The smarter the better
Schneider Electric’s IntenCity in Grenoble, France, makes an intelligent use of SageGlass technology
As workplaces strive to win the war on talent and overcome an existential crisis, proptech applications are transforming the safety and utility of offices
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fter a winter besieged by yet another COVID-19 variant, many firms have seen their return-to-theworkplace plans set back yet again. But in the midst of an existential crisis about the future of offices, dedicated proptech applications offer a beacon of hope. The number of real estate technology startups focusing on the workplace increased exponentially during the global health crisis, and with good reason. Lockdowns forced firms to not only issue employees with the necessary equipment to be able to function remotely — they drove a wholesale audit of which processes were already digital, and which could be brought online. Secondly, the slow but certain return or workers to offices — even if only part time — has required a
new attention to the use of spaces, from both a logistical and wellness perspective. “Technology plays a pivotal role in workplace optimisation. For example, booking apps with occupancy analytics platforms are increasingly important,” says Andrew Hallissey, executive managing director, occupier services, EMEA at Colliers. “Beyond providing basic workstation and/or area booking, these tools are also beginning to incorporate additional features, including insight into the live availability of spaces; visualisations and mapping of individuals/teams in the office and occupancy levels; and recording of occupancy trends and analytics to adjust for future needs.” He adds: “Looking ahead, predictive and dynamic analytics will likely be added that suggest workstations or spaces based on previous work patterns.”
[Photo credit] ©Valentin Napoli
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At the height of the pandemic, businesses tried a range of protocols to make their offices immediately habitable. Services firm Cushman & Wakefield unveiled its 6 Feet Office concept, with checklists recommending everything from cleaning plans to improving HVAC systems, controlling entry points and reconfiguring gathering and lobby areas for social distancing. Temperature screening devices, hand sanitiser dispensers and plexiglass shields all made their debut in many offices. Employees were also encouraged to schedule their presence around colleagues, to either avoid or coincide with the attendance of others. But as businesses plan for 2022 and beyond, while pandemic precautions remain relevant, it is clear that workplaces must shift back into indefinite operational mode rather than a state of emergency. This must also include creating attracting and appealing spaces, not
just to enhance existing employee productivity, but to win over new talent in a competitive environment. “Offices are going through a time of transformation,” says Damien Soler, group key account director, BMI Group. “They need to both attract tenants and reflect corporate brands more than ever. Aspects such as quality communal spaces have been linked to performance.” For BMI Group, a firm specialising in the manufacture of high-tech roofing materials, the sky really is the limit. Recent transformations for occupiers including L’Oreal in France and Vodafone in Italy have created sustainable, communal spaces on the roofs of their offices to solve a number of issues. “With space at a premium in city offices, being able to move some functions to the roof is very useful,” Soler says. “You can do lots of things apart from just a regular roof ter-
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