to
make office life as pleasant as possible.
When returning to the office,
employees must be persuaded that it
provides benefits that working from
home cannot. We therefore decided to
make an excursion into the world of
acoustics, specifically at one of our
suppliers. Jan Kaňka from SilentLab
answered our questions.
Jan Kaňka
Founder, SilentLabHow has the field of office acoustics
changed in 2020?
For us, with the advent of the first wave of Covid, it has changed immensely. Most
companies have frozen or severely reduced investment in acoustic solutions. This has
significantly affected our ongoing and planned projects. From the point of view of
companies, investment in acoustics is often something dispensable and easy to cut in
a crisis. Some projects were cancelled or postponed indefinitely. Fortunately, the
situation is different today. Projects in the Czech Republic and abroad are going
ahead with only minor delays.
Which acoustic products will grow in
popularity the fastest in 2021 and why?
We believe the MICROOFFICE-type products will be the most popular. This is due
to greater emphasis on a sense of privacy and the need for a quiet workspace
within open offices.
What do you think will affect the field of
acoustics the most next year?
Changing work habits and more work from home, which will affect how offices
function. They will become a more interactive space where people will primarily meet
other colleagues. This will make them an even noisier environment requiring acoustic
solutions.
Are you planning any new products in 2021?
Yes, we are going to both improve our existing products (mainly MICROOFFICE) and
come up with some completely new ones. But I won't discuss specifics yet.
JAN KAŇKAChanging companies'
views on flowers, both
inside and outdoors
Flowers also can contribute to a more
pleasant environment. Ondřej Valta, a
sales representative at Flower Service,
talked to us about possible changes for
2021 in the field of interior and exterior
greenery.
Ondřej Valta
Sales Representative, Flower ServiceHave companies' opinions about interior and exterior
flowers changed in 2020?
In our experience they did not change in any significant way in 2020. However, a trend can be observed
on the part of clients, who are placing more emphasis on the design solution of greenery. This primarily
means how suitable containers for plants are selected.
Many clients are interested in unusual flowerpot designs that complement and underline the chosen
design solution for the entire space. It is about the colour, but also the size and number of plants and
pots in the space. They are looking for alternatives to the standard rows of flowerpots.
What flowers are attracting the most interest?
From the above, one would think that clients will be increasingly interested in unusual plant container
designs. Our offer reflects this fact and has expanded with a new series of flowerpots in various finishes,
colours, shapes and sizes. As for indoor plants, no significant changes can be expected in terms of what
clients are interested in. In most cases, they prefer the standard plant species that have stood the test of
time for use in interiors (especially in commercial real estate). By the same token, these plant species are
bred and cultivated specifically to be used in these interiors and with regard to the characteristics of
these spaces. Next year one can expect continued interest in vertical green walls, which are nowadays a
popular solution for interior greenery, especially in commercial real estate. However, the planned
placement of vertical greenery is not always suitable for live plants, and therefore the placement of
mossy walls will continue to be a suitable alternative.
In your opinion what will be the next big thing in your
field next year?
According to the emerging trends in the market of interior plants and decorations and judging by the
demands of our clients, several new trendy products can be expected in the coming year. These are
mainly innovations associated with an emphasis on design. As part of the sale and rental of plants, these
are new, unusual lines of designer flowerpots that complement the architecture and design of any space.
At the same time, these designer products are characterized by their functionality, which is required in
the regular plant-care service that we offer. Another novelty that is gaining ground in the market and can
be expected to attract a lot of interest are two products from the vertical green wall segment. These are
"Green Screens" and "Smart Walls", which respond to the new trend of separating the workspaces in
open-space offices. Currently, these new products also address trends in the separation of social spaces,
where a larger number of people are located in the same place. These are mainly open-space offices,
restaurants and hotel spaces.
ONDŘEJ VALTALet's take a positive look at 2021
In 2020, we experienced first-hand a society-wide change that affected
practically all areas of work and private life. It suddenly became necessary
to adapt to new rules and restrictions. However, readiness for change and
openness should be among the basic features of a modern company,
regardless of the circumstances.
Looking at the whole document, one thing is clear. If any concept plays a
major role in 2021, it will be flexibility. Not only the offices themselves must
be adaptable, but also the way in which they work in a team, the
technology or the processes themselves. Implemented changes and
decisions need to be further optimized. The good news is that if you haven't
started transforming your office for post-Covid needs yet, you now have the
opportunity to rely on functional and proven solutions.
„In the years to come, companies should first focus
analytically on how they work in the office and then
determine the number of square metres they need
from there.“
Karel Konečný
Partner, CAPEXUSthe path to a better workplace environment
CAPEXUS provides comprehensive design & build
services and workplace consultancy according to
the latest trends in architecture and interior design.
Over 10 years, we have created new work
environments for more than 400 companies with
an area of 500,000 m², from dynamic start-ups to
large corporations.
More than 100 professionals specializing in
architecture, design, expertise in the field of work,
construction, building technology and turnkey
interior delivery.
CAPEXUS is a founding member of the Studio
Alliance, which brings together leading European
workplace experts.
,,If you have found inspiration for
your workplace here, we will be
happy to customize a project for
you.“
Monika Younis, Director, CAPEXUSWe are here for you.
Radim Petlach
Head of Marketing & PR
radim.petlach@capexus.cz
+420 725 352 863You can also read
