As commercial real estate prices continue to rise, corporate tenants looking to scale quickly are looking for shorter term leases where they can add or reduce square footage as needed.
This has led to a major boom in coworking and flexible offices. While the sector only takes up less than 5% of the market, it is expected to take up 30% by 2030 according to JLL. So what can workers expect from the future of the office design moving forward?
Although open office plans have been known to be a modern way to enable collaboration, many workers have an issue with the lack of privacy and increased distractions. Now, many offices have started including soundproof privacy booths that include a desk and power outlets.
“The problem we’re solving is such a human problem,” said Morten Meisner-Jensen, co-founder of Room. “We need peace and quiet to do focused work. The way companies have migrated from single private offices to open plan layouts has not been done in the right way.”
Additionally, in order to gather more insight into how workers are using an office space, organizations will rely heavily on data-tracking. Using movement sensors and other digital tracking products, companies can adapt their space to the needs of their workers in real-time.
One of the most important factors for a healthy work environment is a sense of community, which are typically seen at coworking spaces. For example, female-oriented coworking operators The Wing and The Riveter offer networking events, workshops and panels that go beyond offering just a place to work.