April 20, 2022
There’s a scene in the 1986 horror movie The Fly in which Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) persuades the reporter Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis) to try two steaks, one of which Brundle has just sent between two teleportation pods in an effort to work out why the pods can’t process organic matter, including the organic matter that had recently belonged to a very unfortunate baboon. More →
April 20, 2022
IN10 is now available to view online here. Print issues will be sent out next week. In this issue of IN Magazine, amongst other things: we cast an eye over three of the most talked about issues in the post pandemic era of work – the four day week, universal basic income and the metaverse; we visit the new offices of BT in Birmingham and see how the design has evolved over the two years since they were first announced; we meet Simone Fenton-Jarvis to discuss her new book and views on where we are; we explore the power of weak ties at work; ask why colour psychology seems to work, but not in the ways most commonly touted; ponder the effects of prolonged periods of isolation; wonder what we’ve done to our dogs; and look at the changing face of workplace art. All back issues of IN Magazine are available here.
March 29, 2022
The first Omnirama event on the 23rd of March launched the series exploring different factors challenging the world of work in a time of prevailing uncertainty. Underlying Ominirama’s raison d’etre is that recent events have turned the status quo on its head with some major structural and systemic changes taking place. Nobody seems to have any clear idea of how to deal with this enormous transformation in the ways we work All the playbooks and all the guidance that we have all relied upon for so many years have now gone out the window. More →
March 28, 2022
It should come as no great surprise to learn that data from Leesman, the world’s leading workplace analyst, found that the chair was seen by remote working employees as the second most important feature in creating a productive working from home environment. Cited by 90 percent of people, it was narrowly beaten into second place only by a desk or table (91 percent). A ‘mere’ 89 percent of people cited WiFi, which is what you may have assumed was the most important need of remote workers, especially given that Hierarchy of Needs meme we’ve all seen. That needs to be reworked because clearly broadband matters slightly less than comfort and safety. More →
March 25, 2022
In episode four of Workplace Geeks, Chris and Ian cross seven time zones to learn from the father of teleworking and environmental activist, Jack Nilles, about the multi-disciplinary research project that led to his 1976 book ‘The Telecommunications-Transportation Trade-off: Options for Tomorrow’. Teleworking has been proven to be an effective and valued part of hybrid working solutions since the 1970s. The barriers to implementation are rarely, if ever, technological or economic: they are cultural, often specifically managerial, and always have been. Despite this, tried and tested change methodologies can overcome these challenges. Now, more than ever, we need to embrace the many benefits of teleworking, not just for organizational and personal gain, but also as part of our strategies to address the climate emergency. More →
March 18, 2022
As we adapt to a new way of working, whether it be working from home (WFH) full-time, or hybrid working, now is the time to reassess our home office setup to ensure it works for us – day in, day out. Building on the success of its Belong collection designed specifically for home working, the Bisley Hideaway is designed to suit homes where space is at a premium. The firm has also introduced a new Swing Desk to its Hideaway range, to help you create a multipurpose yet well-organised workspace. More →
March 15, 2022
In the context of a second major economic shock from war in Ukraine and continuing inflationary concerns, the PWC / ULI report Emerging Trends in Real Estate Global Outlook 2022 focuses on the global outlook for the real estate industry increasing pressure for finance to support the decarbonisation of real estate. The industry challenges lenders and their regulators to provide debt for the retrofit of existing buildings and the scale-up of the ‘climate tech’ needed. More →
March 10, 2022
NewFlex, an operator of flexible offices and “space-as-a-service” solutions with fifty sites across the UK, has been appointed to curate and manage the incubator and innovation workspace community at the landmark London office 22 Bishopsgate. To be known as The Exchange (branded as XCHG) and specifically targeting start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, the c.14,000 sq ft flexible office and co-working space on level seven will be NewFlex’s most significant space as-a-service project to date, aiming to create a bespoke environment that fosters innovation. More →
March 8, 2022
A new survey claims that workers with access to workplace platforms and apps on their personal devices check notifications more regularly out of office hours than those without access. The Digital Detox survey, conducted by Just Eat for Business, claims to uncover workers’ habits towards breaks and computer use, focusing on screen time. The study also includes expert comments on the mental impact of skipping breaks, and offers advice on how to combat it. More →
March 8, 2022
Putting active commuting at the heart of ESG policies can shift commuters towards more sustainable forms of travel, improve individual health and wellbeing and help companies cut carbon emissions, new research from the British Council for Offices (BCO) has found. A new BCO research report, The Market Cycles II examines the rise of cycling in the UK over the past five years and its impact on office specifications. The report highlights that this period has seen an increase in cycling activity in the UK, with a particularly sharp rise in the past two years as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shift in travel habits, and a rise in active commuting. More →
March 1, 2022
Flexible office provider Mindspace has announced it will occupy 7,000 square meters of office space, a lobby and several roof terraces in Berlin’s FÜRST. The landlord for the project is the FÜRST Projektgesellschaft. The premises are part of the first construction phase of the district development, which was already completed in October 2020 on Berlin’s well-known Kurfürstendammwith a total of 19,000 square meters of commercial space and an additional parking garage with more than 500 parking spaces. In addition, Mindspace has also announced the appointment of its new global VP of Real Estate and Projects, Ana Nekhamkin.
The FÜRST Projektgesellschaft is developing a site of 20,000 square meters in the prime Kurfürstendamm location in an area that extends over 97,000 square meters of commercial rental space for retail, office, lifestyle and art. Based on the design of the architectural firm Kleihues + Kleihues, in addition to the revitalisation of an entire block, a new public square will be created for Berlin’s City West.
With Ku’damm being one of the most important shopping streets in Germany, Mindspace secures yet another flex office of over 7,000 square meters in a AAA Berlin location.
Besides FÜRST, Mindspace is opening a second new location in Berlin on Zimmerstraße, which marks the 10th German location for the company. The two new locations in Kurfürstendamm and Zimmerstraße are scheduled to open in July 2022 and both will be close in proximity to the three existing Mindspace offices on Berlin’s Friedrichstraße, Skalitzer Straße and Krausenstraße (pictured).
The new Mindspace Zimmerstraße can be found at the historic border of the Berlin Wall and covers 4,500 square meters on eight floors.
“Germany is a key market for Mindspace and our expansion in Berlin is one of the many to come. Currently our occupancy rate in Germany is over 95 percent and in some cities, even more. Mindspace is on a path of growth and we’re excited to have such great partners by our side for the journey,” says Oliver Lehmann, General Manager Mindspace Germany.
Mindspace currently operates 32 locations in 17 cities, and following their recent funding of $72 million of equity capital, the company is following through on its promise to continue expanding its proven offerings to meet the high demand. A significant part of the expansion is planned for Germany, and specifically Berlin as it’s a hub for startups, tech companies and creatives.
April 25, 2022
The studied carelessness of agile workplaces
by Mark Eltringham • Comment, Workplace design