The shape of space to come

A number of different working patterns are likely to emerge post-pandemic. Some companies will certainly choose to return to their offices. Other organisations will opt for remote working, with employees occasionally coming into the office. It is estimated that approximately 20 pct of employees will want to work in this way. The third and most popular choice is the option of working under a hybrid model that combines in-office and remote work – for example, both working from home and in coworking space. What are the advantages that such space will need to have to best serve its users in the new reality?

Coworking communities

During the pandemic many employees have complained about the lack of social bonding. That’s why coworking space designed to foster communities is likely to become even more attractive going forward.

“A functional fit-out, excellent coffee, areas for conversations and social bonding and after-work drinks will all encourage connection-building and improve the coworking experience. For a coworking community to have the highest value, the space should be leased to a variety of companies, both corporate clients and small start-ups. This will open up an opportunity for experience sharing and networking,” insists Aleksander Szybilski, the leader of workplace strategy and an associate director in the office department at Cushman & Wakefield in Poland.

A network of locations

The location of a head office can have a significant influence on the choice of the dominant work model. Locations that are not so well connected will be less favoured if the work can be done without having to commute. It is location accessibility that is most worth considering when looking for the right niche for a strong coworking network.

“The winners will be those coworking providers operating in multiple locations, both across individual cities and the whole country. It would certainly be very convenient and beneficial for companies with employees living in dispersed places to sign a single contract with a provider of coworking space in many locations,” comments Dominika Kowalska, an associate director of workplace strategy in the office department at Cushman & Wakefield in Poland.

Coworking as a fringe benefit

According to the experts, in the future employers will be able to issue coworking cards to be used, for instance, in a similar way to Multisport cards.

“There are already apps on the market that give employees access, for example, to conference rooms and whatever coworking space they need. This has allowed us to carry out an analysis of the kinds of space favoured by employees. Since including all types of flexible office in a single app is not so straightforward, it will probably be quite some time before such tools are developed. But this approach is definitely worth keeping an eye on,” explains Dominika Kowalska.

Flexibility

Out of a greater sense of caution, small and medium-sized enterprises are likely to opt for coworking space rather than long office leases. Access to such space will be particularly important to companies in expansion mode and in need of larger areas, or those moving from project to project and whose project teams periodically increase in size.

“Companies that have previously preferred to have an office of their own – however small it might have been – are now finding it more profitable to operate out of coworking space. One significant advantage of this option is the flexibility of the space when it comes to upsizing and downsizing. When a company grows, there’s no need to wait for a new architectural design or to adapt the space. Coworking providers can offer ready-to-occupy space that can be used according to each company’s requirements and capabilities,” says Aleksander Szybilski.

Adaptation

The pandemic has certainly led to the reshaping of offices. Looking ahead, it will be the kind of coworking space that adapts best to the new reality that will gain the upper hand. The current trend is to increase the allocation of square metres per person. As coworking space has to be profitable, this is not always a financially viable proposition. There will also be more demand for small rooms for working in individually or in small groups. Since teleconferencing is very likely to stay with us, we will need more space for confidential conversations. Workspace will clearly remain important, but it will not be the most important factor. Other key factors will include being able to manage a dispersed team, knowing how to communicate and when to have virtual or face-to-face meetings. The decentralisation of companies is a trend that is set to continue.

About C&W

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. It is among the largest real estate services firms with approximately 50,000 employees in 400 offices and 60 countries. In 2020, it generated revenue of USD 7.8 bln from its core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, valuation and other services.