Future Office

Creating the Network Office: A Vision for Future Workspaces

In 2021 and beyond, successful offices will need to evolve into dynamic spaces that attract top talent by fostering connectivity, flexibility, and wellbeing. Our vision outlines three key strategies to achieve this:

Open Networks for Diversity and Community
Workspaces should connect employees to the city’s vibrant diversity, offering opportunities to build personal networks and explore various industries and work styles. By embedding workplaces within the local knowledge and community fabric, businesses can create an environment where people thrive on meaningful interactions and diverse experiences.

Collaborative and Flexible Workspaces
Flexible, co-working spaces should promote collaboration and serendipitous encounters within and across organizations. This approach fosters a cross-organizational, 24-hour working environment, where creativity and innovation flourish.

Prioritizing Health and Wellbeing
Integrating health and wellbeing into daily work life is essential. Recognizing the connection between physical and mental health, productivity, and happiness, future workplaces must provide infrastructure that supports holistic wellness.

We believe people will increasingly view cities as interconnected networks of people, facilities, and opportunities. To align with this shift, offices must be restructured in three transformative ways:

1. Divide floor space into approximately 25% dedicated ‘front door’ areas for company-specific branding and 75% shared co-working zones. This model enables businesses to scale and collaborate easily without relocation while giving employees access to diverse workspaces.

2. Utilize the ground floor as an extension of the street, fostering connections with the surrounding community. Flexible spaces can facilitate brand interactions with the public, support cultural activities, and contribute to the viability of shared spaces by integrating the night-time economy.

3. Provide facilities that enhance employee health and wellbeing. These could include cycling amenities, roof gardens, healthy eating options, biophilic design that connects people with nature, and integrating public spaces like Wi-Fi-enabled cafes and parks into the expanded office network.

Offices designed this way will form a city-wide network, allowing companies and employees to work flexibly across multiple locations. This network will promote interaction, diversity, adaptability, and a stronger focus on health and wellbeing, making it a natural fit for today’s enterprising workforce.

The Network Office will redefine the workplace by seamlessly integrating it with the city’s pulse. It will become a hub of interaction, diversity, and flexibility, creating an environment that supports innovation and attracts the brightest talent.