Re:thinking Work

The world is changing, so is how we work!

The story starts with the technological advancement of communication we have been living in for the past 10 years. The development of cameras, processing power, smart phones and internet connection enabled virtual capabilities to facilitate remote communication among humans in different geographies.

Just until 2 years ago, we still flew to meetings, workshops and gatherings. Virtual meetings were just a bridge between physical meetings. In 2019, I took over 60 flights, that is more than 1 flight per week, not counting the flights I missed. Yet I have worked on my laptop to finish work on most of those flights.

Since the breakout of Covid-19, the world forced a complete shutdown of its advanced mobility, and ever since there has been a debate about the future of work: physical vs virtual and everything in between aka Flexible Work.

Flexibility of spaces

In stark contrast, employees reported their desire to work outside traditional office. The study done by McKinsey & Company showed that more than 60% of employees prefer flexible work models, while more than 50% of executives? believe the office to be the primary center for work postpandemic. That is a major shift from prepandemic surveys.

Regardless of the work model outcome, we live today in a blurriness between private and work time. We do work activities from our homes, coffeeshops, trains, cars and every possible space.

While I am not saying that the world will turn completely virtual in a snap, it is hard to believe that how we work won’t change. Hence, the physical environment we work at will have to adapt.

With flexible work becoming location-agnostic, it’s worthwhile looking at the spaces we work from in terms of design, functionalities, amenities and community offerings.

Are coworking spaces the only answer?

In the current war for talent, tech companies have been the front-runners of flexible work models by offering fully remote work opportunities and investing in technology infrastructure that enable more flexible work. However, more people are feeling remote-work increasing the feel of isolation.?

So if the tech is there, what about the real state? Working from the office or remote, people still need spaces to work from.?

Analysts predict the number of coworking spaces worldwide will reach almost 20,000 during 2021, and around 40,000 by the end of 2024, according to the Global Coworking Growth Study 2020. An estimated five million people will be based in coworking spaces in 2024 – an increase of 158% on the current number.

Source: https://www.coworkingresources.org/blog/key-figures-coworking-growth

Work Beach Balance

Coworking spaces proved to offer middle-way solution. You get the flexibility of locations, as well as the vibrant feel of an office.?That shift in office design and application will result in new work models, innovation in office building design and wide-range of real estate products that serve the growing need of flexible work generation.

We need to rethink work in terms of spaces that empower us to be productive and inspire the creation new opportunities.

Won’t it be great if you could work while being on the beachfront?