THE SMARTER, THE BETTER

As workplaces strive to win the war on talent and overcome an existential crisis, proptech applications are transforming the safety and utility of offices

After 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.” 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-

Schneider Electric’s IntenCity in Grenoble, France, makes an intelligent use of SageGlass technology

race. You can put a running track or a gym up there, create a farm or a garden. He adds: “You can also make big strides in terms of sustainability. At Vodafone, we installed patented tech on the roof called Noxite, a surfacing material which degrades nitrogen oxide from the atmosphere, and transforms the harmful gas into a nitrate. We also have solutions to manage water on roofs, which is an increasingly pressing issue considering flash floods and other freak weather conditions caused by climate change. By introducing a buffer, you can both comply with increasing regulations around stormwater discharge, and channel it to water green roofs.” SageGlass, innovative window tech from Saint-Gobain, seeks to minimise a building’s energy demand thanks to its dynamic properties. By adapting the amount of solar heat entering the building to the occupants’ needs, SageGlass enables the building to benefit from passive heating during cold times, and to limit the cooling loads during the hottest periods. In its most tinted state, SageGlass can block up to 95% of the sun heat, allowing smaller HVAC systems to be installed as a result. SageGlass also optimises indoor daylight exposure all year long, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Recent use-cases include the Nestlé HQ in Switzerland, the Google HQ in India, and the Vinci HQ in France.

Other tech applications are focused on improving offices through the front door. Steve Van Till, CEO of Brivo says that his firm is helping companies get employees back into the office through solutions built around building access. Van Till says: “Access control has become the fourth utility in commercial properties, alongside water, electricity and HVAC. It is one of the things that you need to operate any piece of real estate. We’ve also moved access into the cloud, which allows its remote management — a crucial requirement for all businesses during the pandemic.” He adds: “When the pandemic struck, the wellness-related features and occupancy management capabilities made available on our mobile and visitor management platform helped all kinds of companies adapt. Going forward, businesses still want to track how many people enter and move through an office, and we can create and manage the data through our solutions to make spaces better in the future.”

Siemens Real Estate is a major player in the successful implementation of workplace technology. According to the firm, Siemens Smart Infrastructure products are increasingly being used to make sure that face-to-face meetings, as well as opportunities for exchange and co-operation, can be viable in the future. Recent innovations include intelligent heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technology that automatically adjusts to the occupancy of the offices, complemented by state-of-the-art filter and air purification tech. Meanwhile Siemens’ smart-phone app Comfy connects building data in real time with additional sources for the user, creating a comprehensive information portal around the workplace. This starts with arrival and departure schedules for local public transport, and ranges from current weather information to the daily specials in canteens, cafes and restaurants. Meeting rooms or work desks can also be booked directly from the app. Hallissey concludes: “We believe the office market faces a renaissance over the coming years. Progressive organisations are focusing on employee and customer experience that leverages the physical and digital experience to optimise productivity, build organisational culture, support employee wellness and enhance business results.”

Steve Van Till, founder and CEO, Brivo

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Tombola House in Sunderland benefits from SageGlass tech

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