Search Results for: change

Smart Building in action: Simac HQ integrates lighting, data and control

Smart Building in action: Simac HQ integrates lighting, data and control

TRILUX has delivered a connected lighting solution for the new Simac headquarters in Veldhoven, supporting the company’s ambition to create a smart, flexible and future-ready workplaceTRILUX has delivered a connected lighting solution for the new Simac headquarters in Veldhoven, supporting the company’s ambition to create a smart, flexible and future-ready workplace. Developed in collaboration with installer Kuijpers, the project transforms the former TechniekHuys into a modern office environment where lighting, data and building systems work together as part of a fully integrated smart ecosystem. Rather than constructing a new building, Simac opted to redevelop the existing TechniekHuys, creating a sustainable workplace that reflects its own technological expertise. The headquarters now acts as a live demonstration environment, incorporating a fully wireless smart building management system. (more…)

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

People are increasingly concerned that their job roles are becoming irrelevant

A new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job rolesA new report from Arden University suggests that while many UK workers recognise the growing pace of change in the workplace, only around half are actively developing new skills to keep up with new and emerging job roles. The survey of 2,000 UK employees found that 58 percent believe their industry is changing faster than before, yet only 51 percent said they are currently engaged in upskilling. The findings have been released as part of Arden University’s Future of Work and Learning Report. (more…)

Data centres are the most significant building type in the world right now. And we need to talk about that

Data centres are the most significant building type in the world right now. And we need to talk about that

Data centres have always been a slight anomaly in the Built Environment sector, part property and part critical infrastructure (talking in wattage rather than square footage for example), lacking aesthetic appeal and they are not significant employers, they are often considered a necessary evil to support our hyper-communicative lifestylesThe Data Centre Congress which took place from June 1st to 4th in Cannes is to data centres what mipim is to the more traditional markets in property, a place where the good and the great – from investors and operators, to the engineers and power providers, gather to network and contemplate the challenges and the future of the sector. In Q1 last year there was a slight chill through the sector after Microsoft halted data centre plans across the US and Europe to the tune of 2GW, citing caution around the overexpansion of AI and uncertainty around tariffs. What seemed like bombshell news at the time, felt like a mere blip and a distant memory at the 2026 edition and this juggernaut of activity is showing zero signs of slowing, a market that is currently worth over $300 billion is set to rise to $699.13 billion by 2034. (more…)

The ten emerging technologies set to transform the World in the near future

The ten emerging technologies set to transform the World in the near future

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has published its annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies Report, highlighting a group of scientific and technological advances that it believes are approaching a tipping point between research and widespread adoptionThe World Economic Forum (WEF) has published its annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies Report, highlighting a group of scientific and technological advances that it believes are approaching a tipping point between research and widespread adoption. Produced in collaboration with scientific publisher Frontiers and developed with the Dubai Future Foundation, the report focuses on innovations expected to reach significant commercial and societal scale within the next three to five years. According to the WEF, this year’s list reflects a broader shift towards technologies that are more distributed, personalised and resource-efficient, with potential implications for energy systems, healthcare, manufacturing, environmental management and digital security. (more…)

The role of safety training in healthier and better-managed workplaces

The role of safety training in healthier and better-managed workplaces

OSHA safety training gives organisations a formal way to build that clarity into working life. It helps employees understand the risks linked to their roleA healthy workplace is shaped by more than policies, posters, and annual compliance checks. Employees need clear guidance when they operate equipment, enter unfamiliar work areas, respond to an issue, or see a condition that does not look right. OSHA safety training gives organisations a formal way to build that clarity into working life. It helps employees understand the risks linked to their role and gives managers a stronger basis for setting expectations around safe behaviour, communication, and accountability. (more…)

People value autonomy and flexibility more than workplace technology

People value autonomy and flexibility more than workplace technology

People place greater value on autonomy and flexibility at work than on access to better workplace technology, according to new researchPeople place greater value on autonomy and flexibility at work than on access to better workplace technology, according to new research that suggests organisations may need to rethink how they approach workplace transformation projects. The survey found that a third of respondents (33 percent) identified autonomy as the most important element of a well-designed employee experience, while 30 percent cited flexibility. By comparison, 21 percent said improved digital tools were the most important factor and only 15 percent pointed to leadership that listens. The findings come at a time when organisations continue to invest heavily in artificial intelligence, automation and digital workplace programmes in an effort to improve productivity, engagement and performance. (more…)

Safeguarding your business from cybersecurity threats

Safeguarding your business from cybersecurity threats

Do you feel as though your business or organisation isn’t as secure as it could be? Maybe you feel as though you need to take steps to upgrade your cybersecurityDo you feel as though your business or organisation isn’t as secure as it could be? Maybe you feel as though you need to take steps to upgrade your cybersecurity, but at the same time, you’re not quite sure how to go about doing this. Either way, if this sounds like you, there are some things you can do to help yourself. (more…)

New hires fall to five-year low as UK labour market continues to soften

New hires fall to five-year low as UK labour market continues to soften

The number of people starting new jobs in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in five years, according to the latest labour market figuresThe number of people starting new jobs in the UK has fallen to its lowest level in five years, according to the latest labour market figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), adding to evidence of a gradual cooling in employment demand. The ONS said the labour market remained “broadly stable”, but several indicators pointed to weakening conditions. New recruitment fell to just under 540,000 people in April, the lowest monthly inflow since March 2021, while vacancies continued their long-running decline. (more…)

Navel gazing may not be the answer to the challenges facing workplace professions

Navel gazing may not be the answer to the challenges facing workplace professions

First published in 2016 and republished because the same conversation is happening yet again at the IWFM conference right now: An adherence to strongly held beliefs can make people think and behave in peculiar ways and get them tangled up in peripheral issues that take on a great deal of significance. Early religious artists, for example, spent centuries wrestling with the seemingly intractable problem of whether to depict Adam and Eve with belly buttons or not. (more…)

CIFF Shanghai plans to focus on design, digital technology and sustainability for 2026 event

CIFF Shanghai plans to focus on design, digital technology and sustainability for 2026 event

CIFF Shanghai has announced a new strategic direction for its 2026 exhibition, centred on design, digital intelligence and sustainabilityCIFF Shanghai has announced a new strategic direction for its 2026 exhibition, centred on design, digital intelligence and sustainability as the furniture industry responds to changing market demands and technological developments. The 58th edition of the trade fair will take place in September at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai Hongqiao. Organisers say the event is intended to function not only as a marketplace but also as a platform for innovation, industry collaboration and international exchange. (more…)

Optimizing your environment: principles from workplace to home

Optimizing your environment: principles from workplace to home

It's pretty amazing how the secrets to a productive, low-stress workplace are often the same ones that make a home feel restful and clear, even for public sector management.It’s pretty amazing how the secrets to a productive, low-stress workplace are often the same ones that make a home feel restful and clear, even for public sector management. Think about it: an office set up for focus and efficiency isn’t all that different from a home designed for relaxation. Once you get these basic ideas, you can really fine-tune both your work and personal spaces. This means you’ll get more done, feel less stressed, and generally enjoy life more. It all starts with realizing that your surroundings aren’t just background noise; they actually play a big part in how well you do each day. (more…)

Is being back in the office making you desk bound?

Is being back in the office making you desk bound?

According to the British Medical Bulletin, UK office workers spend up to three quarters of their day sittingMost UK offices were not designed with movement in mind. They were designed to fit as many people as possible into a given space, keep overheads manageable and ensure everyone had somewhere to plug in a laptop. According to the British Medical Bulletin, UK office workers spend up to three quarters of their day sitting. Scientific Reports puts it more precisely, between 68 percent and 82 percent of the working day is spent seated, the highest proportion of any occupation. (more…)